EDITOR’S LETTER

The magazine you’re holding now is something of a landmark event for me. Like the rest of South Africa, the Drive & Camp editorial team had to stay at their respective homes from the end of March as part of the national lockdown to try to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant that we had to dramatically change the way we’ve been putting your magazine together for years. It was certainly no easy task, but one’s own needs seem insignificant when compared to the larger issue at stake. The pandemic is a challenge all of us face and each and every one has the responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure not only our own safety but also that of our fellow countrymen. Thankfully, we’d completed our travels for the May issue before the lockdown was announced – I returned from Lesotho just in time – but as far as the final processes of laying out and proofreading this magazine was concerned, we faced some tricky obstacles. Change is difficult, and one struggles to leave a comfort zone. But here it is, in your hands, and I can honestly say I couldn’t be prouder of everyone on our team. Between poor internet connections, data running out and the difficulty of connecting to the servers at headquarters, everyone pushed through (some in the dead of the night, “because then the people of Noordhoek aren’t all glued to their phones”) with a can-do attitude, an astonishing work ethic and, in most cases, a smile, too. However, this isn’t about us adapting to changes. The lockdown will have a far-reaching effect on the tourism industry. Just look at all the cancellations, first as a result of the virus sweeping across the globe and then the mandatory self-isolation. Fortunately, it seems that in most cases plans could be made for alternative dates, as Neels van Heerden discusses in his column on page 118. If there is one thing that this pandemic and the restrictions has taught us, it’s what a privilege it is to be able to travel. I’m sure you already know where you’ll be heading once you’re allowed to hit the road again. You’ll be happy to hear that we already have sufficient content for the June issue. Hopefully, matters have settled by then so we can return to something closer to normal. And boy, then we’ll be making a proper dent in our travel budget. Stay safe!

If there is one thing that this pandemic and the restrictions has taught us, it’s what a privilege it is to be able to travel