Hadeda News - 24 February 2023

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Enkel Kopstuk + Kassie R1499 Stoele vanaf R250 tot R400

Sponsmatrasse Vanaf R399

555lt Defy Side By Side Kombinasie Yskas "metallic" R8999

Dubbel Bamboo Base Set + 2 Kussings R3599 Queen Bamboo Base Set + 2 Kussings R3799

Melamien TV Plasma R2199

Lampet Waskom Seepbakkie

Botswana Prepared To “Walk Away” From Diamond Talks With De Beers

BOTSWANAwould be prepared to walk away from negotiations with De Beers regarding the renewal of a diamond sales agreement, said Bloomberg News.

Citing comments made by Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi, the newswire said the negotiations were like “shaking a giant”.

“These are our diamonds, and we want a larger share for us, but through negotiations,” Masisi said. “If it gets difficult and talks fail, we will have to say, ‘Let’s go our separate ways.'”

The negotiations have been underway since 2018.The current agreement expired in September 2020 but has been extended several times, initially amid the Covid pandemic. Last year, the sides

agreed to keep the deal going until June.

The Botswana government has a 50% stake in Debswana with De Beers controlling the other half. Debswana mines about 95% of Botswana’s total diamond production.

Bloomberg News said that the pact was one of the industry’s “most valuable covenants”, and the delays were “unnerving an ecosystem that includes contractors, sightholders, factories, retailers and financiers”.

“Anything that would trouble diamonds would make the market jittery,” Minerals and Energy Minister Lefoko Moagi told Bloomberg on the sidelines of a January 25 briefing.

operates Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine, said in November it was hopeful the negotiations between the government and De Beers would “conclude in the short term”.

“Markets can start asking, ‘What’s happening here?'” “We would like to see a long term relationship,” said Lucara CEO EiraThomas who also

described the negotiations as “hugely distracting”. Commenting on negotiations, Moagi told Bloomberg News in January that most of its terms had been agreed upon, but “two material issues” remained. “The challenge is just that they have to be negotiated as a package,” he said. - MiningMx

Lucara Diamonds, which

President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi

Hoe om jou kinders aan die lees te kry?

Wenke van Welbekende Gepubliseerde Skrywer - Annerle Barnard

lewer en ‘n long. Wanneer hulle dus ‘n nuwe item benodig, sê ek soms hulle sal self daarvoor moet betaal, want geld groei nie op my rug nie. Hulle het nie geld nie? Hulle kan geld verdien. Hoe? Deur ‘n aantal bladsye (ouderdomsverwant) te lees.

Voorbeeld: die seuns wou onlangs ‘n nuwe sokkerbal hê. Dit was R150. Hulle het met my kom onderhandel (kinders leer blitsvinnig!) en het gevra of ek vir hulle ‘n sokkerbal sal koop as hulle elkeen 50 bladsye in hulle onderskeie boeke lees.

hulle vir seker nie lees nie.)

Die Wet van Barnard & Barnard

Indien daar ‘n fliek oor ‘n boek gemaak is, moet die seuns éérs die boek lees voordat hulle die fliek mag kyk. So het my tiener al ‘n paar keer vir my (en maats) verduidelik hoekom die fliek baie swakker as die boek is.

Uit die mond van 'n eks-nie-leser wat haar genre gevind het

“Ek hét actually ‘n lewe en daarom hóéf ek nie te lees nie!”

Lees tussen die lyne: Jongste reken sy ma het nié ‘n lewe nie. Is alle tweede kinders so hardkoppig en aspris-moeilik?

Ek het nie die antwoord op alles nie, maar na ‘n vreeslike gesukkel, lees my kinders uiteindelik. Siende dat ouers gereeld my advies vra:

Beperk elektronika/skermtyd:

Solank as wat kinders vrylik en heeldag lank toegang tot elektronika het, gaan hulle nié lees nie. Ons kinders het normaalweg 30 minute skermtyd per dag (TV/selfoon /elektroniese speletjies, ens.)

Is daar boeke in jou huis?

Sorg dat daar baie boeke in jou huis is. Indien jy nie tans boeke kan bekostig nie, sluit aan by ‘n biblioteek, of koop tweedehands indien daar glad nie ‘n biblioteek in jou dorp is nie.

Lees vir jou kinders stories wanneer hulle nog klein is. Ek het altyd saans vir my kinders stories gelees wanneer dit tyd was om te gaan slaap. Hulle was gevolglik mal oor stories, maar was bloot te lui om self te lees. Dit was makliker om mý te

smeek om te lees. Daar bestaan nie iets soos ‘te vroeg’nie – babas sal ook by stories baat, selfs al verstaan hulle nog nie.

Hou moed: indien jy nie saans slaaptydstories vir jou kinders gelees het nie, beteken dit nié dat die stryd verlore is nie. (Jy het wel ‘n voorsprong indien jy saans vir jou kinders stories lees.)

Practise what you preach

Kinders doen dikwels wat hulle sien. Indien die ouers lees, is dit die voorbeeld wat die kinders sien. Indien jy selfs net die koerant lees, baan dit reeds die weg.

Indien jy nie self ‘n leser is nie, beteken dit nie noodwendig dat jou kinders nooit lesers sal wees nie.

Dis egter onbetwyfelbaar ‘n groot voordeel indien jou kinders jou ook met leesstof sien.

Van watter tipe flieks hou jou kinders?

As jou kinders graag skop, skiet en doodslaan kyk, is dit waarskynlik die genre boeke wat hulle sal prikkel. Dieselfde met romanse, komedie, drama, ens.

Wat is jou kind se belangstelling/passie? Gebruik dit in onderhandelings.

Beide my seuns is sportmal. Hulle toerusting en toernooie kos ons ‘n

Ek beloon graag. Die seuns het my baie opgewonde vertel van Avengers Endgame wat ongeveer ‘n jaar gelede nuut vrygestel was by Ster Kinekor/Nu-Metro.Toe sê ek dat ek nie vir ‘n fliek (en springmielies en koeldrank en Smarties en en en) begroot het nie, maar ek ‘n plan sal maak indien hulle elkeen ‘n boek klaar lees. (Wees realisties: mens gee nie vir ‘n onwillige 14-jarige leser Shakespeare se versamelde werke nie). Die uiteinde? Op hulle aandrang het ek toe saam met hulle gaan fliek en dit was heerlik! Jy’s nie elke naweek lus vir ‘n ‘playdate’en die vreeslike heen en weer ry nie? Ek ook nie, maar vir iemand wat lees, is ek bereid om die wiele te laat rol. Die gevolg: Onder normale omstandighede het ons baie dikwels ‘n toeloop van maats wat naweke hier kom oorslaap.

Hoe dit begin het?

My jongste seun (wat actually ‘n lewe het!) het my twee jaar gelede R100 geskuld en kon dit nie terugbetaal nie. Ek het toe onderneem om sy skuld af te skryf indien hy lees (R1 per bladsy.)Teen bladsy 80 was hy verslaaf aan die boek en het daarna die res van die reeks gelees sonder enige verdere onderhandelings. Kinders moet net ver genoeg lees om te besef dat die boek regtig puik is, dan is die probleem opgelos. (Hulle moet natuurlik ook nie 24/7 toegang tot elektronika hê nie, want dan sal

“I was never interested in reading any books.At the age of 16, I was more into my sport than anything else.To relax/unwind, I would enjoy a good crime/action movie or series during free time.

This was until I was (at the age of 20) introduced to Karin Slaughter by my stepmother (Annerle Barnard) –to be more specific the WillTrent series. She kind of knew at the time that I enjoyed a good CSI series and thought that crime fiction books would be a great start.

To be honest, I didn’t think the books would interest me but I tried it anyway. She taught me to always try something before I decide that I wouldn’t like it.

Now I’m addicted to Karin Slaughter’s books and can’t wait for a new one to arrive in the bookstores.” – Zandrie Grosskopff

Daar is regtig baie opwindende jeugliteratuur in beideAfrikaans en Engels beskikbaar

VRYWARING: Ek is heeltemal daarvan bewus dat daar kinders met leer- en leesprobleme is. Daarmee kan ek ongelukkig nie help nie. Spreek eerder ‘n kenner op hierdie gebied indien jy hulp benodig. Die wenke bo is wenke wat algemeen bekend is en dit wat vir my kinders werk, gaan nie noodwendig vir alle kinders werk nie. Dit is dus nié die Wet van Mede en Perse nie. Ouers moet self bepaal wat vir hulle kinders werk.

NOORD KAAP TUINE

Kors:

3 eetlepels botter

1 kilogram aartappels

1 eetlepel sout

1 teelepel peper

1 eier

2 eetlepels fyngekapte vars

roosmarynblaartjies of 1 eetlepel gedroogde roosmaryn

Vulsel:

500 g blomkool in die blommetjies opgebreek wat in die helfte deurgesny word

500 g broccoli in die blommetjies opgebreek wat in die helfte deurgesny word

2 medium groot uie, in agstes gesny

8 heel babawortels

6 knoffeltoontjies, ongeskil

6 takkies vars tiemie of 1 eetlepel gedroogte tiemie

sout en peper na smaak

3 groot eiers

1 koppie room

100 g fetakaas, gekrummel

100 g Cheddarkaas,

Manie’s Bistro

gerasper

Voer ‘n 23 cm losboom koekpan met foelie of bakpapier uit en smeer met botter of spuit ‘n nie-kleef spuitmiddel daaroor

Skil die aartappels en rasper dit grof. reineer dit baie goed om dit so droog as moontlik te kry. Die beste is om dit in ‘n kombuisdoek te sit en dan uit te draai om soveel vloeistof as moontlik uit te kry Meng die sout, peper, eiers en roosmaryn deur die aartappels en druk die mengsel dan styf vas in die pan, sodat dit die bodem en kante daarvan bedek. Probeer dit so eweredig as moontlik te kry en sorg dat daar nie gate is nie

Sprei die blomkool, broccoli, uie, wortels, knoffel en tiemie takkies op ‘n bakplaat uit. Drup ‘n paar druppel olyfolie daaroor en geur met

die gedroogde tiemie (indien dit gebruik word) asook sout en peper na smaak. Sit dit saam met die kors in die oond en bak by 200ºC vir 30 minute.

Haal die groente na 30 minute uit en laat effens afkoel, maar los die kors vir nog 30 minute in. Druk die knoffel uit die doppies en stroop die blaartjies van die tiemietakkies af. Verwyder die doppies en die takkies. Meng die eier, room en helfte van die cheddar en feta kaas.

Haal die aartappelkors na ‘n uur uit die oond en rangskik die groente daarin. Giet die eiermengsel daaroor en strooi die orige kaas daaroor. Verlaag die oond temperatuur tot 180ºC en bak vir 30 minute. Laat vir 15 minute staan voor die bedien word.

Bron: Facebook /Resep - Adam Cloete

Foto: Adam Cloete

and Sanitation Warns Communities Downstream of Vaal and Orange Rivers

The DWS warns communities downstream of Vaal and Orange rivers as water releases are activated to ease dam pressure during heavy rains

The Department of Water and Sanitation is currently implementing its Flood Preparedness Plan to ensure the safety of individuals and infrastructure, to minimise disruption of services, destruction of property and livelihoods due to flooding, and to guarantee that dams are 100% full at the end of the flood season if received rains would have enabled it.

Due to the continuing heavy rains in large parts of the country, many rivers are overflowing, and most dams are full and spilling.The same is occurring in the Vaal and Orange River System.The water level has risen rapidly and made it necessary to open more gates at Vaal Dam. Six (6) had already been opened and an additional four (4) gates were opened today, 17 February 2023 to release more water, bringing the total to ten (10).

to Ease Dam Pressure During Heavy Rains

As at today, an outflow from Bloemhof Dam was increased from 1 600 cubic metres per second, and further to 1 800 cubic metres per second.

Depending on the weather conditions in the next few days and resultant changes in river flow levels, more gates may still be opened, or some may be closed at Vaal Dam.The same applies to outflow from Bloemhof Dam.

Since rainfall and floods are a natural phenomenon and therefore control of the events may be limited, as such people should stay to out of harm’s way by ensuring that they avoid putting essential services and human settlements within parts of the floodplains that are prone to frequent flooding (i.e. within the 1 in 100 year flood line).

Ms Wisane Mavasa, the Spokesperson of the Department of Water and Sanitation calls on the farming communities along the river system to be more vigilant and put measures in place to avoid

loss of human lives, livestock and damage to property when water levels rise.

“We appeal to the farmers to be extra careful when the water levels rise, especially along the river system.They should adjust their water pumps, remove livestock and equipment out and away from the riverbanks. We also appeal to the general community to avoid fishing or swimming during heavy rains””, she said.

Ms Mavasa also encouraged communities to harvest rain during this summer rainfalls to augment water supply at their households.

Every year ahead of the high flow summer season rains, the Department develop and implement flood monitoring and forecasting systems, assesses the likelihood of flood incidents and its own preparedness to mitigate the adverse effects of these floods on its infrastructure and guarantee full capacity on its storage reservoirs.All requisite measures are put in place to ensure that the Department will

be able manage floods effectively.

All gauging equipment at sites used for flood monitoring are equipped with real-time river and dam level data transmission capability These data are analysed to determine rainfall, river and dam level trends which enable the detection of the possibility and timing of flooding.

Some of the dams owned and operated by the Department have built-in additional capacity for limited flood retention and some have gated spillways. These reservoir components make it possible to lessen flood impacts by reducing.The gates make it possible to pre-emptively release water from reservoirs rapidly and there by opening more space to store proportions or entire volume of potentially destructive flood peaks.

For more information, contact Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 060 561 8935.

Wees Wakker by Upington Mall

Kameras Oral Maar Niks Opgevang

Minanca Basson van Upington Skryf:

Die vreemdste ding het vandag met my by die mall gebeur

Ek het in clicks in gestap en toe kom daar 'n meisie op my afgestap. Ek skat sy is 21 jaar oud. Sy het net 'n kar sleutel in haar hand gehad. Sy vra toe verskoning dat sy my pla maar haar foon is sopas gesteel sy wil graag haar ma van my foon af bel, want haar ma gaan haar kan help om haar foon te trace.

Julle wees maar paraat. In die begin het ek haar geglo en ons het haar ma gebel uit clicks uit.

'n Vrou het met haar gepraat en het gesê die foon is by romans... En toe kfc. Hulle het vir teminste 'n minuut gepraat.Asof hulle tyd probeer koop het. Sy het toe die foon terug gegee en baie vriendelik dankie gesê en baie vinnig verdwyn. Daarna het my foon elke 30 sekondes gelui.

Ek het geantwoord en die "ma" in kennis gestel die meisie is nie meer naby my nie.

Sy het opdringerig gevra ek moet die meisie gaan soek en haar help soek na haar foon want sy sien die foon is nou in Checkers en nie meer in Kfc nie. DITalles binne 3 tot 5 minute. Ek het gesê ek weet nie waar om te begin soek na die dogter nie, toe antwoord sy ek moet by romans gaan kyk. En toe eweakielik my toe gevra waar werk ek..!?

Ek het gesê ek gaan nie my inligting deel nie en dood gedruk en haar nr geblock.

Ek het ongemaklik gevoel en het geweet iets is nie reg nie en vir Le Roi gebel. Hy het dadelik gekom en die nr ook gebel. Die nr het nie geantwoord nie en toe 2 minute daarna hom terug gebel.

Hy het die vrou in kennis gestel wie hy is en gevra hoe kan hy help.

Die "ma" het baie vriendelik gesê dankie haar meisiekind het reg gekom en dankie gesê vir ons hulp. Sy het soos 'n besorgde ma geklink. En totsiens gesê.

Wat toe vreemde gedrag weer was is die volgende:

Die "ma" het hom weer gekontak en vir hom gevra of ek by clicks werk of waar werk ek. En gevra of ons op 'n veilige plek is.

Hy het haar in kennis gestel ons is veilig en dat hy die saak agterdogtig vind. Hy het haar gevra watse kar ry haar dogter en sy het dadelik haar storie verander en doodgedruk.

Ons het na die mall se sekuriteit

Manie’s Bistro

gegaan om op die kameras te kyk.

Maar weens loadshedding het net een kamera wat op romans se stoep gewys het, gewerk. So ons kon die volgende sien. In die tyd wat ek moes uitbeweeg om die dogter te "help" het daar twee voertuie buite gewag.

Een kar met 'n GPnommer plaat met 'n meisie wat buite die kar staan en rond kyk en toe stop daar 'n klein bussie by haar ook met n GPnommer plaat. Die twee meisies het omgeruil van voertuie. Maar iemand anders het die bussie bestuur

Hulle het 'n periode lank gewag en die bussie het weg getrek en kort daarna het die meisie in haar voertuig geklim en ook weg gery

Wees maar net versigtig dit is baie verdag.

Hoërskool Namakwaland Atlete Presteer

Ons atlete het tydens die Suidsone-atletiek op Saterdag, 11 Februarie, ongelooflik goed gevaar

Ons is baie trots op elkeen en hul prestasies. Die uitsonderlike prestasies van dié dag is as volg:

Christian Gamaldien (0/15) het tydens die 100m 'n nuwe rekord vir HSN behaal.

Tristan Isacks (0/19) het

ook op sý beurt sy eie 100m rekord by HSN verbeter.

Bernard Hugo (0/14) het tydens die 1500m 'n nuwe HSN-rekord behaal.

En Eckhart Joubert (0/17) het 'n besonderse afstand in spiesgooi behaal.

Baie geluk! Ons sien uit na die volgende rondte.

SouthAfrica has been grappling with food security issues and soil erosion for many years.These problems have been particularly acute in the Northern Cape region, where the climate is harsh, and the soil is often degraded. However, a new initiative has been launched in the region that aims to address these challenges through the use of hydroponics chambers in schools.

The Northern Cape is known for its arid and semi-arid climate, which is characterised by low rainfall and high evaporation rates.The region is also known for its soil types, which are generally low in nutrients, have a low water-holding capacity, and are often heavily eroded due to wind and water erosion.As a result, the soil in the region is often unsuitable for growing crops using traditional soil-based farming methods.

According to Dr Gerhardus Nortje, a soil science expert from the department of environmental science at the University of South Africa, “After decades of intensive agriculture and human activities, many regions in South Africa are facing severe soil erosion, leading to reduced crop productivity and environmental degradation, poor farming practices have largely contributed to soil erosion due to poor land suitability evaluation and land use planning,” Nortje explains that the latter is due to the use of inappropriate land capability evaluation systems recommended by governments and incorrect guidelines for what soils may be cultivated and the conservation measures to be implemented.

His research suggests that effective land management and conservation practices are essential to prevent further soil erosion and maintain the longterm health of agricultural soils. Greenlab.bi is a hydroponics

organisation that is sponsored by the US Embassy, which has installed hydroponics chambers in several local schools.The chambers are small, selfcontained units that students and teachers can easily maintain. Each chamber can produce a variety of crops, including lettuce, spinach, and herbs.

Speaking to RACR, Dr Ricky van de Westhuizen, a hydroponics specialist, explains that “Conventional commercial farming is usually extensive, while hydroponic farming is intensive and requires a smaller surface area to produce the same yield”.

In hydroponic farming, the height of the greenhouse is used to grow crops vertically. Crops suitable for vertical growing include crops with a compact growth habit which can be stacked on top of each other, or indeterminate crops, which continue to grow upward when trellised and pruned until the plants are topped (growing points removed).

Tshiamo Molusi, secretary of the science club at Kimberley boys high, says that “I think hydroponics can play a big role in reducing climate change because it allows us to grow crops without relying on traditional farming methods that can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.”

According to Molusi, using hydroponic systems, crops can be grown indoors and in urban areas, reducing the need for transportation and minimising the carbon footprint associated with transporting food.

“Additionally, hydroponics uses less water than traditional farming methods, which can help to conserve water resources in areas where drought is a concern. Overall, I believe hydroponics is a promising technology that can help address

the challenges of climate change while also providing fresh, healthy food to communities,” Molusi adds.

The project has several aims. One of the primary goals is to improve food security in the region by providing schools with a reliable source of fresh produce. This is particularly important given the high rates of poverty in Kimberley, which make it difficult for many families to access healthy, nutritious food.

“By growing their own produce, schools are able to provide students with a balanced diet, as well as teach them important skills around food production and sustainability,” Molusi tells RACR.

Dimpho Dladla is a learner from KimberleyTechnical High School; she says that “I believe that incorporating hydroponic chambers into our class lessons would be an excellent opportunity for all learners, especially for female learners like myself,”

She explains that in the past, science and technology have been seen as male-dominated fields, and it is important to change this perception. “By using hydroponic systems, we can learn about plant growth and biology in a practical and engaging way that will benefit all learners regardless of gender,” she says.

According to Dladla, hydroponics is a sustainable farming method that can have a positive impact on the environment, which is an important issue for everyone. “By integrating hydroponics into our lessons, we can learn how to grow food more sustainably and make a difference in the world,” she adds.

Dladla believes that incorporating hydroponic chambers into lessons would be an exciting opportunity for all learners, especially female learners who are looking to explore science and technology in a practical and hands-on way

The hydroponics project has been well-received by the learners, and there are hopes that it will be expanded to other schools in the region. It is seen as an important step towards improving food security, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable agriculture in Kimberley and beyond.

* This story was produced through the Youth Citizen Journalism Fellowship, an initiative of the Rural Action for Climate Resilience project which is co-funded by the European Union and the Heinrich Boll Foundation. - By Keamogetswe Thomas - IOL

Astudent shows off his impressive hydroponic setup. Picture: Supplied

Upington’s Jasper Wiese is the Real Deal

It's a major irony that SouthAfrica have won two of their three World Cup finals with essentially makeshift No 8s.

Let it be said that MarkAndrews (1995) and Danie Rossouw (2007) performed with suitable aplomb in each instance, but they were still largely "locks at the back of the scrum", weren’t they?

Broadly speaking, though, modern-era Springbok rugbyand often before that, too - has been healthily stocked with quality specialists in the key decisionmaking position, including 2019 RWC winner and player of the match in the final Duane Vermeulen.

I strongly sense that the gnarly Vermeulen is building a solid head of steam now as only months lie ahead to the defence of the Webb Ellis Cup in France.This 36-yearold, who has seen and largely done it all, knows exactly how to time a run ... and it is being helped by Ulster’s prudent use of him.

I fancy he will only NOTmake the RWC cut if injury intervenes; his multipronged value needs no further explanation here.

But Sunday, watching Leicester Tigers' important 24-18 victory over Premiership leaders Saracens at Welford Road, also

dished up more notice that Jasper Wiese isn’t intending to simply help make up squad numbers during the massive international season ahead.

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Remember, he might be considered theTest incumbent at eight, considering that he began end-of-yearTests against Ireland and Italy, before being ruled out of the final match against England atTwickenham because of out-of-window considerations.

It enabled a pleasingly livewire, major opportunity for young Evan Roos (Vermeulen was rested for the entire tour, seemingly with longer-term goals in mind) which was a further example of Bok blessings in the position.

But Wiese had also done enough during 2022thunderous performances toward the back end of the Rugby Championship - to almost certainly book his own ticket to the French-hosted jamboree later this year

He was at in again in the weekend’s key home outing for theTigers, arguably only deprived of the "best player" mantle by an emotion-influenced decision to give it to veteran, debut-making former England fullback Mike Brown (released by Harlequins in 2021).

Apart from showing phenomenal stamina and manic work-rate on the heavy pitch and being a trademark, formidable physical presence - something that is a treasured part of the Bok forward DNA- Wiese also set the ball rolling early for the result with a spectacular rampage from the halfway line that led to a try for compatriot Handre Pollard.

Television commentators mentioned afterwards that his

showing was simply an extension of recent ones for Leicester by the stocky, nononsense 27-year-old from Upington.

Aday earlier, another rising candidate for regular Bok callups, Elrigh Louw, was one of the more sterling sources of goforward for a Bulls side who really should - considering their possession and territorial dominance - have seen off the Stormers (magnificently composed and cerebral though they undoubtedly are) in the north-south URC derby at Loftus.

No 8 won’t be serving up a paucity of options to Jacques Nienaber this year

Upington Artist Making

Waves in Cape Town

Upington artist Heidi Botha is becoming more and more in demand in CapeTown. Rust en Vrede Gallery in Durbanville have offered her a solo exhibition alongside some of the best artists in the country. Here is her latest painting called ‘Morning’a Schroder Street Scene.

You can see more of her work on her facebook page ‘Heidi Botha Follow the LightArtist’. Her works are currently exhibited at Kotze Gallery

Bloemfontein, Wine and Art in Clarens, Stellenbosch art Gallery and now Rus en Vrede in Durbanville

Making Upingon Proud

"Morning” Oil on board, Schroder Street Upington scene

Suffering is easier when shared. The emotional regulation of knowing that someone else is experiencing what you are helps to make sense of the pain.

At the Karoo Burn, partner team dynamics are everything. South Africa's notorious one-day ultra off-road race is not supposed to be fun.This is not a fun ride from Calvinia to the Ceres area.

The route is 242km, and you must complete it in 24 hours. It includes the notorious R355 dirt road – the longest and most soul-destroying stretch of dirt road in SouthAfrica.To some, it's inspirational.They revel in the desolation. But to most, the R355 is intimidating and can trigger extreme agoraphobia.

Most Karoo Burn riders don't attempt to complete the event solo.They prefer working as team either in groups of two or four

When two become one

But what happens when your partner expires, and you must ride most of the Karoo Burn alone?

That's what happened at the 2022 event to CapeTown rider Jan Odendaal (52).Alate convert to mountain biking, Odendaal only started riding in 2014. "My brother bet me a few cases of beer to attempt a sub five-hour CapeTown CycleTour That was the start."

Since his beers-for-ride introduction to cycling, Odendaal has become a committed rider Finishing the 2019 Cape Epic and many of SouthAfrica's other stage races. But his experience at the Karoo Burn was a challenge beyond.

Making the call at about 100km

"I was well matched with my partner You must choose someone with similar power output and riding ability. But the moment we started riding, he knew there was an issue.And I could sense his stomach bug had debilitated him."

Odendaal encouraged his teammate through the dark early part of Karoo Burn, while temperatures were cool before the day dawned.All the words of encouragement and adjusted

riding pace were of no avail.

"By the second water point, at 100km, he was done. We spent 20 minutes trying to organise comfort and logistics for him. But there's a moment where you need to process what's happened and get pedalling again.”

Everything is worse on your own Karoo Burn is murderously tough.And when you have planned and trained to complete the 242km with a partner, having to continue without one is a world of doubt and pain.The first mistake Odendaal made was setting off too urgently, on his own, from water point two.

"I knew I lost some time and went way beyond my planned race pace.You know, there's no teammate to slow you down anymore.To check on you.And once you tip over your ideal energy consumption, you’ve dipped into reserves."And exhausting reserves in a oneday 242km race is a big mistake.

For Odendaal, the challenge for those next few hours was solitude and readjusting to the solo aerodynamic burden. With a teammate, you can share the riding duty up front, taking the aerodynamic drag, while your teammate 'rests' trailing behind. As a solo rider, there's no drafting or aero recovery You are very much your own off-road domestique.

“It's the aero drag.And the loneliness.You know there are other riders out there. But the race distance is so vast that the field dilutes.And you can forget about joining other riders, to work as a team."

There are many worst parts of the Karoo Burn. But the moment of terror for most riders is near the end as the Katbakkies pass comes into view Aclimb that rates as challenging with fresh legs and categorises as the darkest pain cave when you’ve ridden 170km.

When to give up

"On Katbakkies, I wanted to die. I did. Halfway up, I hit the wall badly. I dismounted.Then I couldn't walk anymore. I stood for a long time, bracing myself against my bike. Not knowing what to do." Odendaal recorded half an hour of stop-start riding and walking up Katbakkies pass. And he consumed an incredible amount of hydration, too.

"I started the Katbakkies climb with my 1.7-litre Camelbak full. By the summit, it was empty And so was I."

For Odendaal, Katbakkies escalated to the realm of an unconquerable element. He resigned himself to quitting. More than once. "If someone came past me with a bakkie, offering me the bail-out option,

Jan Odendaal. Deep into his 2022 Karoo Burn pain cave experience. He’s riding again, this year. (Photo: Jan Odendaal)

Bladsy 16

Continues from pg 15

I’d have thrown my bike on the bike and taken the ride.”

How to keep going

What prevented Odendaal from quitting on Katbakkies when he was near his riding nadir?An ice queen.That's what.

"I kept seeing people in desperate shape next to the road, crawling for negligible shade among those Karoo bushes.And once I had crested Katbakkies and was convinced that quitting was my destiny, another rider's wife had a bucket of water and ice available. Which restored me."

Odendaal conquered Katbakkies to finish and earn his Karoo Burn medal. But he learned many, many lessons during the 242km ride.

What is Odendaal's weekend warrior wisdom for Karoo Burn, having ridden a deeply challenging version of the event last year? Water. Water And more water

"It was terribly hot last year. But you need to carry a lot of water Ride with the largest capacity hydration pack you can tolerate, even if it feels uncomfortable, with the shoulder straps cutting into your skin. Or forming a hotspot on your back."

Water is currency in the Karoo. Locals know that.And at Karoo Burn, you need to be obsessive about hydration.

Choose the right bike

But what about the mechanical elements of riding Karoo Burn? Are there bike and component choices which can reduce the suffering? Odendaal believes there are three technical choices that average riders can make which will benefit them.

The first is riding a mountain bike. Not a gravel bike.Although the latter might be faster, theoretically, due to its drop handlebars facilitating an aero position and those lower resistance tyres rolling faster, it's a false economy

"I passed a few upcountry riders who were on gravel bikes in the last 20km.They were broken. Hands and hips ruined from the vibration fatigue. Unless you are a hardened gravel bike rider, don't attempt Karoo Burn on anything but a mountain bike.”

Gearing and suspension pressure

Odendaal has changed his gearing, too, after his 2022 Katbakkies nightmare. "Most of us are riding 1x12 drivetrains. But you must be humble and sacrifice some flat terrain speed by dropping down a size on the

front chainring. I’m riding a 32t chainring this year. Instead of the 34t I used in 2022. Just to save me on Katbakkies."

The third mechanical wisdom Odendaal learned from his nightmarish 2022 Karoo Burn was to be more meticulous about suspension settings. Riders must respect the frequency and intensity of corrugations on the R355.

"I rode with my normal suspension air pressure and rebound settings.And those are for trail riding. Not dealing with the long-distance and extreme Karoo road corrugations. Suspension set-up is easy to do, so run a bit less pressure and faster rebound to deal with those high-frequency impacts from the

R355's corrugations.”

The end is the end - not 20km before

What is Odendaal's final weekend warrior wisdom for Karoo Burn?

“Don't give up at the end. I nearly did on Katbakkies.And when I finished, my wife thought I looked fine. In the last 25km, I inexplicably recovered. But it's incredible how many people quit with only 20km to go."

“Compose yourself and keep it together Although, in hindsight, that's easy to say once you have finished.There were many moments on Katbakkies where I was ready to quit." - News24

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Desolation. Desolation, And more desolation. This is the Karoo Burn Route. Photo: Jan Odendaal - Ride24

Top Global Student Is Driven By Positive Thinking

“I cannot explain how grateful I am. Because of what Kolomela mine did for me, I can prosper and create a better life for my people.”These are the powerful words ofAnnie Hole, a top global student whose life of poverty and positive thinking was her driver to success.

Afourth- and final-year student in ClinicalTechnology, specialising in nephrology (kidneys) at the Central University ofTechnology in Bloemfontein,Annie received a Golden Key award and a Golden Key medal as the top student in ClinicalTechnology

internationally

The Kumba Iron Ore Kolomela mine bursary changed her life. “I do not want to be poor again. I must be able to afford sanitary towels and go to bed with a full stomach. I get anxious and stressed when I think I am failing, as failing means that I

shall be going back to poverty.”

My dream

“My dream is to be a successful businesswoman and to open my own dialysis practice. Every day people are diagnosed with kidney failure, and some believe it is the end of the world, whereas it is not.You can still live with kidney failure as long as you attend dialysis.”

Annie has already made good progress as a businesswoman –she started two small businesses calledAnnie Cosmetic andAnnieAtchar. She used a portion of her monthly food allowance to start the businesses.Annie Cosmetic, a registered business, is a beauty brand aimed at helping women be more confident. “And more is yet to come! I want to create job opportunities for the youth and give back to the community through these ventures,”Annie

said.

Kolomela bursary changing lives

Annie chose a career in Clinical Technology as she always wanted to work in health science. Helping people is part of her makeup. “When I applied for ClinicalTechnology, I’d already done my research and knew it was what I wanted to do. I knew, however, that the only way to go to university was with the help of a bursary due to my family’s financial instability.”

Tips for learners and bursary holders

Focus on your books – matric results are very important and will determine your future.

University requires focus and hard work - you need to know why you are there.

Use the bursary funds wisely

Study hard and smart.

Ask for help if necessary

Attend classes.

Choose your friends wisely, because they can significantly impact your life.

Annie Hole

Zelna Barend’s founded Zenisha’s Play and Learning Centre (ZPLC) in January 2017 with the aim of improving the quality of life for children with Downs Syndrome, FetalAlcohol Syndrome, and other intellectual disabilities by educating them through play and occupational therapy as part of their learning.

Zelna, who has no financial resources of her own, survives on donations and a social grant.

Together with a group of volunteers she provides care for eight children, five of whom have disabilities, runs an afterschool program for 29 underprivileged

learners, holds workshops for 22 adults with disabilities, facilitates parent support sessions and runs outreach groups from a 12m cargo container converted into a centre in her backyard.

State care for mentally challenged children, particularly those born with FetalAlcohol Syndrome, is virtually non-existent in small towns outside major SouthAfrican cities, and in the Northern Cape’s Siyathemba Municipality, ZPLC is still the only centre supporting children and adults with mental and learning disabilities in the Siyathemba Municipality

Kumba Iron Ore Taking Massive Strain -Coal Stockpiles -Transnet Issues

Kumba Iron Ore's annual profits have halved amid a challenging environment marked by lower prices and challenges in logistics, costs and operations.

TheAngloAmerican subsidiary, which mines iron ore in the Northern Cape, reported a 27% decline in revenues from R102 billion in 2021 to R74 billion for the year ended in December 2022.

Headline earnings plunged from R33.2 billion to R18 billion and profit for the year more than halved from R43.6 billion in 2021 to R19.6 billion.

Attributable free cash flow of

R10.4 billion was 66% lower

The miner declared a final 2022 dividend of R5.2 billion, bringing Kumba's total shareholder dividends to R14.5 billion, or R45 per share, representing a total payout ratio of 80% of headline earnings for the year

Kumba CEO Mpumi Zikalala said the company delivered a resilient financial performance in a year characterised by a volatile macro-environment.

"Despite market volatility, demand for our high-grade iron ore helped us realise an average price of $113 per wet metric tonne, 13% above

benchmark prices," she said. “While we can’t control external factors, we believe there is much scope for optimism as we continue to focus on what is in our control, and to capitalise on our enduring competitive advantage – our high-quality product and working to decarbonise our value chain to meet the demand from a world hungry for green steel."

Kumba's share price fell half a percent to R544.11 in opening trading onTuesday. -news24

Bou Met Poort Beton in 2023

Het u al die materiaal wat u benodig om u projek suksesvol af te handel ?

Moenie onkant gevang word nie

Private fund managers Mahlako Energy Fund (MEF), Mergence Investment Managers andThird Way Investment Partners have teamed up to fund a fellow investment company,Aventro Investments, to help increase its shareholding and involvement in the Redstone 100 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) project, near Kimberley, in the Northern Cape.

The funding arrangement brings together a women-led investment team to support another womenled investment firm in boosting its shareholding in the Redstone CSPand molten salt project.

Redstone is the first of its kind to be developed in SouthAfrica,

with the capability of operating at full capacity for 12 hours in the absence of solar irradiation. It forms part of the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Once in operation towards the fourth quarter of this year, the $800-million project is expected to operate for more than 30 years.

The then Department of Energy in January 2015 awarded the contract to develop the CSP project to a consortium comprising energy developers Acwa Power and Solar Reserve.

Aventro is an active participant in

the Redstone project, both as a local shareholder and a partner involved in the development, procurement and construction of the project.

BesidesAventro, Solar Reserve andAcwa, other investors in the project include the Public Investment Corporation, Old Mutual LifeAssurance South Africa and Pele Green.

The deal is being orchestrated by Mahlako Financial Services, whose innovative approach to how it deploys its capital investment has enabled the country’s first wheeling project to come into operation, as well as the country’s largest power purchase agreement under the amended Electricity Regulations.

In turn, Mergence has invested about R1.5-billion in 14 renewable energy projects since 2010, totalling 600 MW of capacity. Moreover,Third Way’s fund-of-fund model also allows domestic retirement funds of various sizes to access diversified exposure to this growing asset class.Third Way has a proven investment record, with its R3.5-billion Infrastructure Debt Fund 1 having exposure to more than 30 renewable energy

projects.

Aventro is a black-owned investment company with extensive experience in the fields of smart proprietary technologies in the energy sector. It also has interests in the mining, property and agricultural sectors.

Aventro has set a target of having R10-billion of investments under management by June 2024.

“The investment intoAventro accelerates the development of renewable energy capacities, while adding much-needed dispatchable energy during peak. We are excited to conclude this transaction alongside Mahlako andThird Way to create a longlasting partnership,” says Mergence investment associate TshepisoAppie.

Aventro representativeTebogo Nkosi adds that the investment is testament to the fact that, with innovative funding models, coupled with partnerships and commitments to energy sector transformation, more black industrialists can be unearthed and contribute to SouthAfrica’s 35 GW renewable energy requirement. - Engineering News

Kolomela’s GM Matric Incentive Improves Matric Outcomes

In 2019, Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela mine, against the backdrop of the poor status of education in theTsantsabane municipal area, launched the Kolomela GM Matric Incentive. From the onset, the incentive was designed to improve the matric pass rate, to increase the number of learners qualifying for bursaries and ultimately enhance employment.

Community schools welcomed the intervention and early indicators demonstrate positive impact as we observe an overall improvement from participating schools. Bursary uptake has also increased as we received a total of 66 bursary applications in 2022 from the three local high schools compared to only 34 from the 2021 class.To reward special performers in the matric 2022 school year, Kolomela organised an auspicious event in the NG Church Hall. Furthermore, the occasion was used to award various bursaries to new students who will start their postschool studies at different institutions of higher learning.

Education is seen as a tool to eliminate poverty in community

“This initiative is in line with our Sustainable Mining Plan, which aims to build thriving communities through sustained efforts to improve livelihoods, health, and education.To create vibrant communities, we should keep encouraging our local communities to stay focused and goal driven so that they can achieve their dreams which will help them build a better future. This will enable us to contribute positively by decreasing the unemployment rate in Tsantsabane community,” says Tebogo Mushi – Newly appointed General Manager for Kolomela mine. “Our commitment to education is unrivalled.To get our communities out of poverty, the first step is to invest in education.”

Former beneficiaries applaud Kolomela’s bursary scheme

Several former beneficiaries attended the event and lauded the support given to them by the mine. In her speech, Jocelyn Basie, a BCom graduate, whose studies was funded by Kolomela, praised the mines bursary scheme. “Using this chance, I'd like to express my gratitude to

Kolomela for helping to pay for my education. In 2020, I was awarded the bursary, and ever since, I have been supported financially for my academic endeavors. I am really honored to have been selected as the recipient of this scholarship and to have had the chance Kolomela provided for me to advance my education.” Basie, a proud former learner at Blinkklip High School, is currently pursuing her second degree, majoring in Environmental Geology

Recognition of education excellence

The scheme rewards top performing host community

schools and learners with cash incentives which are awarded annually in January at a gala event. Receiving a whopping cash prize of R100,000 for the best performing school in the Tsantsabane municipal area, for the second time, was Postmasburg High school. Karikamma High School from Griekwastad came second and won a cash incentive of R75,000 with Blinkklip High School in a well deserving third slot taking back R50,000.Additionally, Postmasburg High School was commended for a 100 % pass rate in STEM subjects and clinched an extra R15,000 price for this feat.

The Kolomela Leadership Team poses for a photo with the education fraternity, the mayor of Tsantsabane, parents and the learners that received prizes for their commendable matric performances.

KOMPETISIE Wenner!!

Recent Rains in Kgalagadi Relief For Animals Alike

The KgalagadiTranfrontier Park never dissapoints, here are two Black-Backed Jakals enjoying some fresh rain water. Be sure to book at Kgalagadi Lodge for the ultimate experience.

Hey Leah PRINT SIGNAGE DESIGN Hey Leah

The Incredible Le Riche Family and their Kgalagadi Journey

Even though I have written Die Leeuvanger van Nossob, Elias le Riche and History of the Kgalagadi National Park I still marvel in wondrous amazement at the extraordinary tale of the establishment of the little rest camp we know as Nossob by the man himself, 60 years ago exactly

When one wanders through Nossob today it is hard to appreciate all the hard work and suffering that went into the creation of this veritable Kalahari oasis.

Elias was born and raised in the Park. His father Joep was the Chief Warden of the Park. When Elias matriculated he enrolled at the University of Pretoria and obtained a degree in zoology. He then applied to the National Parks Board for a position as game ranger in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.After his appointment he reported to his boss, his father

At that stage in 1963 there were only two camps in the Park, Mata Mata andTwee Rivieren. Joep was stationed atTwee Rivieren and his elder son, Stoffel, was the game ranger at Mata Mata.The Nossob region had no ranger As a result poaching on that side was rampant.

It was an easy decision for Joep to make. Elias would have to set up a post somewhere up north along the Nossob river bed. From there he would be able to fight the lawlessness that reigned supreme in the Nossob. Years before Joep sank a number of boreholes and erected windpumps in the Nossob. Joep knew one of them had sweet water and named it Lekkerwater. It was to this windpump that he sent his 23year old son with the task of building a new camp.

The young Elias leftTwee Rivieren with his assistant, the legendary Vetpiet Kruiper. On the back of his bakkie was his tent and provisions.They drove the 170 kilometers north and set up camp underneath the Lekkerwater windpump.There was literally not a single man made item around or near them. Elias started working. He first built a house for himself. He followed this by building an office and research laboratory. He and Doempie got married on 4 December 1965 and she moved into his house.At the same time she was also employed by the Parks board. Elias then built an

office and store room for Doempie.This was later expanded to accommodate a shop.Then Elias started building tourist accommodation.

During the early months the camp was simply called Lekkerwater but it was soon changed to Nossob.

At one stage Doempie made the decision to do something to decorate the entrance to the camp. She invited all the workers to help and to write messages for the future generations. She had the idea to build esthetic gate pillars.The messages were sealed in bottles and embedded in the foundations of the gate pillars. In later years the entrance to the camp was changed and the gate pillars became superfluous.Yet they remain and long may it be so. All these buildings and structures are still standing and functioning today, as evidence of, and a monument to, the fortitude and determination of a young man and his wife. Sadly the Lekkerwater windpump was demolished long ago but if one walks south along the fence from the gate pillars, near to the present hide, one can still see some metal spikes protruding from the ground where this old windpump had been standing.

The couple spent the next 16 years growing the camp as well as raising a family Their children were born when they were still in Nossob.The eldest two, Kabols and Susan, had to go to school in Upington, five hundred kilometers of dirt track away, causing incredible hardship to parents and children.

In 1980 Elias followed in the footsteps of his father Joep and brother Stoffel when the latter suddenly passed away. He, Elias, became the new Chief Warden and they moved toTwee Rivieren where he held sway for the next 15 years.

Elias and Doempie live in Upington today. I will see them next week.

I want to credit and thank Pieter duToit for the photograph of Nossob in the sixties.

The two books can be bought in the Park’s shops, Kgalagadi Lodge and DiamondTcoffe shop inAskham or ordered from me. Die Leeuvanger van Nossob, Elias le Riche costs R350 and History of the Kgalagadi National Park R250. Courier costs to anywhere in SouthAfrica are R100. Send an email to kosiemarais@gmail.com for banking details.

reception block, still performing the same function.To the right is Elias and Doempie’s first house.Today it serves as tourist accommodation. Note the camel thorn tree behind the bakkie. It is the same tree that offers shade to today’s tourists checking up on their WhatsApps, emails and Facebook status. I

Elias le Riche standing on the exact place where he pitched his tent 60 years ago. Behind him a few metal spikes protrude from the ground. These once anchored the Lekkerwater windpump to the ground.

An early aerial photograph showing Nossob camp. The Lekkerwater windpump as well as the gate pillars are visible.

Nossob in the sixties. Note the Lekkerwater windpump and the abscence of the gate pillars. Behind the windpump is the administration and

thank and credit Pieter duToit for sending me this photograph.

Apicture that evokes memories and engenders respect. Elias and Doempie le Riche in front of the old gate pillars.At the back the administrative and reception building is visible. Nossob camp is part of the legacy of these two people, yet they are the first to honour and pay tribute to all who worked with him: Vetpiet Kruiper, Willem de Waal, Hendrik Bezuidenhout, Kotie Herholdt, the Van Wyks, Vilanders, Jagers, and countless others.

A modern photograph of Elias and Doempie’s, later Gus and Margie Mills’s house.

Aerial photograph of Elias and Doempie’s first house, later occupied by Gus and Margie Mills, renowned researchers.

A modern photograph of the administrative and reception block.

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Kuruman

Gariep: The Story Of South Africa’s Largest Dam

There is no Karoo Riviera to be found here.

“The water that is stored here is extremely important. It is the lifeblood of the Eastern Cape right down to Gqeberha, and also the Free State. Millions of lives and jobs depend on it, so it must be kept as clean and unpolluted as possible.

“That and possible floods is why the whole dam, practically, is surrounded by provincial nature reserves along the 430km shoreline. We often see ribbokke on the islands, buffalo, eland, pairs of fish eagles.”

Back in 1912, DrAlfred Lewis, who was to become Director of Irrigation, went on a gruelling trip down the Orange River in 41°C heat and later wrote a detailed report about the potential of diverting part of the river’s water through a series of tunnels to the Great Fish and Sundays Rivers.

e’ve seen it in the rushing spectacle of the 2011 floods, the bone-crack drought of 2016 through 2019, through fawn winters and late-summer rainstorms. It’s different every time.

At first light, the surface is dark blue and copper. By midday, it is a moody khaki colour. In the late afternoon, it’s shot silk, silvery pink and pale blue.At night, the moon casts a bright path across the pewter-smooth water, and the clouds merge with the hillocky flat-topped islands as the dark sky falls to earth. In the summer, lightning flickers in the towering thunderheads before they drop magicians’cloaks of invisibility, hiding the horizons and then the islands with wet veils before lifting them to reveal a dramatically shiny landscape.

Water tourism

assistant pilot, Jacques Ackerman. Wikus efficiently guides the boat through the yacht basin where the various vessels gleam in the lowering sun, with names like Vlugvoet, Star Spirit, Just for Fun, C’est la Vie, Felicity, Firefly and Wild Child.Aprofoundly inelegant and nameless flat-bottomed raft is also moored there “just for braais”.

In December’s peak holiday season, when all 63 guesthouses in Gariep are full to capacity, he does this trip up to seven times a day

At a respectful distance away from the dam wall, Wikus stops the boat. From this vantage point we can see the faint brown highwater mark right across the dam wall, more than a metre above the water This marks the time of sustained floods in 2011, when the Caledon and Orange rivers rose dramatically and practically simultaneously, filling the Gariep Dam wa

One of the best places to behold this rather extraordinary body of water – SouthAfrica’s Mother Dam – is from a balcony at De Stijl Gariep Hotel on the hilltop overlooking the landscape. y faster than it could empty.

But when it is overflowing, people head straight for a view of the spillway, where the wall rises smoothly like a man-made cliff and the water tumbles over like a neat Victoria Falls.This only happens when the dam level tops 100%.

Every time the Gariep Dam reaches capacity, the water tourists stream into the area. Flood time is boom time, as they’ll tell you around Gariep.

Wikus Wiese has a flat-bottomed craft equipped with tables and chairs leaving most afternoons from the jetty at Forever Resorts.

He has lived in the town, on and off, for most of his life, as has his

Dam builder towns

Our guide tells us how the Gariep remained over 120% full for three whole months, water roaring over the spillway at a rate of five Olympic swimming pools per second.The only time the dam topped that level was very briefly, in 1988, at 129%. Barely five years later, officials recorded the dam’s lowest level at 19%.

Wikus also explains why the towns originally established to accommodate dam builders in the 1960s have remained comparatively small.They include Gariep (population 2,000, rising to 10,000 in the holiday season) and Oviston (population well under a thousand). Despite the splendid water views, neither town sports flashy casinos or timeshare accommodation.

Read in Daily Maverick: Norval’s Pont in the Northern Cape — where legends shine forever

Too cold for crocs

Unlike Kariba,Africa’s largest dam, there are no hippos and crocodiles.

“It is way too cold for them,” says Wikus. Despite being situated in the mid-Karoo, the Gariep’s water temperatures seldom rise much above 9 deg C in winter, and 12 deg C in summer This is mostly because the dam’s water comes from the icy Lesotho Highlands.

Wikus carries all the facts and stats in his head. Surface area of the dam? Close to 40,000 hectares when full. Circumference? 435 km. Hydropower into the grid? Four spinning turbines generate 90 Megawatts each, together enough to power 70,000 households when they are running.And then suddenly we were floating over the invisible line dividing the Eastern Cape from the Free State. Somewhere below us was the ravine where Dutch explorer and soldier Colonel Robert J Gordon became the first European to see the river. He named it in honour of the Dutch Royal Family back in 1777.

According to the Water Research Commission’s Water Wheel editor, Lani van Vuuren, the Orange River Project (building and linking the Gariep Dam and the Orange-FishTunnel) happened in part because of the international shockwaves caused by theApartheid government’s shooting of 69 Pass Law protesters at Sharpeville in 1960. The government of the day “needed to restore confidence in the country’s economy”.

Mega projects

It wasn’t a new idea, though.

He and many others recognised how it would unlock the potential of the drought-plagued Eastern Cape Karoo, where the soils were fertile but the rainfall sparse and the rivers ephemeral. The Orange River Project (ORP) was proposed to the government in 1948 but it was dismissed as too expensive. In the end, it was international pressure and the threatened outflow of foreign capital in 1960 that provided the trigger, and R490-million was collected to fund the project –about R75-billion in today’s money, estimated one water engineer

When the decision was made to embark on the Orange River Project in the early 1960s, the SouthAfrican government called for tenders from contractors all over the world.The main one was awarded to a French-South African consortium called Union Corporation-Dumez-Borie Dams. Thousands of workers pou

red in from faraway countries.

Multilingual bars

Paul Johns, a German of Welsh descent, left Europe after the Second World War to work in SouthAfrican mines and then Kariba, before taking a job at Gariep. Paul was part of the team that tunnelled underneath the river to check the geology and he later worked on cementation.

“I remember hearing seven different languages in the bar some nights.”

Construction on the new dam, the largest in the country, began in 1965 and was completed in 1971. Initially called the Ruigte Valley Dam, it was later named after Hendrik Verwoerd and then renamed the Gariep Dam in 1996, using the original Khoi name for the river. Work on its graceful double convex arch began in 1966.The wall is 88m high and 914m long. Built using a staggering 1.92 million cubic metres of concrete, it rests atop a thick geological slab of ironstone.The egg-shaped curvature of the wall spreads the tremendous pressure of the

Cruising the dam

The dam wall and spillway, flanked on the right by the hydro-electric power station which can provide power for 70 000 households. Image: Chris Marais

water towards the rocky abutments.

Inside the wall

The national Department of Water and Sanitation has offices overlooking the dam and occasionally takes groups on tours into the wall. Remarkably, it is not completely solid, and has 13km of passages and staircases leading right to the bottom.

Every day, someone from the department goes down into the wall to record the slight movement of the concrete.This is a job for one who is fit and undaunted by stairs.The dam wall is about 28 storeys high, and there is no elevator

When we were there, that person was JosephAlexander, who kept up a steady pace down hundreds of steps and all the way back up again. We paused at the enormous turbine hall, which has occasionally

been hired out for dances and launches, with a cash bar in the corner. In 1998, local farmers staged a sheep auction here, although no one seems to remember whether the woolly beasts in question were actually present.

The Roberts Splitters

We paused again at the spillway, the water coming down in a neat, fine sheet.

At the top of it, hardly noticeable, were the Roberts Splitters.These are deceptively simple but carefully engineered dark “teeth” projecting over the crest of the dam wall.They help dissipate the kinetic energy of the overspill water, making it tumble back and forth instead of falling in a steady scouring sheet that could eventually erode the rock at the foot of the wall – a major problem plaguing Kariba.

The splitters were named after a SouthAfrican engineer, Lieutenant-Colonel DF Roberts,

who came up with the design in 1936, long before this dam was built.They’ve been used on 23 dams in SouthAfrica, including Gariep, Vaal, Loskop and Vanderkloof, and have been deployed around the world.And we stopped again when we reached the rock bottom of the dam wall. Only metres apart, in a dank place far below the surface of dam and earth, Joseph stood on the Free State side, and we stood in the Eastern Cape.

The Long Bridge at Bethulie

It’s fairly well-lit but so cave-like that the steady drip of condensed water has created small calcite-rich colonies of stalactites and stalagmites. Halfway up again, we panted while taking in the massive hydraulic actuators that are tested every few months.They power the pistons that open and close six massive sluice gates weighing 95 tons each. When visiting Gariep, you should also do the very pleasant

drive to Bethulie, close to where the dam starts, and stand atop the Hennie Steyn Bridge. With its pleasing arches, this is the longest road-and-railway bridge in the country. It stands tall and proud over the Orange River far below

One of the final stages originally envisaged by the Orange River Project was the possible heightening of the dam wall if silt build-up began to limit its capacity, which is why this bridge is so lofty

It has not escaped the attention of Bethulie residents that if the dam wall is ever added to, all that would remain of the town would be their moederkerk church steeple, poking above the water And, of course, this graceful bridge. DM/ML

This is an extract from Karoo Roads I – Tales from South Africa’s Heartland, by Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit.

When the dam overflows, the spillway looks spectacular, attracting ‘water tourists’ from all over the country. Image: Chris Marais

The dark ‘teeth’ poking out under the spillway are the Roberts Splitters; there to dissipate the force of falling water. Image: Chris Marais

Following a guide deep into the dam wall. Every day, someone goes down to measure how much the dam is flexing. Image: Chris Marais

Water vapour rising to meet the clouds from the overflowing spillway – far right. Image: Chris Marais