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NOTE: Some of these events and activities have already taken place, but we do not remove them from the website as they contain useful information and contacts.

Davies goes to war over rooibos trademark

by Jana Marais, 24 March 2013

MONTHS after a French company applied to register a number of trademarks incorporating the terms “rooibos” and “South African rooibos” in France, the government has finally decided to try to protect certain food names in the European Union (EU).

This week, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies sent a request to the EU ambassador for the protection of rooibos, honeybush and Karoo (for lamb meat) as “geographical indications” (GI). Read more....

Business Day Live by Jana Marais, 24 March 2013, 08:48

Anti-fracking lobby announces new legal campaign to fight government over shale gas mining

Tuesday 31 July 2012

The Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) has refocused its legal strategy in preparation for an all out confrontation with the South African Government to prevent fracking in the Karoo.

In addition the group has concluded agreements with like-minded opposition groups to form a broad alliance in opposition to fracking and will be making an announcement on this during the week.

"We have engaged the well established firm of Cullinan & Associates who will bring fresh thinking and decades of experience to our approach at this critical time in our campaign", said Jonathan Deal, Chairman of the Treasure Karoo Action Group.

Last year South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) imposed a moratorium on fracking with the aim of implementing a study into the environmental impact of the controversial form of shale gas extraction, which has been banned, or is under moratorium or restriction in at least 150 jurisdictions around the world.

It is anticipated that DMR technical report will be presented to the Cabinet early in August 2012 after which cabinet will make its decision on whether or not to lift the moratorium and allow exploratory drilling.

Companies that have applied to use the environmentally damaging process, include Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. and Bundu Oil & Gas (Pty) Ltd.

Fear that the licenses would be granted were raised when Energy Minister Peters noted during a recent departmental meeting that: "It would be wrong for us to not use the resources that God left us with. This is a blessing that God gives us, and we need to exploit for the benefit of the people" before noting that
the people of the Karoo were "going hungry."

"We have been preparing for the moratorium to be lifted for a long time," said Deal.

"Now in the run up to the decision by government we are refocusing our efforts to present a high powered, well prepared legal campaign which we believe will halt the minster in her tracks.

"For this we have selected the best legal minds that we can get to assist us to take this matter to the constitutional court if needs be."

"And we believe we have the support of right thinking South Africans as we move forward."

"We are not deterred by the fact that a number of people may have been influenced by Shell's relentless pro fracking propaganda regarding the size of the gas deposit to the number of jobs that could be created." said Deal. "We also know that Shell has been less than open with the truth about the irreversible damage to the environment that fracking causes and the figures surrounding jobs."

"The Government's dramatic reversal over e-tolling in Gauteng after massive public outcry earlier this year has shown that ordinary people are sick and tired of government riding rough-shod over the will of the people whose lives are most impacted upon by their often ill-considered decisions."

Our message to government is; "if you rule in favour of fracking, under the current circumstances, prepare for a long and costly legal battle as the people who will be most affected fight back ".

Issued by TREASURE KAROO ACTION GROUP

Jonathan Deal natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za

076-838-5150 or 023-358-9902

Artist calls for support Tel No 021 788 5098 \ 082 838 0271

“I am an artist/photographer who often draws inspiration from the Karoo,” writes Warren Nelson. I am calling on like-minded artists to collaborate in mounting an exhibition to open the eyes of fellow South Africans to the beauty, majesty and the secrets of this beautiful area. The exhibition is intended as a fund-raiser for the Treasure the Karoo Action Group and as such has their full support. I am currently looking for key people to help make this happen. I feel that we need to exhibit and inspire people to protect this unique, most spiritual area. Further information from wmnelson@mac.com.

The riverine rabbit

The Endangered Wildlife Trust Riverine Rabbit Programme recently ran a most successful one-week “camera trap trial”. For this Jeremy Bolton loaned 15 remote digital camers to the organization and 17 images were captured over four nights. “This is most encouraging because it allows us to view the rabbits in their habitat, see what they eat, what eats them, their social interaction and what they do as they move around.,” says Christy Bragg. “The cameras also show the time of the night the rabbits are active. Interestingly, 90% of the pictures were taken after 07h30. So it seems the bunnies like the early warm rays of the Karoo sun! We learnt a lot in this mini-trial, but it proved that we need our own camera traps. Anyone interested in donating towards this project should contact cristyb@ewt.org.za.

It's that time again.

It is time to visit the Karoo once more for the ever-popular annual Prince Albert Olive Festival. This year’s event, scheduled for April 27 and 28, will centers around the Fransie Pienaar Museum, Market Square and spill out across the nearby school’s sports fields. Highlights will include: stargazing, history and ghost walks, witblitz, wine and olive tasting, plus an olive pip spitting competition, a half marathon for the energetic and trips across the Swartberg Pass and into Gamkaskloof, The Hell, for explorers. Entertainment will be provided by Chris Chameleon, The Eden Minstrels and a Boeremusiek orkes that will play in the Beer Garden. Short cooking courses are available and restaurants will serve delicious olive and Karoo mutton dishes. As usual it promises to be a festival not to be missed, so remember to book your accommodation early.

Rose's Roundup, April 2012 (No 219)
To subscribe to Rose's Roundup, contact Rose Willis at: karootour@telkomsa.net

Facelift for the swartberg pass

Exciting projects are underway on the 124-year-old, Swartberg Pass, outside Prince Albert. Among these is the restoration of the dry-stone walls, a feature of this world famous, 27-km long pass, which was designed by Thomas Bain. Considered his masterpiece, it is now a World Heritage site. Convict labour used to build this pass and after work began in 1881 the project was fraught with problems. It claimed several lives. The Swartberg Pass, often compared to the breathtaking Djaraleng Pass in Asia, was officially opened on January 10, 1888 and since then it has been a popular tourist attraction. The un-tarred route straggles up and over the mountain in a picturesque series of hairpin bends supported by unique dry-stone walls. The route offers spectacular views across the Great Karoo and into the Klein Karoo. These can be enjoyed at several popular viewing areas where the diverse plant life of the pass can also be studied. The Department of Public Works is thus also building a series of benches at these outlooks, as well as some discretely-placed toilet blocks. Then, to ensure that tourists are provided with quality “information-on-the-go” new, better and upgraded information boards will be strategically placed along the route. Not only will these projects enhance the tourism potential of the pass but they will provide much needed employment for local residents of Prince Albert. People come from across the world just to drive over this pass. Many consider the winding gravel route an awe-inspiring, challenge, others simply come for the views and to visit Gamkaskloof, The Hell, a secluded valley, which can only be accessed from a road near the summit - 1 583 metres above sea level.

Rose's Roundup, Febr 2012 (No 217)
To subscribe to Rose's Roundup, contact Rose Willis at: karootour@telkomsa.net

Murraysburg goes green - Tel No 049-844-0139

Murraysburg has gone “green”. Inspired by an advertising board at the entrance to the village which proclaims “Mooi Skoon, Lekker Woon” (a lovely clean place to live) locals formed the Murraysburg Environmental Forum (MEF). This organisation instantly leapt into action planting trees and setting up a huge recycling programme. “We wanted to prove to the world that we were not a messy lot who didn’t care about our environment or the heritage of our descendants. We want our children to inherit the earth, so we are taking steps to keep our part of the Karoo clean,” said a spokesman. MEF’s aim for the year was to plant 2011 trees and they proudly say because they started in 2010 they have exceeded their target. In addition to major recycling projects for plastic, paper, glass, old electrical appliances and batteries, that are already underway, MEF aims to start a fuel-from-recycled paper plant, and a factory to manufacture a nifty three-in-one blanket-bag-cushion from waste wool. In the August issue of The Murraysburger MEF reports that their projects are well supported by the entire community. More details from maritatheron@mweb.co.za or jenny_ballantyne@telkomsa.net.

Rose's Roundup, Nov 2011 (No 214)
To subscribe to Rose's Roundup, contact Rose Willis at: karootour@telkomsa.net

Karoo writes to be saluted in Cradock

The country’s newest festival, the annual Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival, will be held in Cradock from July 8 to 10. This event grew out of the Spirit of Schreiner Festival, held last year to celebrate the life and works of Olive Schreiner. A comprehensive programme has been organized. It includes talks by noted writers, such as Cradock-born novelist Etienne van Heerden, who will discuss the Camdeboo connection in his book, 30 Nights in Amsterdam. Heather Parker Lewis will talk on her book, Olive Schreiner – the Other Side of the Moon; Michael Cawood Green, winner of the Olive Schreiner Prize for prose, on his book, For The Sake of Silence; Judge Chris Nicholson, on his book, Permanent Removal: Who Killed the Cradock Four and Darryl Earl David, with his co-author Philippe Menache, on 101 Country Churches of South Africa. Paul Walters and Jeremy Fogg will speak on the relationship between Olive and her husband Samuel-Cronwright and a “toast to the Karoo” will be proposed by novelist, poet and singer Toast Coetzer. A highlight of the festival will be a guided tour of ‘her’ Lingelihle, by Mayor Nyameka Goniwe, widow of anti-apartheid hero Matthew Goniwe. Journalist and playwright, Tony Jackman, will present a staged reading of Bloody England, his play about Schreiner and Cecil John Rhodes. Chris and Julie Marais will show Karoo slides; Sabata Mokae will talk about Schreiner’s Kimberley, and Chris Thurman on Guy Butler and Cradock. Eve Palmer’s Plains of Camdeboo and Return to Camdeboo will be re-launched by Penguin; Chris Mann will read from his Karoo poems, and Almore Cupido will introduce Clinton du Plessis’s poetry. In addition to some good food at top accommodation establishments, there will be two optional day trips - a guided walk to Olive Schreiner’s grave on Buffelskop and a day trip to Graaff-Reinet and Cranmere Farm (of The Plains of Camdeboo fame) led by Professor Paul Walters of Rhodes University English Department. For further details and costs contact Lisa Ker at 048 881 1650 or 082 410 5596, or email info@tuishuise.co.za

Simply the best -Tel No 023-541-1381\023-541-1366

Earlier this year Prince Albert’s extra virgin olive oil walked off with a top prize. The Special Karoo Blend was adjudged to be the top “delicate” oil in the commercial category and awarded a gold medal in the South African Olive Industry Association (SAOIA) competition. The oil was made by Essie Esterhuizen from olives grown on Fred Badenhorst’s farm. Essie’s special blend was made from Frantoio, Coratina, Favallosa and Mission olives. “Most people said a delicate oil could not be made in the Karoo because of the harsh climate,” said Fred in an interview with the Prince Albert Friend No 165. “We believed otherwise, so we adapted our irrigation schedules and the management of our orchards and we were proved right. South Africans seem to prefer delicate olive oils.”

Magic garden of a different kind

The people of Prince Albert use many kinds of indigenous plants to treat colds, fevers, pain and other problems. Many believe that sucking the leaves of the spekboom (Portulacaria afra) will lower high blood sugar levels or that placing a leaf of (Pelargonium peltatum) geranium in your ear will ease ear ache. Now, the Renu-Karoo aims to build awareness of the cultural value of indigenous plants and the long association between plants and people of the Karoo. So, with sponsorship from Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation in the UK, they have laid out a garden of medicinal plants near the Piet Basson Centre behind the Tourism Bureau and Fransie Pienaar Museum. The garden, started in July this year, includes 34 species of plants, such as Wilde als (Artemisia afra) and Dawidjieswortel (Cissampelos capensis), still medicinally used in the village. A free brochure, giving brief details of the plants and the ailments they are used to treat is available from the Museum and Tourism Bureau. “We hope that the garden, planted by staff and Nature Conservation students working for Renu-Karoo will make more people aware of value of medicinal and other indigenous plants of in the Karoo,” says Professor Sue Milton-Dean, who with her husband, Dr Richard Dean, runs the Renu Karoo project. However, she warns, it is not wise to self medicate with indigenous plants and herbs. “Always seek professional medical advice,” she says.

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