Winning Letter
Never has it been so easy! Write us a letter and you might win. Oh yes, we do get all kinds of request, such as asking us to feature stories on a particular area especially for an upcoming family reunion. Now this is what I call opportunistic, but who knows, we might even consider your request.
Letter from Mr Falck
You seem to have a few recurring themes which you can’t get away from, eg SA as the cradle of mankind (doubtful thesis), Natal Battlefields (from the British perspective only), San Art / Black Art, the “inboeksel” system (extent thereof vastly exaggerated) and Lesotho’s right as the Conquered Territory (doubtful thesis). These are all interesting but do you have to keep on repeating them?
Of course your apparent dependence on municipalities and CT Tourism doesn’t help to widen your vision either (alternatively, it restricts it). Meanwhile, the Western Cape doesn’t often feature in ToGOTo.
You can hardly expect many Afrikaans subscribers when you translate letters received in Afrikaans into English for publication. Even SA Country Life doesn’t do that.
We hardly ever hear of Harrismith. Are they not interested?
OTHERWISE YOUR MAGAZINE HAS POTENTIAL
Mr Falck is not only one of our first and faithful readers, he is by far our top correspondent – hardly a month goes by that he does not write, although we don’t always publish his letters. We take note of your subjective views, Mr Falck. Thank you for sharing them, although you are wrong in saying that we keep on repeating topics. Have you ever considered the fact that some issues, like San rock art, are an important South African product, and more and more books are published on the subject. For good reason, I think – demand. Do bear in mind that we have an international subscription base, therefore we unfortunately have to translate Afrikaans letters.
Cape Town with its Table Mountain is probably one of the best-known destinations in the world – so I guess they look after themselves well. The strength of ToGOTo lies in the fact that we cover the not-so-known parts of the country. Not that we are ignoring the Western Cape – you will be pleased to see that in this very issue we’re venturing off into the Western Cape.
I might also mention that the Natal Battlefields seem to be of great interest and Dave Sutcliffe has proved to be one of our most popular authors.
On Harrismith? Well, they have eventually come aboard – you just wait and see. Ed
My apologies for not earlier acknowledging with thanks receipt of Mapungubwe: South Africa’s Crown Jewels It was good to be a winner for once! The book is quite fascinating, although the writer might perhaps have given a bit more detail about the dating techniques and the relationship of Mapungubwe to other sites in the area which have similar dates. Also there is no bibliography! However, perhaps the intended readership was the general public and not academics. It’s a coffee table, not a library book. Thanks for continuing to send me ToGOTo, and let me know when a renewal is required. With all good wishes David Ambrose
My apologies for not earlier acknowledging with thanks receipt of
Mapungubwe: South Africa’s Crown Jewels
It was good to be a winner for once!
The book is quite fascinating, although the writer might perhaps have given a bit more detail about the dating techniques and the relationship of Mapungubwe to other sites in the area which have similar dates. Also there is no bibliography! However, perhaps the intended readership was the general public and not academics. It’s a coffee table, not a library book.
Thanks for continuing to send me ToGOTo, and let me know when a renewal is required.
With all good wishes
David Ambrose
Having only just begun reading ToGOTo, I can tell you that you have already got me interested. Anneke and I could get in the car right now and travel to all the places you write about. I cannot imagine what it takes to put a magazine such as this together and make it the success it is. It is outstanding and we enjoy it immensely.
I’ve also checked out your website – there’s so much on it, it’s really easy to use and the graphic design is also a great job.
Wishing you every success with ToGOTo. I’m sure you have a lot to look forward to.
Regards
Albert
Many thanks to ToGOTo Magazine and Khamkiri Adventures for my awesome prize of a Khamkiri rafting trip; we had a rafting of a good time on the Orange River.
We experienced a well-rounded trip of friendly, knowledgeable, professional guides; always felt safe in their capable hands; sound advice on how to paddle and tackle the rapids; not to mention their wonderful cooking skills.
Although the prize was for 4 people, we were only 3; a school teacher from Swaziland, a tour guide from Gauteng, and myself, a circus performer. My two friends admitted being scared of the rapids and had slight nightmares before the time, but these fears they soon overcame.
We camped two nights on the banks of the river; had many sightings of birds and river animals. As we set up camp on the banks of the Orange River, ‘loo loo` the port-a- loo was erected and to our amusement renamed ‘Moo Loo’ when we saw the Nguni cattle investigating it one morning
We were so excited to see an otter playing on a rock until Kobus realized that the movements were unnatural and as we paddled closer we saw that it was trapped in a huge grotesque trap, and between the 3 of us, we pinned down the biting otter as our guide Kobus managed to open the trap and the exhausted and frightened otter swam away. After a stressful beginning it had a happy ending but it brought back to reality the recurring ongoing problem in the wild of poachers.
It was sad to eventually leave as we all felt we were parting from our newly made friends and leaving a piece of paradise.
Thank you again ToGOTo magazine....... and what an informative and well-rounded magazine.
Regards,
Susie Wilkie
Hi Heinrich
After the TGT Tourism Expo, the response and feedback from Con and the rest of the N3 Gateway team was extremely positive. They were, in fact, all very impressed with the event and the friendliness of the Bethlehem townsfolk, which is nice to know.
Con feels felt that the Expo is worth considering for 2010.
Many mentioned that they made wonderful contacts and for some of those manning the stand it was a great learning curve too. It also afforded Thokozani (our Tourism Intern) an opportunity to get his teeth into something worthwhile – and I think he did a pretty good job.
All in all, congratulations to you and the rest of the ToGOTo team. I am sure it wasn’t plain sailing but you did a fantastic job.
Andy N3TC
The success of the Expo was a result of great support from certain role players – thank you very much for your highly appreciated cooperation. Ed
Anita
This story took me back to my childhood days – wonderfully nostalgic! Those were the days when I paid 7 cents for a newspaper to be able to read the rugby results, and I read three papers a day. We listened to the matches over the radio because, as you know, there was no TV then. But the best for me was when I would go to watch movies in our town hall for 14 cents a ticket. There were short news reels like SA Mirror which would show the rugby highlights. And I wouldn’t miss them for the world – because I could SEE my heroes on the screen. And the films would keep on breaking (they were spooled onto projectors). And do you remember the Zorro stories with a new episode each week? Oh, where are those days?
Gustaf
Gustaf is the author of the feature “A Trip Down Memory Lane”.
Dear Elizma
We, the personnel of Maluti Hoogland School, would like to thank you and your team at ToGOTo for the wonderful way you organised and presented the Miss Tourism and Mr Adventure competition.
Our three learners who entered the event enjoyed the Adventure Day in Clarens tremendously. This specific outing meant a great deal to them and they are still talking about all the fun activities and the pancakes they ate.
Thank you for making it possible. Good luck for the rest of the year.
Maluti greetings
C D’Alebout (teacher) PE Smith (principal)
We have taken note of your enthusiasm and support, and highly appreciate it. Thank you. Ed
Dear N3 Gateway members
The ToGOTo Expo held in Bethlehem over the weekend of 25 to 27 September went extremely well. For a first-time event, we are grateful to ToGOTo for taking the initiative to showcase tourism projects within the Eastern Free State and, as a result, N3 Gateway members in totality. Those who attended the Expo and contributed to its success were most impressed with the overall organisation and dedication of the few individuals who made it happen. We are also grateful to Free State Tourism for their contribution to the Expo.
I would like to thank the N3 Gateway members for supporting the event and particularly those who helped man the N3 Gateway stand. We were very conscious of the sacrifice made by all who took the time from their long weekends to be part of the action.
We trust that the Expo will prove beneficial in the months to come and look forward to the possibility of working with ToGOTo on their 2010 Expo.
With thanks – yours in tourism
Thokozani Xaba N3 Gateway Intern
Your ToGOTo has become a favourite with our guests due to the pertinent articles which you have. They are of great interest. I actually have copies of most of the issues and we often refer to them. Lynette Heron Spionkop Lodge
Such a privilege - and a special thank you to the Heron family for looking after us at the lodge, as my husband won a weekend away through ToGOTo Magazine.
The path to the lodge is a splendour of beautiful aloes, indigenous plants, trees and bush – one is struck by the beauty of the land in all its splendour.
It was quite a sight arriving at the lodge, which is really spacious with big lawns and old colonial farm house buildings. Sir Winston Churchill stayed there and made history as he said he “would write it”.
On arrival we were met by six gorgeous dogs, three Jack Russells, two Ridgebacks and a Great Dane, all guarding the property as though their lives depended on it.
Entertainment involves day tours, game drives, battlefield tours, bird watching, DrakensbergMountains, Bushman Rock Art, boat cruises, hiking, canoeing and many other activities round and about. Raymond is an expert on the history of Spionkop and the war of 1900; a raconteur and very informative.
Nourishing food was served every day, and we really were impressed by the hospitality of everyone, including the staff serving the meals.
Known to all and sundry, the battlefields are awesome. One has to be there to visualise what really took place. It is heart breaking - all the soldiers from both sides who were killed in this great battle in January 1900.
Our family who were with us, including our daughter Samantha and our Grandson Justin, were treated to two 4x4 trails which were enjoyed by us all. We saw giraffe, zebra, bush pigs, kudus, and a variety of birds.
Points to ponder: ToGOTo is a wonderful magazine, very informative, the correct size as one can manage to hold it without any problems, and last but not least, Spionkop is the place “to go to”.
Thanks once again. Boyd Cooper and Family, June 2009
How are you? Hope you had a good weekend and that Callie enjoyed Fathers Day.
We spent the whole of Saturday in Bloem, stuck in Mimosa Mall. Could not do everything we had planned because many roads had been blocked off and the city was choked with soccer fans. But it was a really lekka festive atmosphere. Everyone was so friendly and excited; green and gold everywhere! It was good to be a South African. Pity we lost to Spain, but after our win against the Lions, fans surged into the mall, all blowing vuvuzelas. What a noise, but we didn't mind, and they eventually moved out again.
My sister came in on the Greyhound at 9pm. The terminus is right next to the stadium, so it was chaotic. Buses and people everywhere, but the traffic controllers and police were all on the ball. Mangaung did itself proud, just as we advertised!!!!!!!!!
Rose Lund
I read with interest the article about the Stephanus Swart incident. I do not know where David got his information, but my sister Petro van der Linde (Swanepoel) is researching the story for my family and would like to get in contact with him.
As it happens, Magdalena was my great-grandmother on my mother’s side, Petronella. Her mother, Nella Oosthuizen, my grandmother is the sole surviving child of Magdalena. My grandmother was 11 when the incident occurred.
I am not sure if you would want to do a follow up on your story and would like to talk to my sister and grandmother about that; however we would be grateful if we could get in contact with David.
Thank you for your time.
Anton Swanepoel
(This letter refers to the article “A bloody day – The Potter Hill Incident – by Dave Sutcliffe - ToGOTo Volume 23)