Vanrhynsdorp
Are you one of those travellers who only swing into Vanrhynsdorp – off the N7 – when you need fuel and snacks? Why not take a walk with us through the town? Its streets hold many small gems worth discovering.
Vanrhynsdorp lies in a hollow close to Gifberg, just beneath the illuminated cross on the N7 that overlooks the Knersvlakte. During the week, thousands of cars and trucks roar past the quiet town. Some of them turn off here to fuel up, others continue on to Nieuwoudtville or Calvinia, and others still press on to their final destination: Nuwerus, Garies, Kamieskroon and Springbok to the north… then Namibia. To the south lie Klawer, Clanwilliam, Citrusdal, Piketberg, Malmesbury and Cape Town.
What happened in Vanrhynsdorp on Sunday, 26 September 2020?
You guessed it: nothing much.
A few truck drivers were stretching their legs at the Shell fuel stop, or Turcks Garage, in Van Riebeeck Street, just off the N7. There were also cars – many towing a caravan or bush trailer, possibly en route to Vanrhynsdorp Caravan Park and its pleasant ZAR restaurant – queued at the fuel pumps.
On the opposite side of Van Riebeeck Street, at the Caltex fuel stop and The Good Store, a fair number of vehicles came and went, some stopping since their occupants most likely knew they could get good coffee, excellent breakfasts, pies and other homemade food here. Namaqua Garage is also a well-known Mercedes dealership – people come here from far and wide to drive their dream car off the showroom floor.
The rest of the town was perfectly peaceful. Here and there a windmill creaked, and African daisies were putting on a final show in the warm wind that was starting to blow from the south-east.
An old Ford F100 drove into town from the direction of the cemetery. Minutes later, it could be seen heading back along the gravel road towards the row of smallholdings and houses. Probably picked up a pizza for dinner from the hotel or from Phucifino.
There were walkers and runners and dogs on leads. But the dogs were mostly fenced in. A number of farm bakkies and a lorry or two came roaring down Voortrekker Street, way too fast, and gouged even more holes in the tarmac. When, one wonders, did an official from the Matzikama Municipality last carry out an inspection here? The potholes and general state of the roads and street signs are testament to many years of neglect.
The Troe-Troe River traces a dry track through the town. The good rains this year did result in a brief flow but it soon dried up; today the weavers’ nests are suspended, as usual, above dry earth.