Market
Roossenekal celebrates its iconic local flower
On a Friday afternoon, the sport fields of Roossenekal Primary School on the edge of the town are abuzz, but it’s not because kids are being dropped off or collected. The annual Geelvarkoorfees (Yellow Arum Lily Festival) is about to start and there’s a mad last-minute rush to get stalls set up. A few people are already doing brisk business.
Suzette Hïnd, who’s in charge of this department, walks around with a twoway radio and, in-between instructions, she expresses her disappointment that Platteland (owing to unavoidable circumstances) won’t be here tomorrow to witness “the real story, the actual story – the musicians and the gospel festival, the beer garden and boeresport, the mountain-bike race and the Miss Arum Lily contest”.
It’s a fun community affair that is celebrating its 16th birthday in 2017, Suzette tells us. And it goes beyond showcasing the area’s endangered yellow arum lily and other attractions – the aim is also to do something about the immense unemployment in the district.
Suzette’s walkie-talkie crackles. She has to go. “Enjoy, guys! Thanks for the support.” • Dates for the 2018 Geelvarkoorfees had not been finalised by the time of going to print, but it will most likely be held in early November this year.