Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Tapping Country Talents
28years ago Recruiting latent local talent to serve campers was a profitable sideline project, according to Major James Sclanders, who retired from the South African Air Force in 1974.
The project is run on a few hectares on the farm his forebears established at the foot of the Natal Drankensberg in 1872.
Country talents include those of the family, friends and staff, especially the women.
Kelvin Grove can accommodate 30 caravans and has seven selfcontained guest units, a games room, tennis court, swimming pool, fields for horse riding, as well as black bass fishing waters. Major Sclanders says it is a pity so much undeveloped talent is left buried in remote parts. If fostered, it could generate some self-sufficiency and improve the country’s economy.
Mrs Joy Nevin, who is wellversed in ethnic arts and crafts, was invited to join the family team. She concentrates on developing in-born skills, such as bead work, weaving and simple pottery. These are then channelled into a small thriving cottage industry under the label ‘Afrapique’.
A growing influx of visitors and tourists to the farm and neighbouring resorts is encouraging and it’s run virtually from the back door.
Clay from the farm is used for pottery, which is baked in African
*Rand values have been adapted for inflation. When introduced in 1961, the rand traded at R2 to the pound.
tradition in open fires. The moulded pots and animal figurines are then decorated and stained with black or brown shoe-polish.
“However, if not fired enough, they crack and have to be remade,” says Joy.
Clay items sell at R3 [about R20] and R5 [R33] each and the women are paid accordingly.
They also make dolls from sunbleached maize leaves, various macramé hangings and weave mini baskets from mountain grass.
Colourful plastic and wooden beads are used to produce curtains depicting ethnic motifs.
For instance, doorway curtains may consist of drops having up to 60 beaded strings, each two metres long. Such strings sell at R2,40 [R16] each. An entire curtain costs from R144 [R945] to R500 [R3 280], depending on the number of the strings and particular grapic designs required.
Zulikinis, a brainchild of Major Sclanders, resemble western bikinis and are made of minute plastic beads.
The women have also begun making durable clay beads, which they fashion into jewellery.
Czechoslovokian glass beads add weight to Grecian headdresses for evening wear that sell at R50 [R328] each.
However, they prefer using the South African beads that can provide a cheaper product at R30 [R197].
Other goods include jams and jellies made from farm-grown fruit and wild brambles by 84-yearold Granny Kit Sclanders.
“Granny is the pivot of our business; she inspires everyone,” says Major Sclanders.
Neatly bottled and labelled, her wares cost R3,20 [R21] a jar.
Some of these are also hawked by an elderly woman who in addition, bakes and sells her own speciality: fresh, hot bread-rolls.
Accommodation
Visitors converge on Kelvin Grove during holiday seasons, turning it into a hive of activity. Caravan campers pay R6 [R39] per person/night; unit guests pay R20 [R131] per person/night.
The self-catering units, accommodating a maximum of three to seven guest, consist of spacious log cabins, thatched roof chalets and apartments in a renovated outbuilding that once housed convalescent soldiers. Major Sclanders says it was originally built with farmmanufactured bricks that have stood the test of time very well.
Patricia, Major Sclanders and Joy’s daughter run the stables where 25 sprightly horses are groomed and exercised.
“Guests who have never sat on a horse can learn to ride here, without embarrassment,” she says.
She charges R8 [R52] for an hour’s ride; R4 [R26] for 30 minutes and R2 [R13] for pony trips, which are popular with children. They do not have a cart yet, she says, but the ponies are gentle and amendable. She has considered starting a full-fledged riding school.
Young Nicholas Sclanders manages the soya bean and maize fields, as well as a 200-head beef herd on the remainder of the farm, but also helps his sister when required.
Their elder brother, David, who is serving a diesel mechanic apprenticeship, plans to start a workshop on the farm, perhaps involving the male workers.
The family intend introducing a bed-and-breakfast service for campers, relying on Granny
Kit’s expertise. (She originated the guest farm idea in 1964.)
Their main concern is to stimulate creativity in the female staff.
“We’re trying to make little ladies out of women, and encourage them to use their free time constructively,” says Joy.
Although she does not speak Zulu fluently, she says a sympathetic and understanding attitude works miracles.
“You can’t make a fortune from this type of enterprise, but it can augment your income considerably,” says Major Sclanders.
“You need to be people-orientated because you will be dealing with the public on home ground. Generally, we find visitors a pleasure; ▪ they add spice and sparkle.” FW