This is an ancient paradise, this Klein Karoo. With rocks as old as 800 million years where man has lived for a hundred thousand years and a hundred thousand more, even the meanings of place names have been lost in time. And whilst the men and women of the San and Khoekhoe tribes are gone - the people who might once have translated names like Attakwaskloof, Kamanassie, Outeniqua and Gamka - their spirit lives on in the mountains which encircle the Klein Karoo.
The coming of the first European explorers in 1689 - a party of 20 under the leadership of the Dutch ensign Isaac Schrijver - marked the end of the Stone Age and the beginning of the end for the Khoekhoe people of the Klein Karoo. In a little less than two hundred years, the area was transformed into an important commercial farming centre which, for a few brief glorious years at the beginning of the 20th century, became the world’s greatest producer of ostrich feathers.
But feathers quickly lost their sparkle and the town settled back into its sleepy, rural ways. And the Klein Karoo, this massive cradle nestled in the folded mountains of the Western Cape - with the Garden Route to the south and the dry Great Karoo to the north - is today as silent and peaceful as it ever was.
History of Oudtshoorn
The history and development of Oudtshoorn is inextricably connected with the growth of the ostrich feather industry from as early as 1860. By the turn of the twentieth century (during the Edwardian Period) the use of prime ostrich feathers in ladies’ clothing was high fashion, especially in England and Europe.
Feathers were light and easily imported and fetched incredibly high prices. The resultant prosperity had a profound effect on Oudtshoorn and its immediate environment.
Numerous immigrants, particularly the Jews of Eastern Europe, were drawn to the “boom” town, mostly because their relatives and friends had already established contact by “smousing” (trading).
Oudtshoorn acquired such a large Jewish community at the time that it became known as “little Jerusalem”. With so much money available, the town expanded rapidly. More churches were built as well as many public (schools) and commercial buildings.
The farming community, who had suddenly become extremely rich, vied with each other to display their wealth and built magnificent “Ostrich Feather Palaces” decorated and embellished with stained glass windows, turrets and handsome cast-iron work (locally known as “broekielace” - cast-iron decorations that remind one of the lace decoration on ladies’ underwear).
Several of these “Ostrich Feather Palaces” are still to be viewed in Oudtshoorn and its immediate environment. The distinctive sandstone used for these buildings was readily available because it was locally quarried. The skill of the Scottish stonemasons, originally imported for the building of the Dutch Reformed Church (“Moederkerk” - Mother Church) is evident in these fine buildings.
A number of well-known architects such as Charles Bullock, George Wallace and J.E. Vixeboxse opened offices in Oudtshoorn and were responsible for the design of many an Ostrich Palace.
Even today their designs provide a distinctive architectural heritage for Oudtshoorn, reflecting the opulence of the Ostrich Feather Boom of 1860—1914.
It was primarily the invention of the motor car and the advent of the First World War that brought the Ostrich Feather Boom Era to an end. Faster open vehicles played havoc with the ladies’ splendid feather decorated fashions and fashion trends in 1914 and onwards were generally more sober and less flamboyant.
The Klein Karr falls under Western Cape Provincial Parliament . It is housed in Cape Town and has a total of 42 members. The Fourth Provincial Parliament was elected in the election of 22 April 2009; 22 seats are held by the Democratic Alliance, 14 by the African National Congress, 3 by the Congress of the People, 2 by the Independent Democrats, and 1 by the African Christian Democratic Party.
The Western Cape swung heavily to the DA, which won outright the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality, as well as 11 of the 24 local municipalities in the province. In a further four local municipalities the DA was the largest party but did not hold a majority of seats. The ANC won outright only the Beaufort West Local Municipality, and was the largest party in the Cederberg Local Municipality but did not hold a majority there. Five local municipalities were evenly split between the ANC and the DA, with other parties holding the balance of power. In the Kannaland Local Municipality, the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa won a plurality of three seats while the ANC and the DA won two each; a similar situation obtained in the Prince Albert Local Municipality, where the Karoo Gemeenskaps Party won three seats and the ANC and the DA two each
The Klein Karoo Kannaland is a semi-desert broken by unexpected, lush river valleys.
Montagu
Montagu, with its muscadel wines, is also known as the "little Switzerland", is the gateway to the Klein Karoo landscape. Between Ashton and Montagu you pass through a small tunnel, built in the 19th century, on top of which is Fort Sidney built by Thomas Baines in the 1899 Anglo Boer War. When you enter Montagu you will travel along historic Long Street, lined with 14 national monuments built in Cape Dutch, Victorian and Georgian style.
The museum has a very interesting medical herb garden. Relax in the healing waters of the mineral springs or visit the water fowl breeding camp. Well worth experiencing is the Montagu tractor-trailer ride, as it takes you to the summit of the Langeberg Mountains for a breathtaking view over the valleys of the Klein Karoo. With its very dry, healthy climate Montagu offers hiking trails, mountain biking, guided cultural tours and some of the best rock climbing in South Africa
Barrydale
Barrydale is a lovely village at the Route 62. There is a fertile valley lying between the coastal belt and the Karoo, enclosed by the Langeberg and Swartberg mountain ranges. To call this region the Little Karoo is a misnomer. Geographically, geologically and scenically it is not part of the Karoo but supports unique features of it’s own that ensure its place as a very special part of South Africa. The region was referred to as Kannaland on a map produced in 1843, this name being derived from the genus, Kanna. This area has a higher rainfall than the Karoo, which gave rise to permanent populations of Quena or Hottentot people of the Attaqua tribe in the low lying floor of the valley and to the Bushmen/Khoisan, who inhabited the mountains.
Ladismith
The village was named after one of the great beauties of the time, Lady Juana Smith, Spanish-born wife of Sir Harry Smith the governor of the Cape. As there was a second Ladysmith in Natal the founders opted for the name Ladismith with an I. Ladismith is situated at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountains. An unforgettable landmark is Towerkop (2 200m) wit its curiously split peak. The locals say that an angry witch flew overhead and struck the mountain with her wand, causing the split and giving it the name 'bewitched peak'. The area benefited from the ostrich feather boom more than a hundred years ago. The town boasts some unusual architectural styles, like the neo-gothic Otto Hager church, Victorian, Georgian, karoo (rural) and Ladismith styles (simplified Georgian). The Ladismith Klein Karoo Nature Reserve is 4km out of town. The vegetation consists mainly of Spekboom and Karooveld. Eland, mountain zebra, Springbok etc. can be seen here.
Amalienstein
Amalienstein and Zoar are situated halfway between Ladismith and Calitzdorp. Zoar was established in 1816 and was named after the biblical Zoar on the Red Sea. The property next to Zoar was bought by the Berlin Missionary Society and named after Baroness Amalie von Stein, a benefactor of the society. Both villages boast lush gardens developed over the years. CJ Langenhoven one of South Africa's famous literature figures was born close to Amalienstein.
Calitzdorp
Calitzdorp often called the port capital, offers a variety of attractions, from ostriches to superb architecture, Bushmen rock art and some of the rarest plants in the world.
Very popular are the Calitzdorp Spa hot mineral baths. In the vicinity are the rare "Red Hills" which have enabled geologists to trace the earth's development over the last 600 to 800 million years. The ocean left red-tinted deposits against the Klein Karoo Mountains over 125 million years ago. This phenomenon is said to be found at only two other places in the world.
Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is called the feather capital of the world. Oudtshoorn is synonymous with ostriches. Get exposed to the largest and most exotic non-flying bird in the world. Visit one of the ostrich farms and try your hand at riding one.
The region was settled in the early 19th century, and the town was proclaimed in 1863. Oudtshoorns development is closely linked to the ostrich feather boom. Before the first world war feathers were highly fashionable for ladies hats and clothing in Europe and the USA. The ostrich farmers around Oudtshoorn came to be known as the feather barons. A male ostrich would yield 10 kg of feathers a year and they commanded incredible prices. At the height of the boom before the first world war there were more than 700.000 ostriches in the region. Great mansions and villas were built by the feather barons that can still be seen today. Some of them function as hotels and guest houses. After the war feathers became unfashionable and have never recovered their position.
Today the industry has recovered as the complete bird is marketed. Feathers are used for fashion and dusters; the popular skins are used for handbags, shoes, suitcases, bags and wallets. The CP Nel Museum is a striking sandstone building, completed in 1907 in the height of the boom. Extensive displays of the history of Oudtshoorn, the feather boom and the history of the Karoo are shown. There is a reconstructed grocery shop and a rural synagogue.
De Rust
De Rust is 35 km's from Oudtshoorn on the southern end of the Meiringspoort Pass. To get to De Rust you can take the R29 north from Oudtshoorn or the N12 south from Beaufort West. Donkey cart rides are the ideal way to see some of the interesting attractions in the area. The attractions include the Meiringspoort Pass and the waterfall. You can also sample some of the local wines and a local schnaps called Witblits (White Lightning). Called white lightning due to the very high alcohol content (60%).
Uniondale
Uniondale, a small town in the Little Karoo, South Africa, came about by the joining of two towns (Hopedale & Lyon) in 1856.
Initially known for its wagon building and ostrich feather industries, which later waned and left a quaint farming town. Uniondale lies next to the Langkloof and is predominantly a sheep, goat, seed and apple farming community.
Uniondale is linked to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay (a mere 85km away) by the stunningly beautiful Prince Alfred's Pass.
The pass was designed and built by Thomas Baines and still has the original hand packed stone retaining walls.
Prince Albert
Prince Albert is a delightful South African village in the Karoo, which is part of the Western Cape. Although we live in an arid region we are blessed with water from the Swartberg Mountains and the village is a little oasis. Prince Albert enjoys a superb climate, with one of the highest sunshine index and spectacular night skies. The village is a small gem, with beautifully preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings - 13 of which are National Monuments. Prince Albert is known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, especially figs and apricots. In the Prince Albert Valley , to the south of the village, farmers are restoring vineyards last farmed in the 19th century. Karoo lamb, olives, olive oil and cheese are local delicacies. The Cultural History Museum in Prince Albert depicts the history of the town and its environment. The antiques and artifacts were collected largely by Fransie Pienaar, but the collection is still growing, through donations from past and present inhabitants of Prince Albert.
The region is hot and dry in summer and has plenty of sunshine in winter. Winter nights can be very cold, and sometimes it snows on the mountains. The mean daily temperature in February is >30°C in the lowlands and in the upper 20s in the mountain areas and the coastal side of the Klein Karoo. In August the corresponding temperatures are 20–22°C and 12–14°C. The corresponding mean daily minima for January are 14–16°C and 10–12°C and for August 4–8°C and –2–2°C.
On the coastal side of this mountain range the vegetation is green and lush but once over the crest of the mountain the vegetation and climate changes rapidly.
At the top of the mountain pass you normally enter a large bank of fog or low cloud and when you exit it on the Oudtshoorn side the scenery has changed.
No more mountains but low hills which stretch for miles covered with the Karoo bush and rocks. This desert area is dry and hot. It's generally hot in summer and mild in winter. The area is, judged on available sunlight, a very suitable year round destination in South Africa.
The South African ostrich industry is one of the largest exporters of red meat in the country and a world leader in the ostrich industry, due to its expertise and climate. 90% of ostrich products (meat, leather and feathers) are exported to Europe, generating an annual income of R1.2 billion. The Klein Karoo is the core ostrich production region in South Africa and forms a critical part of the local economy, employing over 30% of the local population.
The Garden Route Klein Karoo tourism brand is set to benefit from an upswing in the Japanese economy, coupled with a growing interest in the area created by recent exposure the region has received in hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup and specifically Eden hosting the Japanese national team.
The area is known as the Cape Garden Route and Klein Karoo for tourism purposes – and tourism is a major economic activity for the region (making up 15% of gross geographical product). Community services, financial, property and business services, manufacturing and agriculture are the other main services. Mossel Bay is home to South Africa’s main gas-processing plant, while George is a node of manufacturing, trade and administration. The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University has a campus in George. Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are favourite tourist destinations.
The Klein Karoo has its own wine route, and contains the country’s Port Capital in Calitzdorp, which hosts an annual festival to celebrate its main product. Fruit, vegetables and ostriches are other main products of the Klein Karoo.
Today, the economy of Oudtshoorn relies on agriculture and tourism - its major attractions being the natural environment, including the Cango Caves, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders sculpted by nature over millions of years. The caves offer a surreal journey through subterranean caverns with fascinating limestone formations. The 1600m long caves were declared a National Monument in 1938 and are one of the 10 most visited tourist attractions in South Africa.
Other major attractions include the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (South Africa's biggest Arts Festival); endurance races such as the Cango Marathon and the "To Hell And Back" mountain bike race. Route 62 – reputedly the longest wine route in the world; Crocodile Cage Dives; Touch a Cheetah; Game Farms; Die Hel; 4 x 4 Routes; Adventure Activities; Township tours; Ostrich Palaces and Ostrich show farms.
Only a few places in the world are suitable for organic seed production. The Klein Karoo, with its dry climate, is one such place and is already one of the country's largest seed-producing regions.
It is also ideally situated for organic production because several mountain ranges separate the land, helping prevent agrichemical contamination and cross-pollination from neighbouring non-organic farms.
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