Page 19 - IFV Issue Issue 9_2022

Out & About

walk up the koppie adjoining the house.
Dogs can be let off their leashes for part
of the trail. The koppie has interesting
grasses and flowers and boasts a bird
list of 160 species. There are also picnic
spots and a caravan park that has
24 stands and ablution facilities.

THE FRIENDS OF SMUTS HOUSE
The Friends of Smuts (FoSH) is a
voluntary organization that often
arranges regular cultural activities at the
Smuts House Museum. Events include
guided bird and nature walks, and
monthly Supper Talks on various topics,
usually relevant to General Jan Smuts, or
about the environment.
The fee to attend the monthly
Supper Talks is usually R120 for
members and R150 for non-members,
and ± 50 to 60 people attend these
talks regularly. They have some very
interesting topics and there is always
a good meal before the talk. On nice
summer evenings, you are able to sit
out in the tea garden under the stars
for dinner and then go into the little
lapa (beside the house itself) for the
talks themselves. The evenings are
very pleasant!
Friends of Smuts House enquiries:
confplan@iafrica.com / 012 667 4924

SMUTS HOUSE MUSEUM
Address: 53 Jan Smuts Avenue, Irene.
The Oubaas Trail GPS coordinates: 25° 53.36S / 28° 13.83E
Facebook:
many world leaders there, including the was one of the most enlightened, www.facebook.com/smutshousemuseum
British Royal Family during their 1947 courageous and noble-minded men of Website: www.smutshouse.co.za
tour of South Africa. It is interesting how the 20th century – a man who fought Contacts: Museum: (012) 670 9016/7
this unpretentious building strikingly for his country but who thought for the Email: info@smutshouse.co.za.
illustrates Smuts’s indifference to luxury whole world.” In addition to the military Opening hours: Daily from Tuesday to
and ease of living. artefacts, there is an Armstrong gun in Sunday 09:00 – 16:00.
The Museum was home to Smuts and the grounds, as well as a Honey tank and The gate opens for walkers from 07:00.
his family for over 40 years. It is a unique Smuts’ Cadillac. Admission fees: R50 for adults and R30
museum that reveals much about the A guided tour of the museum for pensioners and children.
life and spirit of this great statesman. can be booked in advance – Hiking/Dog walking: R10 per hiker and
Smuts served his country as a freedom call: 012 670 6016/76, or email: dog walker.
fighter in the Anglo Boer War, and was info@smutshouse.co.za. Parking charge: R10 per car at weekends
a Member of the British War Cabinet in for secure parking.
World War I and World War II. ACTIVITIES Guided tours: Can be booked by request
Winston Churchill said of him: “He ‘The Oubaas Trail’ is a 2,3km circular – (012) 670 9016

The Villager • Issue 9 2022 • 17