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APRIL/MAY 2015
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Dr. George Hughes talk 7 May on His New Book
“Drakensberg Ranger”
Dr George Hughes is best known for having
been the CEO of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and
an internationally acclaimed turtle expert.
He is also an author of a book on the sea turtle
saga called Between the Tides.
What is less known about him is that as a
gawky youngster he worked as a cadet ranger
at Giants Castle. Those were the days when
young rangers were made to graft and rough
it, fighting fires, accosting poachers and farmers, charming tourist lasses, capturing wild
antelope on horseback and in between, living
a hardy life in remote outposts.
George will give an illustrated talk (no doubt
in his affable, self-effacing and humorous manner) about his early days with “The Parks
Board” titled “Drakensberg Ranger” at the
Underberg Country Club on Thursday 7th
May at 6pm. (Or a few minutes later if the
afternoon’s fishing on the Ndawana stream is
overly excellent.) His recently published book
of the same name will also be on sale.About
Drakensberg Ranger, David Cook writes in the
Foreword: ”When the author, a friend and
colleague of long standing, approached me
to write a foreword to this account of his life
as a game ranger at Giant’s Castle Game Reserve in the early 1960s, I agreed without a
moment’s hesitation.
The reason for this is simple. Quite apart from
the fact that his narrative traces the early adventures, trials and tribulations of a young
man about to embark on a career in wildlife
conservation, George Hughes has brought to
Sani2c is Now The Biggest Event on
The Underberg Calendar
The Mountain Echo phoned The Sani Pass
Hotel in the hopes of drumming up some more
advertising as the race will be starting just
down the road at “Glencairn farm” which is
now owned by Farmer Glen Haw who started
the off road Mountain bike Race 11 years ago.
Why should I not be surprised that their accommodation is fully booked and almost every
other provider of accommodation. The race
releases 1500 riders each day over three days.
4500 riders alone, arrive in our district, never
mind family, logistical back up teams, the event
organisers etc. which makes this event a huge
capital injection into our local economy. The
local schools raise funds by driving the competitor’s cars from Underberg to Scottburgh
where the race ends and they also help out
serving food in the early hours of the morning. The Sani2C is a huge also show your financial status. However there are also the
stars of this event opportunity for corporate
networking and team building for the competitors and the competing doesn’t stop there,
the cost of your cycle and your kit with all the
brand names can show your financial status.
There are also the stars of the sport, the TV
coverage and MTB racing is an Olympic event.
MTB racing is the fastest growing sport in the
world and South Africa has earned a reutation
for hosting many internationally recognised
endurance events.
The eleventh edition of the popular three day
mountain biking stage race from Glencairn
Farm in Underberg to Scottburgh Main Beach
on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast starts on 12
May with the Trail event and the Adventure
event on 13 May.
The Sani 2C race starts on Thursday 14 May
with the serious cuclists heading out to win
the three stage race that starts on the Sani
Pass road at Glencairn farm and after 82 kms
ends at MacKenzie Country Club, Eastwold.
The next leg of 99km ends at Jolivet and the
final leg of 84km ends Scottburgh Main Beach
on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast . In the ten
years of the Sani2C Kevin Evans has wo0n
the race six times and his racing partner Max
Knox three times. The winning pair of Evans
and Knox are the hot favourites to win this
years race.
life my own memories of game ranging
during those same years when I took up a
post at Giant’s Castle offered to me by
Colonel Jack Vincent, then the Director of
the Natal Parks Board. Like the author, I
had not the faintest idea of what duties I
would have to perform in a part of Natal
that I had only once fleetingly visited, and
neither had I any real practical experience
or formal training in nature conservation.
I was a greenhorn in every sense of the
word.”The club will provide its usual
menu and bar.
Kenmo Lake
Autumn Picnic
MAY 3
The Historical Society’s Autumn Picnic
will be held in the beautiful surroundings
of Kenmo Lake, on Sunday 3 May from
9.30/10.00 onwards. Everyone is welcome. Bring a picnic lunch, chairs, blankets, etc and enjoy the beauty of this
lovely venue, the friendship and wonderful music by Neil Prior. The entry fee is
R20 per person (children under 12, no
charge), and includes a ticket for the lucky
draw. Lots of great prizes. Additional entries into the draw may be purchased at
R5. Historical and Museum Society contacts : Liz Mackay 082 504 2663 Lynn
Butt 072 830 7636 Charles Hicken
079 233 9484
PAGE 3
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Stockists of Indola
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Kevin Evans (left) and Max Knox of FedGroup-Itec celebrated their sixth and third win
respectively in the 10th edition of the Nedbank sani2c mountain bike race
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