Walk the few kilometres from the Hermitage timber cottage at Heilfontein Country Escape into Tesselaarsdal and you will be struck by the huge variety of homes visible from the road. Some are ramshackle and crumbling, others modest but neat, and yet others grand, with imposing fences and impressive driveways.
One reason for this is the strange history of Tesselaarsdal, the Western Cape settlement described as “the place that apartheid forgot” in Annalize Mouton’s Tesselaarsdal: A Bend in the Road.
Heilfontein, which means ‘holy fountain’, is a portion of the original communal farm 811, purchased in 2014 by Lindsay Madden and Glynis Gillott. Madden points to the vast open spaces of the farm and says: “This is what Constantia was like when I was a child.”
The farm is just off the Hemel en Aarde Road, a 40-minute drive from Hermanus.
The original property of over 2 000ha was given to the slaves who worked the land, and in subsequent deals, it was carved up into pieces more akin to shattered glass than proper town planning. The history of this area (classified as a ‘human settlement’ rather than a village) is also the history of lives shattered by apartheid.
This story is from the March 12, 2021 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 12, 2021 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Care of newborn lambs and goat kids
It may be a relatively simple task to successfully get rams to mate and for females to give birth, but the first couple of weeks of the life of a lamb or kid is a crucial period in livestock farming.
Don't ignore ChatGPT for one more day
If you are not using the free artificial intelligence app you’re missing out on assistance from the most potent personal assistant you could ever have.
Afternoon tea at the famous Mount Nelson
Brian Berkman says there’s not much to beat afternoon drinks and snacks served in the gardens at the newly refurbished Mount Nelson.
Starting a small-farm vegetable project: Part 4
Bill Kerr says that increasing the organic and microbe content of your soil is the first step to ensuring healthier crops and greater yields.
Luxurious and powerful workhorse at a great price
The new JAC T9 is certainly great value for money by offering features and driver comforts that compare with brands twice its retail price.
Are there solutions to antibiotic resistance, or are we running out of time to find new antibiotics?
Free State regional sales manager for Alltech, discusses how farmers can mitigate the use of antibiotics in cattle.
Dream stud Merinos
This stud was winning awards and attracting top prices, thanks to a quality sire imported from Australia eight years ago.
Choosing a breed that goes along with your lifestyle
Jarred Hodgson gives farmers advice on choosing the dog breed best suited to them, their families and operations. Although only four specific breeds are highlighted here, other breeds can also be considered.
Wheat production in South Africa
Master’s in Integrated Pest Management candidate at North-West University Zunel van Eeden explores the increasing importance of wheat production and the challenges experienced on the way to harvest time.
Sorghum essential for South Africa
Magda du Toit discusses Grain SA’s focus on sorghum as an important grain crop to cultivate, research and develop further in the country.