Location

the forgotten corner of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Situated in the southwestern corner of the province and covering an area of 4070.sq.km. but with only a population of 60 000, it gives one an impression of the emptiness and vast open spaces. Surrounded by the mountain of the Drakensberg, Ingeli, Nungi and Swartberg, in winter when it snows it is the only area in SA completely surrounded by snow, the icing on the top being the Bokkiesberg in the center. Summer days are generally warm, with fascinating afternoon thunderstorms that cool the air for the evening ahead. There are numerous streams and rivers crossing the area, sheer cliffs, high mountains, vlei's and pans, bird life aplenty and out of the way places that even locals do not know about.

Within the towns there are many fine examples of the differing architecture used at the turn of the century. Each church has a history unique unto itself. The courtyard at the Royal Hotel in Matatiele is the place where the last duel occurred in this country. The museum buildings, both with there own fascinating history, house fine examples of the cultural aspects of the differing people that have populated "No-mans-land." While on farms cut stone buildings with shooting apertures at shoulder height bear testimony to the conditions that prevailed in the 1800's and which the people stodgily bore in order to make a life for themselves and there families.

This is not you're typically Zulu or Xhosa area. Even the Zulu's fleeing the wrath of Shaka found the area too hot in summer, too cold in winter, no wood for cooking fires and bypassed the area. The little bushmen were the only people to stay for any length of time until they too were either hunted into extinction or driven into the Drakensberg Mountains where they intermixed with the Basothos. Many fine rock paintings still bear evidence of their existence.

The first permanent settlers were the Griquas, arriving in 1863 after a two-year trek from Phillipolis. The final haul being at Ongeluksneck, north of Matatiele, a feat never before accomplished. Part of broken wagons can still be found there today amongst the crags. Their final destination was the slopes of Mount Currie where they built a laager to ensure the safety of those who had completed the trek.

Kokstad is the capital of the area, named in honor of Adam Kok III who led the trek. Matatiele is the second largest town and Cedarville lies between these two towns. Franklin and Swartberg are small villages established to serve the rural farming communities. Franklin was the first railhead in EG. The opening ceremony being boycotted by the folk of Kokstad as they felt the railway should have gone straight through to them. It did eventually, and now the whole area in inter-linked.

The Flats of Cedarville were swamps when the Griqua arrived. Home to vast flocks of geese and duck but today the water has largely drained away. The name Matatiele means, "The ducks have flown." Along the Umzimvubu River are sulfur springs while outside Cedarville you can visit a "Diamond Mine" Two enterprising fellows salted the mine with diamonds from Kimberly, sold it for a large sum of money and wisely left the district.

Journals written by early settlers tell of stock theft problems even then, an ongoing problem even today. Many of the 'Berg farms can now not be used for grazing because of this problem. Valuable agricultural land that is being wasted. Farmers looking for additional sources of income are beginning to appreciate that the peace and quite of the countryside is a marketable quality. With the proposed development of hiking trails, 4 x 4 trails, mountain bike routes and other activities, these 'Berg farm's can again be put to use.

Three years ago when "E.G.OUTDOORS" untied tourism under one umbrella body to better able us to market the area, there were a few B & B's in and around Kokstad, while on the farms were a few self-catered units. Today there is a wide selection of B & B's throughout the area, while more and more self-catered units are being opened up. There are now three 4 x 4 trails, trout fishing cabins on banks of dams or right over the water. While the area boasts 333 recorded species of birds including the rare Rudd's lark, White winged Flufftail and the largest flock of juvenile wattled cranes in SA.

With the anticipated upgrading of the road between Maclear and Matatiele, the third entrance into East Griqualand will be the shortest route between Cape Town and Durban and a subsequent increase in traffic in expected. The whole area, including the peripheries are ripe for development. The Matatiele TLC has agreed that the Mountain Lake and its commonage be turned into a Game and Nature Reserve. This alone will be an added attraction for visitors into the area. It is also hoped that a Griqua Tour of Kokstad will be established in the not to distance future. It is proposed that visitors be taken to the Mount Currie Nature Reserve outside Kokstad to view the Griqua and Boy Scouts monuments, then a trip around the town to the churches and museums ending at the Griqua National Independent Church.

Flyfishing - East Qriqualand Style

As a region, East Griqualand is definably one of the most unknown areas of South Africa.

EG, as we call our area, covers 4050 sq.k.m. and is found tucked into the southwestern corner of KwaZulu-Natal. Surrounded by mountain, dotted with numerous pans, dams and vlei's it is criss crossed by numerous streams and rivers. It is an agricultural area of wide-open spaces and sparse population.

Flyfishing in the rivers is usually best in winter, as violent summer storms often muddy the waters.

Apart from dams controlled by the Kokstad, Matatiele and Hopewell Flyfishing clubs, over the previous two years private landowners have recognized what they have to offer and began to develop their dams with accommodation on or near the waters.

Near to Swartberg can be found the following destinations - all with accommodation close by. Curragh Lake, with fishing in the lake and Ndwane River has 4 fishing cabins able to accommodate parties of ten in each. eMoyeni, on the 20 hectare Belmont Dam, with a wooden cabin right on the banks able to accommodate 6 persons. Fearnely Farm offers you the choice of two dams and a warm redbrick cottage near by that can take 5 people, while St.Bernards Mountain Lodge, a rural rustic Hotel at the foot of the 'Berg, has a small dam for you to cast a line and try your luck. On the way to St.Bernards can be found Stubb's Stable. A recently renovated cut stone building also able to take 10 persons with fishing in a tributary of the Umzimvubu.

And once you are tired of these waters, head for Cedarville, try Die Kroon's waters at the foot of the Bokkiesberg Mountains before visiting Die Hoek Trout Cabin, built right over the waters of a small dam. Opened only at the beginning of the year, it has proved an instant success. The owner, Robert Rawlins, will also arrange for you to fish the Matatiele Mountain Lake if you have an inkling too. The lake also now offers self-catered accommodation on its banks.

All the above are self catered units except St.Bernards which offers you a choice of catered, self-catered, camping and caravan opportunities.

But this is not all, within the near future there are other worth while destinations that will be coming onto the market, the dams already stocked with trout, all that is needed is time for them to grow and for the owners to finish constructing the accommodation!

Game Viewing

The Matatiele Mountain Lake and commonage covers an area of 5 thousand hectares and the Matatiele TLC are formulating plans to turn the whole area into a game and nature reserve. This will ensure the preservation of the diverse flora and fauna. The Lake is home to the rare Rudd's Lark, one of only two known nesting sites it SA. The Yellowbreasted Pipit, oribi and common reedbuck are also found here. Once fencing has been completed blesbuck, black wildebeest, burchell's zebra, red hartebeest, eland, Grey rhebuck and Grey duicker will be re-introduced.

Covering an area of 30 ha, the lake is 6 meters deep in places and stocked with rainbow trout. The 12 km climb from the town below, to the pristine wetland and rolling grasslands at 2 000 meters, gives breathtaking views across the Cedarville Flats right to the Drakensberg.

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KZN EAST GRIQUALAND

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Fly Fishing Griqua-Style
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