THE
GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Tour e-Book
GAUTENG DAY TOURS
The Tours CRADLE OF HUMAN KIND ONE DAY TOUR
Pg 3
HARTIES ELEPHANT & BUSH BABIES TOUR
Pg 5
WALK WITH LIONS DAY TOUR
Pg 7
CULLINAN STEAM TRAIN & MINE SURFACE TOUR
Pg 9
HARTIES DAY TOUR & CHEETAH SANCTUARY
Pg 11
LESEDI MONATI CULTURAL TOUR
Pg 13
LESEDI BOMA CULTURAL TOUR
Pg 14
BILL HARROPS HOT AIR BALLOON ADVENTURE TOUR
Pg 15
SOWETO & VILAKAZI STREET FULL DAY TOUR
Pg 17
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL
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GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Cradle of Humankind Day Tour 07.30 Good Morning! It’s time for your fabulous tour of the Cradle of Humankind to begin! We’ll pick you up from your accommodation in a Dornbrack Travel air-conditioned coach and take you for breakfast at beautiful Toadbury Hall arriving around 08:30-09:00 (breakfast included). Toadbury Hall is a 25 hectare country estate and hotel with majestic indigenous trees and magnificent rose and lavender gardens on the banks of the Crocodile River, just 20 minutes from Fourways in Gauteng. It’s the perfect place to unwind and remind yourself that you can sit back and relax and let your guide from Dornbrack Travel look after you for the rest of the day. 10:00 After your tantalising breakfast, it’s a quick ten minute drive to the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve. This private reserve situated in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, is the perfect setting for admiring nature. They have over 600 head of game including 3 of the Big 5 (Kruger lion, white rhino and buffalo), which you’ll see on the 2-hour game drive in a game-viewing vehicle with a professional guide. They’ve also introduced endangered wild dog to the area and cheetah, hippo and crocodile, plus more than 20 species of antelope will also be part of the experience. The finale of this tour is a visit to the 5-10 million year old Wonder Caves, with their amazing stalactites and stalagmites (no crawling necessary)! Entrance for both activities is included.
12:30 to 13:00 approx. We depart for the Maropeng Visitor Centre for lunch in their renowned Tumulus Restaurant. We’ve chosen this venue because it boasts the best views in Gauteng! You can’t help but be inspired by the breathtaking vista of the Witwaterberg and Magaliesberg mountain ranges. Lunch is not included in the tour price and is for your own account.
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL 14:00 It’s time for our learning curve on the path of human development to skyrocket as we visit the Maropeng Visitors Centre. It’s the official visitor centre for The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and contains exciting, world-class exhibitions, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years. There’s a Stone Age archaeological excavation where early stone tools like hand-axes and cleavers have been found, plus a massive burial mound called the Tumulus, all of which help to unlock the secrets of our ancestry. It seems that early humans and their ancestors came to Maropeng because the rocks made perfect tools for a hunter-gatherer way of life. It’s thought the tools were made sometime between 1.0 and 0.5 million years ago during the Earlier Stone Age, prior to the appearance of modern Homo sapiens. They are on display in the Maropeng Original Fossil Area. The Centre has put the rocks to a different use and engraved some messages that explain why Maropeng is of such significance, like; t t t
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15:15 A short road transfer of about 15 minutes takes us to Sterkfontein Caves, where scientists have discovered many hominid and other animal fossils, dating back more than 4-million years - to the birth of humanity! The most important and most famous are “Mrs Ples�, a 2.1-million-yearold Australopithecus skull, and “Little Foot�, an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton that is more than 3-million years old. These fossils tell us much about the precursors of modern humans, Homo sapiens. Other archaeological finds within the Cradle of Humankind include 2-million-year-old stone tools and a collection of 270 burnt bones that reveals how our ancestors learned to master fire more than 1-million years ago. The tour price includes entrance fees to Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves. It’s been a fascinating day and you deserve some refreshment! We finish in a 3,000 hectare nature reserve in the World Heritage Park and sip sundowners on The Cradle Restaurant balcony , with more views to wow you! There is now an option of a sunset game drive before being returned to your accommodation at around 18:00 to 18:30. You’ve covered millions of years of history in one day! We hope this trip leaves you with a sense of wonder and an appreciation of the miracle of humankind. We look forward to seeing you on another of other great trips.
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GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Harties Elephant & Bush Babies Tour 07.30 Good Morning! You are in for a lovely day out browsing market stalls, riding the Hartie’s Cableway, then an afternoon communing with elephants or monkeys. Your Dornbrack Travel Coach will fetch you from your accommodation, but don’t eat breakfast before you leave! 08:30 Arrive at The Windmill Dutch Restaurant near Hartbeespoort Dam for a hearty breakfast. Right next door is the hugely popular Jasmyn Plaaswinkel (farm stall) with farm goodies, crafts, curios and a bookstore all under the largest thatch roof this side of the equator! We’ll give you and hour and a half for breakfast and browsing, but we still may have to drag you away from this beguiling spot! 10:00 Get ready for a ride up the new Harties Cableway to the top of the ancient Magaliesberg Mountains. Be prepared for extraordinary 360º views over Hartebeespoort Dam, the endless beautiful countryside and dramatic mountain peaks. It’s the longest mono-rail in Africa and gives no shortage of great photo opportunities. There’s leisure time at the top and a chance to wander around and learn the history of the area, plus a children’s play area. Just a kilometre from Hartbeespoort Dam wall under the shade of giant oaks is Welwitschia Country Market. It’s has about 40 charming shops and restaurants grouped around an aviary, loved by the children. Just nearby is the Chameleon Village with a reptile park and petting zoo. You’ll have noticed by now that this tour is perfect for children. There’s plenty of time here for leisure time and lunch (at your own cost).
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL 13:30 We leave Hartebeesport on our way to The Elephant Sanctuary or Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary - they both have a 14:00 guided tour and are both owned by the same animal lover. It’s your choice! The Elephant Sanctuary: walk into the forest, get introduced to the elephant and learn all about them. You’ll notice the special relationship they have with their handlers, but you too get to feed them and walk hand in hand with them. Elephant riding is an optional extra (children must be minimum 8 years old). Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary offers a guided walk through the forest seeing the monkeys but not touching. All the primates are ex-captives, and they are learning to fend for themselves. That’s not so easy when you’ve been a pet, so there are feeding stations where you can watch the monkeys get up to mischief. 16:00 After your close encounter with animals large or small, we take you back to your accommodation or drop off point and say farewell till next time. Take a look at our fabulous full range of day trips and tours.
Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary offers a guided walk through the forest seeing the monkeys.
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GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Walk with Lions Day Tour 07.30: Good Morning! Are you ready for some market browsing, fun at Hartebeespoort Dam then a cuddle from a lion? Your Dornbrack Travel Coach will fetch you from your accommodation to start this exciting day, but don’t eat breakfast! 08:30: We’re going to treat you to a yummy breakfast at The Windmill Dutch Restaurant near Hartebeespoort Dam and there’s a little surprise in store at this first stop! Next door is the hugely popular Jasmyn Plaaswinkel (farm stall) with a myriad of stalls full of farm goodies, crafts and curios all under the largest thatch roof this side of the equator! We’ll give you an hour and a half for breakfast and browsing, but we still may have to drag you away from this beguiling spot! 10:00: Get ready for a ride up the new Harties Cableway to the top of the ancient Magaliesberg Mountains. Be prepared for extraordinary 360º views over Hartebeespoort Dam, the endless beautiful countryside and dramatic mountain peaks. It’s the longest mono-rail in Africa and gives no shortage of great photo opportunities. There’s leisure time at the top and a chance to wander around and learn the history of the area, plus a children’s play area. 11:30: It’s time to head off to Welwitschia Country Market under the shade of giant oaks just a kilometre from Hartbeespoort Dam wall. It’s a market of 40 charming shops and restaurants grouped around an aviary, which is the delight of children. Just nearby is the Chameleon Village with a reptile park and petting zoo. You’ll have noticed by now that this tour is perfect for children. There’s time for leisure time and lunch (at your own cost).
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL
13:30 Now’s the moment you’ve been waiting for, when we head to Ukutula Lion Park for a 3-4 hour interaction with young lions, cheetahs and tigers. They are all just pussycats, and you get a chance to stroke and cuddle some young cats, watch the babies get bottle fed and walk through the enclosures learning all about them as you go. Children under 10 years are half price & children under 5 are free. 18:00 After this amazing encounter our day ends and we take you back to your accommodation or drop off points. Check out our other day trips that children will love.
They are all just pussycats, and you get a chance to stroke and cuddle some young cats
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GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Cullinan Steam Train and Mine Surface Tour 07.30 Good Morning! It’s time for your Steam Train ride to Cullinan to begin. We’ll pick you up from your accommodation in a Dornbrack Travel air-conditioned coach. We’re heading for Hermanstad Station where we step aboard the Friends of the Rail Steam Train excursion to Culinan. This not-for-profit organisation preserves South Africa’s steam locomotives and coach stock and we get to enjoy a wonderfully old fashioned and distinguished mode of transport lasting a leisurely 2.5 hours. Breakfast can be included in the price and the food & drinks coach is open throughout the trip. There’s also a small shop on the station for you to stock up on light refreshments and souvenirs. All food & drink on this tour at your own cost. 11:00 - 11:45 With a loud blast of the steam-whistle we arrive at Cullinan Station. It has hardly changed for a hundred years and there’s some time now, and again later, to look around the line of miners’ houses, which are now restaurants, cafés and art & craft shops, the flea market and Museum showing what life was like in this early 1900’s mining town. Grab something to eat too, as you’ll be busy on the mine for the next 2 hours.
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL 12:00 – 14:00 Hop on the Dornbrack coach for a quick transfer to the famous Diamond Mine and the fascinating 2-hour tour. It was here in 1905 the magnificent Cullinan Diamond was found; 3106.75 carats, weighing 621.35g. It remains the largest diamond ever found, but was cut into several stones used in the English crown jewels. There’s nothing quite like the real thing, but enter into our draw and you could win a replica! A 14 min DVD sets the scene before we go onto the surface of the mine and see a life-size tunnel, shafts in operation and the lookout over the Big Hole. You’ll see diamond cutting and the jewellery shop where a glass of bubbly or juice awaits. 14:00 We head back to Cullinan Town for some more leisure time to finish what you started earlier; eating, drinking, shopping, browsing, looking back in history….. 15:00 All Aboard, All Aboard! The train is leaving. 17:30 Arrive back in Hermanstad, from where we return you to your accommodation. We are sure you will enjoy this brief step back in time and hope you will join us for some more of our pleasurable day trips.
You’ll see diamond cutting and the jewellery shop where a glass of bubbly or juice awaits. 10
GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Harties Day Tour & Cheetah Sanctuary 07.30: Good Morning! Are you and your family ready for a fun-filled day tour to explore what’s cookin’ around Hartebeespoort Dam? Your Dornbrack Travel Coach will fetch you from your accommodation, but don’t eat breakfast before you leave! 08:30: We’re going to treat you to a yummy breakfast at The Windmill Dutch Restaurant near Hartebeespoort Dam and there’s a little surprise in store at this first stop! Next door is the hugely popular Jasmyn Plaaswinkel (farm stall) with a myriad of stalls full of farm goodies, crafts and curios all under the largest thatch roof this side of the equator! We’ll give you an hour and a half for breakfast and browsing, but we still may have to drag you away from this beguiling spot! 10:15: Get ready for a ride up the new Harties Cableway to the top of the ancient Magaliesberg Mountains. Be prepared for extraordinary 360º views over Hartebeespoort Dam, the endless beautiful countryside and dramatic mountain peaks. It’s the longest mono-rail in Africa and gives no shortage of great photo opportunities. There’s leisure time at the top and a chance to wander around and learn the history of the area, plus a children’s play area. 11:30: It’s time to head off to Welwitschia Country Market under the shade of giant oaks just a kilometre from Hartbeespoort Dam wall. It’s a market of 40 charming shops and restaurants grouped around an aviary, which is the delight of children. Just nearby is the Chameleon Village with a reptile park and petting zoo. You’ll have noticed by now that this tour is perfect for children. The next hour is your lunch and leisure time (at your own cost).
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL 12:45 sharp!: We know it’s easy to get distracted here, so let’s not be late for our departure because we’re going to see adorable cheetahs at De Wildt Cheetah Sanctuary (now known as Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre in tribute to the woman who devoted her lift to saving these animals). 13:30: De Wildt plays an important role in the survival of this endangered species and in expanding the gene pool, having bred over 800 cheetah cubs over the past 40 years. Learn all about them and see cute cubs and adults in the three-hour guided tour and other rescued animals like wild dogs. Children must be over 6 yrs to be on this tour. 16:30: With warmth in your heart for these beautiful animals, it’s time to head home. Enjoy the ride or have a snooze in the Doornbrack Travel tour bus as we make our way back to your accommodation. This will take about an hour but you’ll be home before sunset. It’s been a stimulating day out visiting new and exciting places and I bet you’ve returned with a few cherished mementos. Why not come with us on another tour – see website for more itineraries. We look forward to seeing you again!
Be prepared for extraordinary 360º views over Hartebeespoort Dam, the endless beautiful countryside and dramatic mountain peaks.
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GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Lesedi Monati Cultural Tour 08:00: Dumela, Molo, Sawubona! Welcome to our Lesedi Monati Cultural Day Tour. These are just some of the ways to say “Hello” in South Africa’s fascinating languages, of which 11 are official languages and about 15 more are spoken around the country. Today is about experiencing vibrant Africa’s cultures, but we can’t go anywhere on an empty stomach, so we start the day with a wonderful breakfast at nearby Toadbury Hall (included in the price). 09:00: Toadbury Hall is a 25 hectare country estate and hotel with majestic indigenous trees and magnificent rose and lavender gardens on the banks of the Crocodile River, just 20 minutes from Fourways in Gauteng. It’s the perfect place to enjoy breakfast, unwind and remind yourself that you can sit back and relax and let your guide from Dornbrack Travel look after you for the rest of the day. After breakfast take a stroll and admire your surroundings. 10:30: We head to Lesedi Cultural Village for their amazing Monati Experience and a traditional African welcome, which we won’t divulge here! The village is an honest reflection of African life from the colourful Ndebele houses and craft market, to the homesteads of Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho and Pedi people. A multi-visual presentation on origins and history helps to unravel Africa’s tribal traditions and one of which is singing and dancing! The Giant Ingoma Dance Boma comes alive with song and dance, with Zulu warriors making the ground vibrate with their terrifying war dance and Pedi women wooing you in a hip-swaying rain dance. You’ll get a chance to dance too – go on give it a try! A Pan-African feast is served in the Nyama Choma Restaurant with delicacies from north, east and South Africa. 15:00: We depart Lesedi and culminate our tour in a 3,000 hectare nature reserve in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Park. Sip sundowners on the balcony of The Cradle Restaurant, whose views inspire the notion that the world started here! There is now an option of a sunset game drive (at your own cost), to have the chance to see white rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, numerous antelopes and birds, before being returned to your accommodation at around 18:00 to 18:30. We know you’ll be feeling enriched by this day and hope you’ll come with us on another wonderful African experience soon.
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL
Lesedi Boma Cultural Tour 08:00: Good Morning! It’s a beautiful day for experiencing Africa’s wildlife and cultures, so look out for the Dornbrack Travel coach that will pick you up and take you for breakfast at beautiful Toadbury Hall (breakfast included). 09:00: Toadbury Hall is a 25 hectare country estate and hotel with majestic indigenous trees and magnificent rose and lavender gardens on the banks of the Crocodile River, just 20 minutes from Fourways in Gauteng. It’s the perfect place to unwind and remind yourself that you can sit back and relax and let your guide from Dornbrack Travel look after you for the rest of the day. After breakfast take a stroll and admire your surroundings. 10:30: After your tantalising breakfast, it’s a quick ten minute drive to the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve. This private reserve situated in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is the perfect setting for admiring nature. They have over 600 head of game including 3 of the Big 5 (Kruger lion, white rhino and buffalo), which you’ll hopefully see on the 2-hour game drive with a professional guide. They’ve also introduced endangered wild dog to the area and cheetah, hippo and crocodile, plus more than 20 species of antelope. The finale of this tour is a visit to the 5-10 million year old Wonder Caves, with their amazing stalactites and stalagmites (no crawling necessary)! Entrance for both activities is included. 13:00: Head for Lesedi Cultural Village and their afternoon Boma Experience beginning at 14:30. It’s time to become immersed in true African culture amongst villagers who live their traditional lives here. You are shown some of the many cultures that make up south Africa - each with their own dress, decoration and language. Guests are divided into small groups and taken on guided tours of the five homesteads: Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho, Ndebele and Pedi. One of the highlights of the afternoon is the singing and dancing in The Giant Ingoma Dance Boma. Zulu warriors make the ground shake with their terrifying war dance and Pedi women woo you with their hip-swaying rain dance. You’ll get a chance to dance too if you dare! A Pan-African feast is served in the Nyama Choma Restaurant with delicacies from north, east and South Africa. You’ll also have the opportunity take home colourful souvenirs from the shop. 19:00: The Boma Experience ends and we’ll drive you back to your accommodation. You’ve had a day of fascinating experience that we know will leave you feeling enriched. We hope you’ll come with us on another tour soon.
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GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Bill Harrops Hot Air Balloon Adventure 05:00: It’s an early start, but all worth it when you rise into the air as dawn breaks and float effortlessly over the beautiful Magaliesberg Mountains and the Cradle of Humankind in a famous Bill Harrop’s Hot Air Balloon. Over a quarter of a century ago Bill Harrop brought commercial hot air ballooning to the skies of Gauteng. He has since established himself as an icon of the South African Tourist industry and a colourful character. After your exhilarating balloon ride, touch down to a scrumptious champagne breakfast at Bill Harrop’s clubhouse. From 10:00 am: After breakfast we drive through the beautiful scenic route through the Magaliesberg mountains towards Lesedi Cultural Village for their amazing Monati Experience and a traditional African welcome!
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL
The village is an honest reflection of African life, from the colourful Ndebele houses and craft market, to the homesteads of Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho and Pedi people. A multi-visual presentation on origins and history helps to unravel Africa’s tribal traditions. The Giant Ingoma Dance Boma comes alive with rousing singing and dancing, and Zulu warriors making the ground vibrate with their terrifying war dance and Pedi women wooing you in a hip-swaying rain dance. You’ll get a chance to dance too – don’t be shy! A Pan-African feast is served in the Nyama Choma Restaurant with delicacies from north, east and southern Africa. From 14:00 pm: We depart Lesedi and culminate our tour in a 3,000 hectare nature reserve in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Park. Sip sundowners on the balcony of The Cradle Restaurant, whose views inspire the notion that humanity began here. From 16:30pm: Approximate drop off time Cost Includes: transportation, collection and drop off, hot air ballooning and champagne breakfast, entry to Lesedi Cultural Village, bottled water and snacks on bus, qualified National Guide.
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GAUTENG DAY TOURS
Soweto & Vilakazi Street Full Day Tour Lest we forget Nelson Mandela’s words, “to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” This tour of Soweto exposes the past, celebrates the present and reminds us that South Africa’s freedom was hard won to create a better future. 08:30 is collection time from your accommodation. We head for Soweto – South Africa’s most populated township, best known for its two Nobel Peace Prize ex-residents; Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Refreshments and snacks will be provided on the bus during the tour. 09:00 – 09:30 Our route takes us via Soweto’s Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which offered sanctuary to anti-apartheid groups. That didn’t stop police raiding the church on 16th June 1976 during youth uprisings and firing live ammunition damaging the marble altar and crucifix. The Church became a venue for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1995-1998, presided over by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who wept at what he heard. 10:00 – 10:30 In a township with a population of a million, the towering trees and lush herbal woodlands of Oppenheimer Park in Jabuvu, are a haven within a metropolis. We’ll guide you around the Oppenheimer Towers and open-air cultural village of African art and sculptures, built by Zulu Sangoma and Spiritual Leader Credo Mutwa in the 1970s. He placed Kings, Chiefs and historical figures together, even though they’d never met, in a symbolic representation of African nationalism.
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DORNBRACK TRAVEL
11:00 – 11:30 Let’s drive to Kliptown and witness the Freedom Charter Memorial. It was here in 1955 that the Congress of the People drew up and signed an alternative vision to the repressive policies of the apartheid state. This Freedom Charter was adopted by the ANC and was a foundation upon which South Africa’s Constitution was formed. These days Kliptown has a booming market as well, which we’ll have time to visit. 12:00 – 12:30 We drive past the famous Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital – the largest hospital in South Africa, and the enormous Maponya Mall. The organised chaos of the taxi rank here is something to see as it’s a major transport hub in this part of Soweto. Don’t worry we won’t make you travel in a South African taxi! We transport you in much more comfort and safety to our next stop. 12:30 – 13:00 The Hector Peterson Museum and Memorial in Orlando West. Nothing quite tells the story of the 1976 Soweto student uprising than the photograph of Hector Peterson dying in the arms of his school friend. It is a graphic representation of apartheid repression. The museum and memorial remembers this struggle for freedom and commemorates those who died. 13:00- 13:30 We’ll point out Winnie Mandela’s house, then take stop in Vilakazi Street at Nelson Mandela’s house and museum, and take a glimpse at Desmond Tutu’s former home. There’s no street anywhere else in the world that has produced two Nobel Peace Lauriets and no tour of Soweto misses this out. 13:30 – 15:00 You’ll be more than ready for a late lunch at Sakhumzi Restaurant, with some entertainment from tribal dancers. 16:00 – 16:30 Arrive back at your starting point. We hope this tour touched your heart and leaves you with a sense of hope. But, for something completely different, take a look at some of the other tours we offer.
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CONTACT US Andriette van Zyl General Manager : 082 856 0147 Gerhard Buys Director : 083 399 1214 Brenda Dornbrack Director : 082 854 1157 Email : info@dornbracktravel.com Facsimile : 0866 988 395 Postal Address : P.O. Box 237, Rant en Dal, Krugersdorp 1751, South Africa
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