All hands on deck

Our contributors

These people searched far and wide – as far afield as Namibia – to find their stories. Without them, you wouldn’t be holding the summer issue of Platteland in your hands.

Cara Brink-Mans

“You are cordially invited”, page 110. Cara is a city slicker turned farmer in Khomas Hochland in Namibia. She can definitely tell you a thing or two about brahmans. When it’s sweltering, sip homemade lemonade and take an afternoon nap. Most lyrical town name? The Sandveld. (I know it’s a region.) My father always said I’m not just any Brink, but a Sandveld Brink. That’s quite something among the Brinks! We say summer, you say... rain! When the swallows return, the tortoises come out and the drops fall. There’s no greater relief.

Zigi Ekron

“Make a grand stand for your plants”, page 106 Zigi edits our sister magazine, WegSleep. When he heads to the hardware store for a packet of screws, he often returns with yet another piece of equipment, planks, and an idea to make something he doesn’t need. When it’s sweltering, I leave the handyman work for another day. Most lyrical town name? Koffiefontein. I drink a lot of coffee and the name makes me think “land of milk and honey”. We say summer, you say... stoep, sauvignon blanc, sosaties and salad.

Maree Louw

Cover & “Christmas wreath all year round”, page 83. This former Northern Caper is now a photographer in the Swartland. When she isn’t zipping around on dirt roads, she’s making coleslaw (her husband, winemaker Callie Louw, is a partner in The Southern Smoke specialising in smoked meat – delicious with Maree’s salad). When it’s sweltering, head for the sea! Most lyrical town name? Putsonderwater. I think of the hope those people must have had to settle in the middle of nowhere. We say summer, you say... sun lotion, sand and Stilbaai.

Jac Kritzinger

“Warm heart of the roaring lion”, page 22 Jac calls himself a photographer, writer, drifter. As long as his head is full of ideas, his bakkie full of diesel and his life full of interesting souls, he’s happy. When it’s sweltering, I put a wet towel in the freezer for half an hour before twisting it around my head. It’s known as the ice crown, patented by a friend of mine. Most lyrical town name? Loeriesfontein. It’s lyrical enough, hidden away and chocolate-box pretty. We say summer, you say... long days, short dresses, early rising, cricket at Newlands.