Page 15 - KZN Business Sense Vol.2 No.5
P. 15
Encounter East Griqualand – Country and Garden
Festival
By Dr Merida Roets, Scientific Roets, a business plan, strategy and and Matatiele, has become a have been able to continually add experts and celebrities, book
Kokstad funding proposal. It was agreed staple on the Open Gardens to the exciting array of events launches, dinners by local and
that the main goals of the initiative calendar in South Africa and has hosted. The Encounter has used celebrity chefs, music, fun and
In 2010, returning from the would be: 1) To draw tourists to been included in the KZN Open a slightly different approach entertainment.
open gardens of Bedford, two our beautiful area (which would Gardens since 2013. From initial to its Open Gardens initiative;
Kokstadians, Pat Dickerson assist the local economy), 2) To support of R 50 000 per year for keeping in mind the “extra 100 An impact assessment that is
and Pat Kotting, discussed the foster social cohesion, and 3) To the first three years from Tourism kilometres” that people need conducted every year during the
possibility of also opening up create a platform for any local KZN (TKZN), the Festival was to travel from our neighbours, Festival estimates that over the
some of Kokstad’s beautiful individual or group to raise funds self-sustaining from the fourth Underberg and Port Shepstone, three days approximately R 1
gardens to the public. The two for themselves or their causes. year. Through income generated to get to us……. The Encounter million changes hands and over
then eagerly brought together from tickets sales (a once-off is concentrated over a three-day 200 local individuals and fund-
a group of fellow gardening Six years later, and the entrance fee that allows visitors weekend, and every garden is jam- raising groups are able to add
enthusiasts and asked Dr Merida Encounter East Griqualand, entrance to all of the gardens on packed with “add-ons”. substantially to their incomes.
Roets to assist them develop which has expanded to include show) the Festival Committee The camaraderie and excited local
the areas of Swartberg, Cedarville There is music, entertainment, spirit of East Griqualand during
food and loads of gardening- these three days beautifully
related and other goodies for sale illustrates the warm and friendly
in almost every garden. Aside nature of the people of this
from the gardens, visitors can stop beautiful area.
in for tours at local progressive
agricultural operations such as an This year the Encounter East
intensive rotary dairy, the Ferrero Griqualand takes place on the
Roche Hazelnut farms, espaliered 4th, 5th and 6th of November
fruit orchards, horse-riding (Saturday is Guy Fawkes day
events, several markets including and there’ll be a noiseless
a Farmer’s Market selling local fireworks display!). Visit our
produce and other locally-made website: www.encountereg.co.za
products, a Flea market (with for more information about
loads of kid’s activities) and an accommodation options and to
agricultural show, a trail run and plan your jam-packed, three day,
mountain biking event (book on itinerary!
Roag ) and several environmental
events that show-off our unique Come. Enjoy. Encounter East
and varied pristine environment Griqualand! n
(our Watsonia’s are in full bloom
during the festival and wild-
flower talks are also included!).
The evenings are filled with
talks by local and South African
gardening and environmental
Tugela transfer time frames set
Dave Savides pending construction.They also contractor for the project will be managing director Mpho Mothoa, normal maintenance outages will
gave the assurance that the budget chosen from the DWS data base set who asked that there be ‘no be suspended on the current TTS
Assurance has been had been secured for the project, up 18 months ago, thus shortening sleepage’ on a project that has pipeline so as not to interrupt the
given that the project which will increase the rate of the selection process. We should already lost ground. supply of water to Goedertrouw
to double the capacity transfer from the present 1.1m3 per conclude the procedure and have while the new system is being
of the Tugela Transfer Scheme second to 2.4m3 per second. the service providers on site by It was agreed a technical task built.
(TTS) pipeline supplying water 1 November this year, aiming at team would be established to
to the Goedertrouw Dam is at “An amount of R407-million, project completion and delivery of formulate a project risk plan. It Some believe this could put the
last firmly on track. Speaking to split over two financial years, water by 13 November 2017.” was also requested that DWS take ageing infrastructure in jeopardy
a packed stakeholder gathering has been provided and the away all other responsibilities from if it continues running at full
at Mhlathuze Water on Tuesday procurement process has begun,” Fears of ‘sleepage’ DWS project manager Muneka capacity for over a year. A warning
20 September, the Department said DWS deputy director But the pronouncement did little Paradzai, who has been seconded was also given that doubling of
of Water and Sanitation (DWS) general: strategic and emergency to Richards Bay for the duration of the TTS capacity would do little to
finally gave time frames for the projects, Trevor Balzer. “The single to raise great levels of enthusiasm the project. restore levels of the Goedertrouw
among skeptical attendees, based Dam, which could take as much
DWS deputy director general: strategic and emergency projects, Trevor Balzer, on the poor track record to date Following the meeting, doubt as five years to fill if good rainfalls
addresses the meeting chaired by ZCCI president Judith Nzimande. With them in the context of the dire drought was expressed that the DWS return.
is DDG community & stakeholder engagement: ministry of water & sanitation, that is on the brink of crippling time frames could be fulfilled,
Aviva Manqa Dave Savides industry and agriculture. given the normal lead times for Meanwhile, all efforts are being
procurement, ordering of material made to maintain the current
“I must point out that the project and site establishment – especially water usage reduction, with
is already six months behind on government projects. industry and agriculture praised
the dates first envisioned,” said for their efforts in reducing
Zululand Chamber of Commerce Long recovery road ahead consumption. n
and Industry (ZCCI) president A promise has been given that
Judith Nzimande. “This despite (First published in the Zululand Observer)
the fact I have pestered the DWS
and minister incessantly, both in
writing and via numerous phone
calls. The lack of response at
times has been disheartening, and
our fear is that we will again be
subjected to delays.”
This was supported by RBM
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