Page 41 - Kyalami_Issue2_2022

Springboks grazing in the veld

Image: Ria Truter,Unsplash
resuscitated the shrubs. He has kept The town’s story is delightfully currently a floral wonderland after
them watered ever since. told in Karoo Roads II. Co-author, unusual summer rains, probably takes
Julienne du Toit began her career as up half of South Africa.
Helein van Tonder, who teaches at the a Johannesburg journalist and Chris
local farm school, started an omgee Marais, her husband, is one of South One of the chapters in this latest
groep (care group) to keep the town’s Africa’s foremost photojournalists. The Karoo Roads book takes us deep
streets and parks clean. This is not couple, who live in Cradock, have had underground along the 83km Orange/
just a weekly task – they remove litter eight books published stemming from Fish River tunnel – a brilliant piece of
whenever they see it. their probing journeys across South civil engineering which sends 22 tons of
Africa. water per second from the Gariep Dam
Residents along the main road have to the Eastern Cape, but which shuts off
spruced up their modest Karoo-style They write separate chapters giving the supply for a month a year when the
houses and gardens. their personal impressions, yet they public can explore it. That is something I
frequently refer to the other, so the must also see.
The great width of the main road reader picks up their mutual enjoyment
speaks of the days when ox wagons, and their boundless enthusiasm for There’s a fascinating chapter on
drawn by spans of up to 16 oxen, had to what their publishers call ‘Faraway springbok and the drama of their
be able to do U-turns. South Africa’. Faraway? The Karoo, mysterious 19th century mass
migrations when they behaved like
lemmings mindlessly passing though
farms in countless numbers carrying
livestock and even other antelope
helplessly along in their midst
and often to their deaths in the
thirstlands to the west. The chapter
on the introduction of merino sheep is
equally fascinating.
I found the book a sheer joy to read.

The book is available in some book
shops but if you would like a signed,
first edition copy, email julie@
karoospace.co.za for the details.
The recommended retail price is
Julienne du Toit and Chris Marais R340, including delivery.

Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 • 2022 39