Bokkom Republic
Upon entering town, turn right and drive along Voortrekker Road, and you’ll soon see a sign for Bokkom Avenue, Velddrif’s first ever street and now also the “restaurant/coffee shop hub” of the town, overlooking the Berg River. No trip to Velddrif is complete without a stop here. Have a rustic breakfast or a toasted sarmie outside on the jetty at Ek & Djy Vissery, then have a look at the quirky decor inside – it really is something to behold. If you fancy something slightly healthier, go next door to Avoo Health Café, which, as the name implies, caters for the more waistline-conscious among us. They also sell rusks and other lekker goodies for the trip back home. And for a plate of authentic West Coast seafood, you can’t go wrong with Gilda’s. Should you wish to buy a painting or a fridge magnet as a keepsake, stop in at River Studio.
Birders are in for a treat: greater and lesser flamingos, spoonbills, pelicans and pied kingfishers are abundant, and the elusive black swan has been known to make an appearance.
Rob and Maria offer river cruises on their boat Knot Xtreme – it’s a great way to see birds.
As for where the street got its name, it is the epicentre of the town’s bokkom industry. Bokkoms, to the uninitiated, are essentially fish biltong – delicious (to some), but it has a particular taste and a smell that lingers on the breath and fingers no matter how hard you try to rid yourself of it. So be warned.
The recipe for making bokkoms has not changed over generations: After mullets are washed thoroughly, they’re packed in crates and salted – heavily. Then they’re tied in bunches and hung in the sun to dry for between two and three weeks.
The bokkom trade is huge in Velddrif, and many people make their living off this authentic West Coast snack. It might not be your thing, but, hey, you only live once. And there are always breath mints and soap.