MEANDERING IN THE MIDLANDS
“There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it…” The opening words of “Cry, The Beloved Country” by Alan Paton, came to mind as we descended for landing at King Shaka International Airport. The green, green land of Natal looked lush and welcoming.
During a visit to Cape Town over the past December-holidays, Rian and Michelle invited us for a visit to Ballito. It had to be early in the new year as they are on their way to Switzerland in March for a 5-year stay. We accepted their invitation as it presents a good opportunity to say goodbye to them as well as visiting the beautiful Dolphin Coast.
Ballito, initially part of a sugar cane farm, was established in 1954 as a private township. It is situated 40 km north of Durban and only 28 km from King Shaka Airport. This popular holiday-town is surprisingly bigger than I expected. There are plenty of things to do for the adventurous as well as loads of family activities. Between Salt Rock Beach and Thompson’s Bay Beach, there is plenty of space for enjoying the warm waters of the Indian ocean or lying and walking on the beach.
Things to do include laser tag, barrel train rides, unicorn slime workshops, putt -putt and more at Sugar Rush Park; Microlight Flights with Comefly; snorkeling; cycling and walking trails at Holla Trails; entertainment for adults and kids at 22 Jump Street; visit King Shaka’s Rock; Sibudu Cave, a pre-historic Rock Shelter; the list goes on.
We did none of the above, except Bertie who took an early- morning walk on the beach. We did, however, visited with Rian, Michelle, Kaylee, Cassidy and Callen, enjoying their beautiful home and happy company. We also experienced the wonderful local cuisine, drove around and ended up at the beautiful historic Manor House which is now used as a function venue.
The temperatures, not that high while we were there, hovered from 22 degrees in the morning to 28 in the evening. The one downside to visiting Ballito in summer, is the humidity. We were sweating all the time when not in the full blast vicinity of air-conditioning. My hair took on a life of its own in the humidity!
After three days in Ballito, we meandered to Lythwood Lodge situated in the hills of the Natal Midlands. On our way on the R103, we marveled at the scenery, stopped for lunch at the well-known Piggly Wiggly Restaurant, and browsed the quaint little shops of the outdoor shopping centre. You can hire bicycles at The Bike Shop or enjoy wine tasting; everything conveniently on the property of the Highgate Wine Estate.
Arriving at Lythwood Lodge, surrounded by a natural forest, hills and the Lions River close by, you feel totally secluded from the world. The present-day manor sits on 275 acres of land which was part of the farm Blesberg. It was initially built in the mid- 1940s by Dutch builders but was completed by five Italian prisoners of war. In October 2017 the Lythwood Lodge Employee Trust was created and 51% ownership now belongs to the employees of this peaceful paradise.
The Mandela Capture Site and museum just 17,6 km from Lythwood Lodge, marked the site where Nelson Mandela was arrested on 5 August 1962. Visiting the amazing steel sculpture and visitor center, is a fascinating experience. Displayed in the huge lobby of the center, is a similar model of the Austin Westminster driven by Nelson Mandela the day he was captured. On one of the walls is a magnificent work of art: beads handsewn onto cloth, made in 2018 by women of the Impumelelo Bead Co-operative, depicting Nelson Mandela as the “Black Pimpernel”.
We spent a long time looking at historical photos and reading about the intertwined history of South Africa and Madiba, along with all the amazing people who walked with him the long road to freedom. From the center we walked down a path leading to the unique sculpture of the face of Nelson Mandela. Comprising of 50 steel columns between 6 and 9,5 meters in height, the artwork covers a width of 30 meters. Only when viewed from a certain angle, the image of Madiba comes into focus. What a modern marvel by the sculptor Marco Cianfanelli.
Our last night was in Umhlanga where we enjoyed Durban curry for the last time before flying home to Cape Town the next morning. The contrast between the green landscape of Natal and the dry Cape Town surrounds was clearly visible as we descended for landing. A sobering reminder of global warming.
May we all continue living more consciously and treasure this precious planet we inhabit.
Till we chat again, love and light.
Shirley Rose