The Seweweeks Poort is probably the most beautiful 18 km stretch of gravel road anywhere in South Africa. With easy gradients, multiple river crossings, mind-boggling geology, camping and self catering accommodation all packed into an almost perfect micro-climate, this road is an absolute joy to drive or ride, as it twists and turns through every angle of the compass, as it follows the contorted bends of the River and falls entirely under the control of Cape Nature Conservation and more specifically the Swartberg and Towerkop Nature Reserves. It is also a certified UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gamkapoort Dam, was built by the Dept. of Water Affairs in 1960 for farmers in the Gamka River Valley near Calitzdorp. Once the dam was completed, it effectively cut off road access via the R 407 to Prince Albert and a different routing had to be found. The Swartberg Mountains tower over the road and for the first time visitor it seems impossible that a road exists through this massive jumble of contorted rock formations. Passes normally exhibit small altitude variances, but the this one has a height difference of 479 m, which is more than many major Passes in South Africa. Due to its long length of 17,7 km one hardly feels the gradient changing and for cyclists, the Pass is a joy to ride from North to South. The Pass provides a considerable shortcut for travelers wanting to go to Ladismith or Calitzdorp from Laingsburg or Sutherland. The Route is designated officially as the R 323 but its official number is the P 0903. The surface is gravel throughout which is generally maintained in a good condition. The road does suffer frequent damage after heavy rain. In the Northern sector of the Pass, most of the River crossings are simple concreted drifts, but as the River gets bigger towards the Southern end, the crossings become more sophisticated as the drifts become fitted with underground pipes and later by actual small concrete Bridges. (None of these have guard rails, so make sure you drive conservatively!) Besides the exquisite Seweweeks Poort itself, you will also be able to enjoy the Rooinek Pass, Witnekke Pass and the Koueveld Pass on the way from Laingsburg before you reach the Pass - all of them are close to the Swartberg Nature Reserve or the Towerkop Nature Reserve. It is a beautiful drive (especially in Winter and Spring) with a vast variety of Mountain scenery to enjoy. There is an array of stories as to where the Poort got it's name from, most of which are folklore! The most likely version is that it is named after the Seven Weeks Fern (Polystichum Andiantiforum), which in Afrikaans is called the 'Seweweeksvaring', which grows all over the Poort in moist places and crevices. This is the officially accepted version. Other more fanciful interpretations are that the Pass was originally named after one of the Amalienstein Missionaries - Dr Zerwick and that the locals could not quite pronounce his name correctly and it changed from Zerwick to Zeweweek over time. Research has proven that no Dr. Zerwick ever served at Amalienstein,though! Another story is that it was said to take 7 weeks for the brandy smugglers to get their wares from Beaufort West to Ladismith via the Pass. Yet another insists that it took 7 weeks for the authorities to capture a cattle rustler who had disappeared into the Kloof. All of these stories conjure imagery of a bygone era and they all add to the magical allure of the Pass!

The Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality is a Category B Municipality situated in the Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape Province. It is approximately 240 km North of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. It is one of six Municipalities in the District, making up a third of its Geographical Area. Cradock consists of the Suburb of Cradock, and the Lingelihle and Michausdal Communities, whilst Middelburg has the Suburb of Middelburg, with the Kwanonzame Lusaka and Midros Communities. The two Urban centres of Cradock and Middelburg are fairly similar, with well-developed CBDs and fair infrastructure. (A lot still needs to be done in the former previously disadvantaged communities.)
The Rural Areas of both Towns are mostly Commercial Farms, with small Settlements in the Rural Areas of Fish River Mortimer and Rosmead. The N 10 National Road, which is the vital economic link between Port Elizabeth and the North, runs through Cradock and skirts Middelburg.

Across the M 4 the Forest rests on a 2 000 year-old sand dune. Sounds old enough but Hawaan, by contrast, stands sturdy on a sand Dune that is 18 000 years old. It’s mind-boggling to think that something that old still exists…
Hawaan Forest, owned and managed by 'Tongaat Hulett', is 80 hectares of pristine Coastal Climax Forest. The ‘climax’ part of the description, we learn, means it has reached its full potential of growth. Despite sounding as though it has reached its zenith, the term ‘climax’, in fact, refers to its capacity to reproduce indefinitely, largely due to its providing its own shade. Hawaan is the also last of its kind. Which is why Jocelyn, as the forest’s custodian and member of the Botanical Society, is so very passionate that it remain unharmed, and that people come to understand how vulnerable it is.
‘That people dump alien invasive plants along the perimeter of the forest is the real issue,’ explains Jocelyn. ‘If the seeds of these plants germinate then the pristine quality of Hawaan is endangered, particularly as we have worked so hard to clear and maintain the forest.’
Hawaan is a dry-Forest, which means there is no natural water source. Not even rain really affects the Forest because of its density – the Forest is thick with creepers – various varieties and 48 different species, we learn as we begin to follow Jocelyn along sand paths she and a group of women clear on a regular basis.
To add to the Forest’s value, there are 187 different species of trees in Hawaan alone, many of them Endemic to the Area. When you consider that the whole of Europe has but 67 different tree species, Hawaan begins to take on legendary proportions.
Jocelyn is a font of knowledge. She regularly points out different trees and vines, like the endemic Natal coshwood that always grows in tandem with the equally endemic Natal hickory.
Other trees have names that sound as though they belong in a story about faerie folk: wild asparagus, forest fever berry, forest olive, the dwaba berry, wild grape, and white stink wood.
By now we’ve reached a clearing in the Forest that she explains is used during a bi-annual non-denominational blessing, of the Forest. A bench rests off to one side in memory of Alistair and Phoebe Carnegie, who up until recently tirelessly worked to maintain the forest until Jocelyn took over as custodian.
We hear the call of the Knysna Lourie and later sight a big group of Crested Guinea Fowl. But they are so shy, and so obviously worried by our presence, that we do not manage to get terribly close.
Double-barrel vines twist and turn and we have to manoeuvre ourselves through and around them in a parody of tunneling. Some of the vines are so thick they look more like ropes than vines.
We reach a buffalo thorn tree, which Jocelyn explains is the granddaddy of trees in Hawaan. Many of the tribes in Africa are buried with a twig of Buffalo thorn; one thorn to indicate a past life, two thorns for a future life. This particular example, she thinks, is about 400 years old. It is unusual to see buffalo thorns as tall as they are in Hawaan where they function as canopy trees.
Many of the trees in Durban's Ancient Forest have split trunks. This is a natural form of coppicing, when a tree produces multiple stems growing out of the main trunk. Often one of the stems is dead, and the tree, in a bid to regenerate, produces a new trunk.
Jocelyn points out a couple of what she calls ‘natural gaps’ in the Forest. They look like simple clearings or openings in the Forest canopy and have no reason for being there. The Botanical Society, and the group of students from the local University busy studying the Forest whilst comparing it with other ancient afromontane forests on the Coast, are busy monitoring the gaps, but neither has an explanation.
Ahead of us is a thorny elm (Chaetacme aristata) which has a classic example of coppicing from its base. Its naturally swollen bases of branches look exactly like knobkerries used by Zulu tribesmen as an attacking tool. But they also look almost impossible to remove, the wood is so hard. Birds love the thorny elm, and snakes use the bark to slough off their skins.
By now we’ve walked through a lot of Forest and I can easily imagine getting lost (Jocelyn relates how, indeed, parties have found themselves walking in circles trying to find the path, which is easily covered with leaves). We have reached a part of the Forest where there are bigger spaces between the trees; the sea just visible between the predominantly white stink-wood trees.
I realize how this undulating Forest and its beauty have grown on me. It is a pity there is no formal way for people to share the Forest’s beauty. Keeping it under lock and key, although understandable, does seem a shame.
To visit the Hawaan Forest:
Contact Jocelyn Sutherland on +27 (0)83 275-2216.
Take along: A hat, binoculars, a sturdy pair of walking shoes and a willingness to sit awhile before seeing any birds.
Other animals in the forest: bushbuck, bush-pig, mongoose, tiny duiker, scrub hair, African rock python, dwarf chameleon, coast purple tip butterfly (endemic to KZN).

Durban is the Capital City of the South African Province of KwaZulu-Natal, on the East Coast of the Country. It is not only a popular tourist attraction and coastal hotspot, but it is also home to the continent’s biggest Container Terminal and one of the major Ports in Africa - the Durban Harbour. The modern Port of Durban was first established when a party of British men from the Cape Colony settled on the shores of the Bay of Natal in 1824 to establish a Trading Post. This Harbour is also a popular Tourist Attraction too, thanks to its idyllic Setting, central Positioning, and massive Proportions. The Bay is surrounded by a stunning conservation Area of mangrove swamps.
Durban Harbour is a natural Harbour that still resembles the original Bay’s shape. It is said that Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, discovered the Bay in 1497. Soon, it became a major point of access that was conveniently located between Algoa Bay and Maputo Bay. Today, visitors to Durban Harbour can look forward to watching in awe as giant Container Ships, are led in!
There are a number of Ferry Trips and Cruises that take place in the Harbour. These Trips are an awesome pastime for Locals and Visitors alike, and a great way to see the beauty of the KZN Coastline. Chartered fishing boats are docked at the Harbour and promise avid fishermen a great opportunity to try their hand at angling in the Indian Ocean waters off Durban’s shores.
The bay is surrounded by a stunning conservation Area of mangrove swamps. This not only adds to the beauty and splendour of the Natural Countryside, but also provides the ideal Habitat for a number of animal species.
For those that feel more energetic, the bay is also a fantastic place to go Parasailing, Kayaking or Canoeing.
The Port of Durban operates 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year. During daylight ships are supposedly restricted to 243.8 m length with a maximum width of 35 m and a draught of 11.9 m, or 12.2 m according to tide and Harbour Master's clearance. Larger vessels are common, and ships up to 300 m lengths and 37 m beams are regular callers in Durban. Night restrictions are for a ship length of 200 m, a beam of 26 m, and maximum draught of 11.6 m. The Harbour Master has to be consulted for permission if larger vessels are to enter Port!
On the 10 October 2017. during a freak storm, two container ships collided in Durban Harbour, resulting in 2.2 billion plastic pellets, commonly known as nurdles, being spilled. This resulted in a major environmental clean-up, (you can read more by clicking on the link in Further Reading!)

Built by the Tamil Community the prominent and almost 70-year-old Building of the Hindu Tamil Institute (HTI) in Cross Street, Durban, near the Durban Girls’ Secondary School, was officially opened on April 12, 1939 by Sri Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. He was the first vice-president of India (1952-1962) and its second president (1962-1967). His birthday is celebrated in India, as Teachers’ Day on September 5. Although it was initially known as the Hindu Tamil Government Aided Indian School, founded on February 27, 1914 and originally operated in Prince Edward Street, it eventually moved to the HTI Building at 90 Cross Street. The Building had a rich History and was one of the first Indian Schools in the Central Business District. As Indian families started moving into Townships because of the Group Areas Act, attendance at the School dropped. It was also where the then ML Sultan Technikon, started its first classes.
In the 1970's, when the HTI School closed, the Building stood vacant for two Years. The society has now decided to sell the 70-year-old Building as it could no longer serve the Indian community, which has scattered! The proceeds would help run the Hindu Tamil Mansions in Dr. Goonam Street, and Natal Tamil Vedic Society, in Carlisle Street.

Dessenhoek forms a Community of Durban, towards the Pinetown Area. In a continual effort to improve the lives of those around them, Gelvenor once again gave back to the Community with a generous donation. After witnessing the poor condition of the Church and Clinic in the Dassenhoek Community, Peter Rasmussen from 'City Hope Nation Changers' – a City Hill Church program – initiated the project and began to look for partners who would assist him in offering much needed support to the Community. “They are doing amazing work in the Dassenhoek Community and after seeing their Facility and the challenges they face I knew something needed to be done,” said Rasmussen.
Peter reached out to Companies in the Area and Gelvenor answered the call to provide a solution. The project saw Gelvenor donate 200 metres of fabric to the' Tshelimnyama Dassenhoek Community' to be used as a Clinic and social/education Centre. Gelvenor CEO Dicky Coetzee said, “Our business has been evolving in South Africa since 1965 and we recognize that community involvement has to be part of what you do. We feel privileged that we can be a part of this”. Having seen his project come to fruition and realizing the inevitable impact it will have on the Community, Rasmussen openly showed his gratitude to the Gelvenor team. “I want to say to' Gelvenor Textiles', thank you for this incredible blessing to the community. This is a wonderful outcome to the journey we have walked together,” concluded Rasmussen.