GENERAL NEWS - A quaint, artistic village in the heart of the Klein Karoo, Van Wyksdorp, was abuzz with excitement when representatives of Lottoland's Help 'n Dorp recently visited the town bringing a generous donation of R700 000 through the Saamspeel Van Wyksdorp initiative.
The funds are set to transform the town’s recreational and social spaces, fostering even greater unity and vibrancy among residents and its regular visitors alike.
A centerpiece of the project was the upgrading of the tennis courts, which now feature a netball court and a basketball court, creating a versatile sports hub for all ages. The improvements encourage healthy activity and community engagement.
Beyond sports, the funds also facilitated the development of a community gathering space.
The tennis court can now also be used for netball and basketball.... and choreographed moves!
Municipal land, adjacent to the old post office, was transformed into a community market and a beautiful garden, serving as a focal point for social interaction, local commerce and relaxation.
The community market, Saamspeel, was launched a few years ago through the initiative of Wendi Skowronek, Pam du Toit and Andi Brand, and has become a cherished part of Van Wyksdorp’s social fabric, providing a platform for local vendors to showcase their crafts and produce.
Locals and visitors benefit greatly by having direct access to local, home-grown and lovingly created products.
Cheers! Edith Nkoza en Sue Stein ready to raise a glass.
The festivities celebrating these achievements included a delightful olive, cheese and wine tasting at the Dusty Dog venue with entertainment by local resident, renowned South African singer-songwriter, Rian Malan and his Was Daar Band.
The celebrations concluded with a community braai at the Van Wyksdorp Mall, a real 'dorpswinkel' that sells anything from rural haute couture to 'soetkoekies'! The entire community participated in the festivities, with children taking part in a cleanup initiative and residents embarking on freshening up the town with generously donated paint.
Youngsters of the town took part in a clean-up operation.
The event also highlighted the support of local businesses and farmers, who contribute to upgrades and development efforts, ensuring that Van Wyksdorp, a part of the cash-strapped Kannaland Municipality, is a great place for all.
Out-of-towners have beautiful accommodation options including The Olde Post House in the center of town - an historic building that once housed the police station, the local telephone exchange and law court. It even has a beautifully renovated, ultra comfortable old cell block to stay in.
And the town couldn't be named anything but Van Wyksdorp, as in 1904 it was home to 200 Van Wyks!
A special thank you to:
• Van Wyksdorp Tourism
• Mont Rouge
• Jacks Paint Riversdal
• Nick Koornhof
• All the other donors and residents
Enjoy a lazy, historical audio walking tour through Van Wyksdorp. ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
