S1 - Ep 236 - Steinkopf - A Very Neat Town Located in the Namaqualand of the Northern Cape!
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- We had passed Steinkopf twice on this trip already, but made sure we didn't enter it until now. What an amazing and very neat place to spend some time in! It has an incredible history with some sites that must be visited to make sure the stories of this small town in Namaqualand are not forgotten. The mass gravesite of the 32 children that were murdered and the old cemetery in town are only two of the places which are a must-see. Hollywood Lodge where we spent the night was fantastic and our host told us the most amazing things about the area. The fountain in the centre of town, where Kookfontein (now Steinkopf) got its name, was also great to see. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #steinkopf #northerncape #namaqualand #vioolsdrif #vioolsdrift
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Kookfontein a lost world so sad a lost world, my eyes filled with tears at this sight. Loved the horse who couldn't fill up. A lost world indeed , stories from a distant past, a mass grave, how sad all before you even get to the town. A lovely town steeped in history. Well done thank you for this episode.
The horse that couldn't fill up, love that! 😍🐎 We prefer including scenes we come across and film in the same order as we saw them and it was rather sad that our first experiences of Steinkopf were two sad ones, the gravesite and the destroyed rondavels. 😥 The rest of the town had quite a positive vibe though and we had a great time exploring! 🚗
It seems lost, but it is not. Towns like these go through cycles of decline and rejuvenation, depending on what is feeding into the town, economically. Steinkopf is very unique, in terms of the province and country as a whole, and history of South Africa, as a whole. A decade ago, experts said that Nababeep was going to be a ghost town, yet today it is not a ghost town. There is a spirit in these towns, which is unrivalled, and which I have not seen in my travels. These places are starved of investment, from a public and private sources, deliberately, or not, but these towns still survive, regardless. Let's see in two years. I hope Dust Bugs, come again, to give an update.
Lovely mystical place, I stayed there 22 years ago when training a group of local disabled people to make leather crafts. It has a special place in my heart, wonderful to see it again. We found a great local butcher for the best lamb and mutton chops, so good we had him prepate a whole lot frozen and packed for us to take all the way back to Grahamstown. Mmm. I too climbed that koppie. We stayed not far from it at the centre(for psychiatric and mentally disabled people) we trained at. One of the patients walked in on us at our room we were staying in, turned out he was totally harmless. But unnerving to say the least. I didnt see any donkey carts, back then alot were being used locally
We're glad that you were reminded of special times and great lamb chops! 😁 We were only in town for a short time, but I can imagine this place creeping deep into one's heart if one spends a longer period of time there. You're right, it does have a kind of mystical quality about it. We didn't see any donkey carts while we were in the area, I wish we did! 😍🐴
Passed by there any number of times when a child. Only dirt roads, of course. And a few houses plus dusty shacks are all I remember. We never stopped. But so much mission history there, and the tragedy of the children. You made it come alive, thank you.
It was our very first time in the area and it sounds like the vast majority of travellers just drive by. It really is a very interesting place with a rich history which should be told. We're glad you enjoyed! 😊🚗
Kookfontein! Sad to see the rondavels fallen into ruins. Ah, the toilet that will never flush again! At least some donkeys to cheer me up. And the horse next to the out of order pump...priceless. The story of the murdered children is heart wrenching! Thanks for the history of the town. Dont know why but for some reason I find Steinkopf a little creepy. Its nothing I can put my finger on, just the vibe. It seems to be waiting....waiting.....
Sonia was super happy to hear you spotted the donkeys! 😍🐴 That horse was just the coolest thing, standing completely still while untethered! The gravesite was indeed a very sad and sombre place, but one we had to visit. We just couldn't believe 32 children were murdered, that saddened us greatly. 😥 For us, Steinkopf seemed trapped in time somehow.
Just started watching, but have to say - I simply have no understanding of the wanton destruction of so many hundreds upon hundreds of buildings we’ve seen on these travels around the country. It boggles my mind as to why anyone would do this!
Much sadness hovers at the burial site of the 32 Nama children - man can be so cruel!
Steinkopf seems to be a fair sized town. Unexpected! Certainly rather a lot of churches and a fascinating (and sad) history.
The Hollywood Lodge - 200 years old and still in the same family. I do wonder why that name was chosen, though. Loved that long, enclosed stoep.
The spring in the town’s old amphitheatre was interesting to see, whereas the first well you discovered outside the town felt rather creepy to me. All I could think of was the possibility of either an animal or child falling into it, with that unguarded section (and worse!).
As always, wonderful to be able to join you virtually - always excited to see a new upload!
We couldn't help but be saddened by the gravesite of the children and by the destruction at Kookfontein Rondavels, but the town has clearly come a long way and seems to have successfully picked itself up from a difficult past. We asked our host about the name of the guesthouse, but she didn't know why it was called Hollywood Lodge, just that it had that name since she's been around. 😊 It was certainly a fascinating visit to a town, which we also expected to be smaller. Despite the sadness, we enjoyed getting to know the town and some of its people. 👌🏻🚗
The never ending quest to westernise everything took its tol here. Beautifull area.
The landscape was arid and rocky and we loved it! ⛰️🚗
A good host makes all the difference to staying in a place🎉👏
Oh, absolutely! This particular host was such a pleasure to support and she loves her town dearly, which was fantastic to see and hear! 🤩🏡
Travelled back from holiday - Port Alfred to Graaff Reinet - checked the clip again - the Hollywood lodge would do just fine for me. Lovely
You'll love it! And, to top it all off, your host is a walking Steinkopf encyclopaedia! 😁🚗
So we saw Steinkopf's one horse, alongside another "kannie dood" Isuzu Bakkie and a little later another Kwid too...in a way keeping the "kinder lê" burial site unmarked will keep those away who won't show your respect in leaving the gate closed with an even better tied chain than you found it. I was as surprised to see the sizable commercial activity, as you were in the "CBD" , the high number of churches for such a small place, the overall cleanliness of the town, except unfortunately for the fountain that founded the town. When I saw your room at the guest house, I thought ...here you're going to get a good night's sleep...(so long as those previous owners don't come to visit 🤣)...and you did. Steinkopf...a reminder of the cruelness of mankind and that through prosperity harmony is restored. Sonia's narrations are excellent as are yours. Thank-you for this episode.
Attention to detail is clearly your strong point. 👌🏻 It's also Sonia's, but not really mine. I had to go back and check a few of the things you mentioned! The editing of these videos with the messed-up sound has taken its toll, let me tell you! 🥴 I think there may be two horses in town. When we stopped at the old cemetery, another cool horseman came charging around the bend and it honestly looked like a dusty street scene in the Steinkopf of 100 years ago or so we thought at least. 😁🐎 It's a sad state of affairs that we find ourselves in that we can't even mark gravesites, monuments and such because we fear they may be vandalised. I didn't even think of it that way, but what you say, makes complete sense. While I agree, those children's lives need to be honoured and remembered and their gravesite visited and I'm not so sure that's happening enough the way things are now. It's really rather difficult to find. 🤷🏼♂️ Sadness aside, we thought Steinkopf has a lot going for it and the people are warm, welcoming and friendly. Our lights were out with Eskom's that evening, but our loadshedding lasted for about 11 hours! Stage 10 I'd call it! 💡 Thankfully no-one from the past came to visit that evening, thank heavens for that! 😨
In 1982, when I was 10 years old, I spent my school holiday installing a 5 KVA Lister diesel generator at the back of the old Police Station with my Dad.
Two local children were playing just outside the fence.
One kid made a gun with his fingers and said in an accent specific to the area "Go ahead punk, make my day".
The other kid replied "Jirre.....who does you think you arrrrr......Dirrrrty Harrrrrry?"
So....for the rest of the trip, I called my Dad Dirrrrty Harrrry.
From that day on, he was called Harry by his family, friends and business partners.....and all of my mates.
We also installed one at the Police Station at Vioolsdrif.
Thanks for the memory.
Wow, thank you for sharing that special memory with us. What a cool story! So your dad's nickname of Harry originated in Steinkopf! 😎 We chatted to quite a few young ones as we were driving by and had a good few laughs with them, so that type of mischief is still very much there in present-day Steinkopf. We didn't make it to the Police Station at Vioolsdrif, it looked very formal with all the border procedures, etc. 😨 I wish I could've shown you that building up close again too. 😁🚗
Hi guys amazing video the photos of the horse at the petrol station one in a million it may be a one horse town but five churches tidy town with plenty of shops your accommodation was so historic it was sad about the children's grave Rip and the rondarvalles were worse for wear but the town had a positive vibe thanks for the video cheerio till the next one
Glad you also loved our horse at the petrol pump, that certainly put a big smile on our faces! It's always great to focus on the humorous experiences too when we travel! 😍🐎 We saw one other horse in town, so I'd call Steinkopf a two-horse town for now. 😁 I agree that the town had a positive vibe and I'm so glad you also thought so, despite the sadness, which exists in every single place we've visited so far. I don't think there is a single place on this planet without at least some sadness. Thanks for travelling to Steinkopf with us today! 🚗
Thank you for this one. Very interesting. Amazing that people still live there and make a life out of it. I loved the horse by the petrol pump. Sad about the mass grave and the children who died.
Quite a bit of sadness in the town, agreed. But also a lot of positives. We asked a few locals what the townsfolk do to earn an income and it seems as if entrepreneurship is alive and well in Steinkopf! From hairdressing to baking to vehicle repairs, they do it all from their homes and support one another, thereby stimulating the local economy. Quite amazing actually! 🤩 Glad you also loved the horse at the filling station, we thought that was just the coolest thing! 😎🐎
Sad to see the destruction of such a beautiful facility of Kookfontein...
Indeed! It clearly was a great asset to the town at one point. 😥🏚️
another small place just outside Alexander bay called brandkaros has the same rondawels but they have been restored and is now rentable. very sad to see this. thank you for having us along these trips.
Hi you two!
Thank you for taking me on this trip to Steinkopf, Kookfontein and even further into the past. The neat town obviously has a long and eventful history which seems to have turned out well into an interesting place.
The "Kinder lê" grave moved me into emotion, so sad.
I wonder how and when the name "Hollywood" came to a Namakwa town?
Ha-ha to the horse waiting at the 'out of order' gas pump!
The Namaqualand veld- and koppie views will never cease to impress me.
Keep safe!
There is no doubt that the town has much sadness in its past, but I agree with you that the town now is an interesting one with a lot to offer any visitor. The history is deep, the town is clean, the folks are friendly and warm, the shop doors are open and all of those things say a lot about any town. 👌 The mass gravesite of the children was something we just had to find and it also was a rather emotional experience for us to visit the actual location where they lay buried. 😥 That horse! Such a cool picture, which I still struggle to get out of my mind. 😎🐎
Last time I was there I still saw people living in matjieshuise...so srunning
I wish we could've seen some of those. It appears as if there aren't any left, but we could've missed them too! 🤷🏼♂️
❤ stunning soos altyd
Did you notice how shiny those bathroom tiles were ...DBs thanks for sharing ...drove past there many times motoring to Port Nolloth 😊😅😮
I can't say that I did, no. 😁 Steinkopf was a very cool town to explore.
Just sad about the 32 children who were killed🥲 May they rest in perfect peace 🙏
Why were they killed???
I found the most complete background at tracks4africa.co.za/listings/item/w360201/kinderle-monument/
It will make for some interesting, yet sad, reading when you have a few minutes to spare. 😥
@@DustBugsTravel Senseless loss🥲
Yes, I loved every minute as well. Lovely to see the town. In my childhood days we'd drive past without ever considering having a look. I've read about 'kinderle' and was intrigued at seeing the spot. Definitely well worth stopping and investigating. Thank you again.
Yup, it was definitely very rewarding stopping over here and exploring the town and area. We were deeply touched by the fact that there was a gravesite of 32 children who were murdered and we just had to find it. It's quite a solemn and sombre place, but that is to be expected. 😥 While we were in the area, we saw many vehicles passing by the town and only a few turned in. Hopefully that changes one day and Steinkopf can attract more visitors somehow. The rich history of the town certainly makes it a very interesting and worthwhile stop. 🚗
Our country has so many sad and tragic stories. Sitting here in an apartment in Port Alfred my heart yearns for me to visit these dry isolated areas of the northern cape One more long trip left in me
At least there aren't only sad stories, there are many happy and positive ones too! 😁🇿🇦 I really hope you're able to take that long trip to the Northern Cape one of these days. You'll have the time of your life! 🚗
I've never heard of this place before. You once again did an amazing job to show us everything, especially the sad history of Kookfontein and the kids. Really sad. But loved the horse that could't get fuel!
It's ofte the places we've never heard of before which surprise us the most. We're so glad we visited Steinkopf and I'm happy to hear that you found the video interesting. It is indeed very sad about the children who were murdered. Our visit to the gravesite was rather sombre. 😥 That horse that couldn't get fuel, must've been one of the highlights of our day. Our smiles couldn't have been any wider. 🥰🐎
Thanks DustBugs, the road trips are a joy to go on with you both, some bring back memories for my of my own road trips, others wet my appetite for more road trips in my old age, so much unknown history in South Africa, love the old buildings, old stations and graveyards in your travels, compliments of the new year to the both of you, and travel safe
Thank you, we're so happy to hear that you enjoy taking the road with us and that some of our travels remind you of your own special times on the road. 🚗 There is still so much undiscovered in our country and we can't wait to cover more kilometres this year to explore many more places and share them with you. May 2023 be a year of good health and joy for you and your loved ones, with perhaps a road trip or two thrown in for good measure! 🤩
jjoh....thanx
Thank you for watching. 🙂🚗
Ok you two. Since we are inline with it, how about Nigramoep. See the Bugmobile will be able to handle the gravel road, but to get back to Springbok, we will have to go back towards Gladkop. After 15km, turn off to the right towards Bulletrap👀 to the N7 and right on the N7 to Springbok
This trip was just over a month ago already and we're long back home, editing and uploading our videos. We didn't go back to Springbok, but took a different direction when we left Steinkopf. You'll just have to wait and see where we were headed! 😁🚗 We may decide to return to the area one day and will look at including Nigramoep then.
I second that!! One of our best stays ever was with a family there, opposite the blue mine. The cow was wild, we took a loaded 30-06 to milk it.
A great channel, thanks! Born and educated in SA, been living in New Zealand over fifty years. But you never lose your roots. Love the karroo posts, spent my holidays on a sheep farm near Colesberg. Wallowing in nostalgia! Alles van die best. Jim.
Greetings to you in New Zealand! And thank you, we're happy to hear you enjoy our videos. You've certainly been out of SA for a long time already and what you see, must look so much different to how you remember it. I wonder if you've seen our visit to Colesberg in Episode 200. If not, you may enjoy that one too! 😁🚗
Enjoyed your Colesberg blog, thanks.
Thanks for taking me on a 30min historical trip to my home town.
You're so welcome! 😊 We had a fantastic time in your hometown and are so glad that we took the time to explore a little. You come from an amazing place, not only full of interesting history, but also full of warm and welcoming people. Go Steinkopf! 😁🚗 Thank you for watching!
@@DustBugsTravel this just warms my heart.
Love your channel. Just found it not long ago. Interesting places and informative. Good work, I hope you continue showing more of South Africa 👍
Welcome to our channel! Thank you so much, it's great to hear that you enjoy our videos so much! We'll keep travelling and bringing you our memories of our trips. We so appreciate you watching them! We're slowly working our way across South Africa and eventually hope to cover most of the country that we can safely. 🚗🇿🇦
Thanks again for sharing your adventures, so sad to see such nasty, disrespectful comments, you surely don't deserve it. Love every single episode. You are both amazing 🙌🏻
You're very sweet, thank you. 😊 You really don't have to worry about us though. We share our experiences on a public platform because we choose to do so and, with that, comes many comments, both kind and unkind. We've been around long enough to not worry about the unkind ones. I'll always respond to them too since that is the respectful thing to do and we're both respectful human beings. 😇 I'm glad you enjoy our videos, we're happy to continue sharing them. 😁🚗
Baie dankie julle vir hierdie lekker lang video vol detail en geskiedenis en geboue se stories, soos die sendingkerkie en die kinderle storie. Jul maak die wereld vir ons oop want ons het nie die geleentheid om ooit daar te kom nie. Baie dankie.
We're so glad you came along to explore Steinkopf with us, a town full of rich history as you say. You're very welcome to travel with us virtually to all the places we plan to explore and discover this year and we hope you enjoy each one of them. 😁🚗
@NormEngel-ge2it
0 seconds ago
It seems lost, but it is not. Towns like these go through cycles of decline and rejuvenation, depending on what is feeding into the town, economically. Steinkopf is very unique, in terms of the province and country as a whole, and history of South Africa, as a whole. A decade ago, experts said that Nababeep was going to be a ghost town, yet today it is not a ghost town. There is a spirit in these towns, which is unrivalled, and which I have not seen in my travels. These places are starved of investment, from a public and private sources, deliberately, or not, but these towns still survive, regardless. Let's see in two years. I hope Dust Bugs, come again, to give an update.
Why would the water be hot / bubbling, could there possibly be a volcano???
Lovely neat clean town. Good to see people having pride in their town. Also nice too see the graveyards aren't vandalized!
That's actually a very good point about the graves not being vandalised! Further testimony to the respect the townsfolk have for their town and one another. Great observation! 👌🏻 I never heard any mention of a volcano. The water was apparently bubbling up from an underground spring or fountain and this resembled boiling water, therefore the name Kookfontein. 😁🚗
Oh ok. I never thought of it like that. My mind went to kook - boiling. Thankyou for clearing that up.
parents from my father's uncle emigrated to Southafrica, but come back when aged
I'm sure they spent many happy years in South Africa. 🇿🇦 I wish them lots of good health and joy for the future. 😊
Wish we could turn back time and do everything over in this country. I have followed this channel for a while no. In every town is destruction of infrustructer. I am really sad.
Our goal is most certainly not to sadden you with our videos, but instead to bring you the reality of what we find and see on our travels. We're often saddened too by the decay, destruction and neglect we find along the way, but the good ALWAYS outweighs the bad and we have no option but to cling to and focus on that. We look forward to showing you much more of the beauty of this wonderful country this year. 🚗🇿🇦
Hi. I watched your video when you did the Namib and Skeleton coast. A question about your Hilux. Does it have an upgraded suspension or can you do that trip with a regular 4X4 bakkie?
I think you may be confusing our channel with another one. We haven't been to the Namib or Skeleton Coast just yet and we do all our trips with a small economy sedan with relatively high ground clearance. No Hiluxes or 4x4's on this channel. 😁🚗 I hope you get the answer you're looking for.
Depressiewe plek . Hoekom breek die mense die geboue so stukkend . ? Ek het so gedink dit sal maklik wees vir my om al daai rondawels vinnig op te knap en te laat werk weer . Ek bedoel die fondasies is gedoen die mure staan al die venster rame is nog in . Dit Sal n vinnige job wees om daai plek mooi te maak . 😂
Nou waarvoor wag jy broer!
@Boer Plaas While I agree that the destruction of the rondavels was sad to see, it shouldn't colour the entire town the colour of depression. The town is neat, clean and clearly a functioning economic centre, so the local folks deserve a lot of credit for that. 👌🏻 I'm not so sure the resurrection of the Kookfontein Rondavels is quite as easy and simple as you may think. We chatted to local folks and apparently there have been interested parties wishing to do just that, but the hoops and red tape proved insurmountable. The location right next to the N7 also makes it a very easy target for repeat vandalisation. Quite a dilemma they're facing there! I would love to see the facility up-and-running again when we pass there again one day. 🤞🏻🚗
@@patshes1951 Ek is op my plaas in Arizona USA. As ek daar was sou Ek dit aanpak .
@@DustBugsTravel Ek het gepraat can die rondawels nie die dorpie nie. As daai plek reggemaak is en daars mense wat die plek bedryf Sal idiote nie vinnig die plek wil plunder nie.
So much sand. So little grass and greenery. A sad and depressing place. I couldn't live in a desert like this.
The area might be arid, but many people live happily there. I take my hat off to them to make it work in such a harsh environment. The area has a very unique beauty though and has to be appreciated for that. Thank you for watching. 🙂🚗
Desert you say?It's anything except a "desert",it's history a jewel not a "desert".I live here all my life and I can say it's not a desert .You know what's a desert that fake cities you guys live in.
@Matthew Harvey We believe in different strokes for different folks. We happen not to love the big cities either, but we don't fault those who do. 🤷🏼♂️ You live in a beautiful area by the way, it was a pleasure to visit and explore.
Kan u men's die plek Koop
I have no idea. 🤷🏻 You'll have to contact someone locally.
I just do not understand our South African mentality. Why break down a place when its not in use for what it was intended to be anymore. It can be utelized for another purpose instead of just wrecking it.
I wish I could answer that question for you and I haven't been able to find anyone who can explain it. I agree with you, it was rather sad to see such a beautiful facility almost completely destroyed. 😥
jirre maar you are darem very langdradig
Yet you watch ... 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏻♀️