Durban - The East Griqualand Highlands is possibly one of KwaZulu-Natal’s best kept secrets. For many, Kokstad is something of another grubby “frontier” town where people only stop for petrol on their way through to more interesting destinations.
However, without even having to look too hard, these beautiful mountain highlands and rolling farmlands have much to offer, and every spring, in order to share and showcase their region, the people of the district put on one of the most delightful festivals in the province.
The “Encounter East Griqualand” Festival will be taking place from October 31 to November 2 and is the perfect weekend getaway for those wanting to explore the KZN Highlands for the first time because there is literally and figuratively, a little taste of almost everything on offer in this region.
Pat Dickerson, one of the organisers explained that although the beautiful local gardens in the district were the primary driver behind the initial establishment of the festival, after four years and much hard work by the volunteer committee, the festival has grown by leaps and bounds.
“This year it consists of a street market, music in the gardens and at various other venues in and around the town, cycling tours, art exhibitions and craft shows, a golf tournament, classic cars, artisan food and more.
“We include everyone who would like to participate and hold many of the events at local schools in the community as well. We have musicians, artists, Sushi and Song and a cocktail evening.
“The Bryan Clark Percussion Enterprise (Sasol and Samro award winners) are playing at various venues including some of the schools, and inspired by the Darling Voorkamerfees. We even have some small storytelling sessions at the local museum where elderly people from the Griqua community will be telling their stories of the old days and the history of East Griqualand.”
Gardens
Eleven stunning gardens will be on show and you can drive, stopping off for tea and cakes or snacks and even lunch at various gardens.
If you have mountain bikes, there is a leisurely, 40-odd kilometre “scenic Sunday cycle ride” for all or part of the garden-to-garden trail with breakfast along the way.
Vibrant vegetable gardens, lovely old farm sheds, stunning rose gardens, mass flowering gardens of indigenous and mixed beds, spacious lawns, beautiful old trees and generations old farmhouses such as Brechan Farm, which was the original homestead of Archie Scott a blacksmith who came to Kokstad with the Griquas, can be visited.
Each farm has something special to offer such as aquaponics and hydroponics demonstrations at Bonnie Ridge.
Well-known Eastern Cape artist Bob McKenzie will have paintings displayed and also demonstrate oil painting techniques at Rietfontein where the garden looks over the dam.
Plants and garden tools will be on sale at some farms such as Flitwick Grange and Chertsy. Horse rides for children, photography, botanical art, spinning and wool products will be on sale and at East Field you can buy Miglio jewellery while a local school makes and sells excellent pancakes.
Other farms will also have teas and light lunches such as hotpots and homemade farm bread, local artisan cheeses, preserves and rusks. The famous local Mooi Plaas home industry baked goods will also be sold.
Another amazing garden is the privately owned Prayer Garden with its winding paths through a lovely forest along the edge of a bubbling river with peaceful “stations” along the path where one can sit a while to contemplate the beauty of nature. During the festival, sunrise prayers will be held in the garden.
Tanya Visser, celeb gardener, presenter of The Home Channel and magazine, The Gardner, will be providing gardening tips and answering questions at St Patrick’s College.
For those who want to explore the natural environment at a more leisurely pace during the festival there is a wild flower walk as well as a visit with one of the local experts to the gorgeous, protected wetlands and pretty bird hide. Pack your wellies, binoculars, a couple of beers or a bottle of wine to enjoy with the snacks provided.
Fly fishing
Although not part of the festival this year, fly fishing is excellent in the region and you can arrange a horse-ride or 4x4 trail up into the mountains to one of the highland dams on private farms for a spot of fishing. Some of the locals let their cottages, which is great for a weekend getaway.
Cranes
Kokstad is one of the few places you can see all three crane species, the Grey crowned, the Blue and the Wattle crane, in one day. So during the Encounter weekend, the organisers have arranged a three-or-so-hour self-drive tour lead by an expert from the Endangered Wildlife Trust to give visitors, not just a chance to see the cranes, but also to explore the area.
Food
Being a farming district, the food heritage in East Griqualand is amazing.The area is known for its artisan cheeses and other fresh produce.
Inspired by local and seasonal produce, Penny Fitchet, co-owner of Journey restaurant and contestant in a current South African TV cooking competition is providing light lunch in one of the gardens, and Quill Breweries is showcasing their craft beer accompanied by tastings and talks.
You can also pop in at the African Hazel Nut project started in 2009 by Italian company Ferrero to supply the famous Ferrero Roche brand chocolates.
The Red Meat Industry runs a competition for the best animal on show, as well as one for the best carcass. Ten local “celeb” chefs then participate in the Standard Bank cook-off, competing for the best cooked steak, all steak having been taken from the best carcass.
It is also known that people are seldom seen leaving Kokstad without some of the famous regional steaks or biltong tucked under their arms.
Sheep
This area is famous for both the quality of its sheep and cattle so there’s no point in going all that way and not taking yourself and your children to see some sheep shearing, part of the national competition, at the polo grounds.
Something else kids always enjoy, especially little boys, is a visit to one of the local 1 000 dairies.
Contact
www.encountereg.co.za, Pat Dickerson: 082 851 1555, Sonja Moxam: 079 335 1807
Sunday Tribune