Issue 11: Mountain Valleys in South Eastern Part Western Cape

The soul of this stretch of land a day’s drive east from Capetown seems a curious mix of rough plains with mountain backdrops of unbelievable beauty, pioneering outposts with a spirit of independence, and designer art studios whose isolation from the city allowed creativity to flourish.  In regions, one sees endless rows of olive trees stretched into the distance. One can also see acres and acres of deserted fields that once housed a booming ostrich industry that collapsed with the onset of the bird flu epidemic and the evaporation of foreign markets.  Poverty coexists with breathtaking beauty of the Swartberg Pass and the Karoo Caves.  Our host for the weekend in the Oudtshorn, Rob Still, fell in love with this land during his basic training here for the South African army many, many, years earlier.  He was able to take advantage of his vow to return and had made his dream a reality by purchasing farmland in 2005 and planting 125 hectares of olive trees.  This land that may be a bit off the map, but it produces some of the best olive oil in South Africa.  Come with us for a quick journey.