Going on holiday along the road less travelled
FREE STATE AS PRETTY AS A PICTURE
THE Free State is often used as a stopover as travellers head to other parts of South Africa.
Though this activity contributes significantly to the province ’ s total revenue from its tourism sector, the Free State would do better by attracting holiday-makers.
The province needs to shout out loud about what it has to offer so I decided to drive to Free State.
From Joburg I drove to Orkney, the North West town on the border with the Free State, to take a deep breath.
After spending the night, I got onto the R30 and crossed the Vaal River. There was no “Welcome to Free State” sign or a board informing travellers that they were entering the “Flamingo Route”, one of five tourism regions mapped out by the Free State Tourism Authority.
About 40 minutes later, I was in Bothaville. Its claim to fame in modern society is the agricultural festival, held annually in May. It is said to attract 70 000 visitors, something I found incredible given Bothaville’s sparse resources.
Later on, I drove to the local township, Kgotsong. It was Saturday, and could not help but noticing the slower pace of life there compared with the hustle and bustle of my township, Tembisa.
At the drinking hole oppo- site Bothaville Public School I met a local youngster. Thabo said he did not know anyone famous from Kgotsong and that people travelled to Kroonstad or Welkom for entertainment because local thugs “have messed up this place”.
When I asked him about the Food and Wit blits Festival, which took place this month, he dismissed it with: “Kentho tsa
mak gowa tseo.” (Those are white people’s things.)
His reaction when I told him I was heading to Theunissen was surprising: “Where’s that? ” he asked.
I said down the R30. I could not say more because, like Bothaville, I had not been to Theunissen.
It was a pleasant drive on a good road, with flat plains stretching into the distance on both sides.
A hot, dry day exposed many dried-up lakes and pans.
Then I saw them – the flamingos. These magnificent creatures, hundreds of them, were resting on a large lake that had plenty of water. I wanted to know what the lake was called and why it had so much water when so many along the same route were dry.
There was no information, but I was happy clicking away on my camera.
If the Flamingo Route was named for these Allanridge flamingos, why was there no information right there?
The next town, Odendaalsrus – the home town of international football star Kamohelo Mokotjo, who is based in Holland – was in the plans.
I didn’t know Welkom would also be on this route; another nice surprise, like Allanridge.
I had lunch in the shadows of Griffon Park, the home of the regional rugby side the Griffons, the poorer brothers of the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
About 55km later I was in Theunissen. I walked about with a sense of victory and satisfaction and bought some seeds for my veggie garden.
I can’t explain the upbeat feeling I had, but I just felt at home in this little town even though I have no connection to it – including a past failed romance. Maybe it’s because, in my map book, Theunissen appears to be the true centre of the province, not Bloemfontein as many believe
Brandfort, south of Theunissen, is the last town on the Flamingo Route.
I gave Winnie MadikizelaMandela’s exile home a pass and headed to the east, the Eagle Route of the majestic Maluti mountains.