AN important step in the development of tourism activities within the local communities of the Dwars River Valley took place with the launch of a tourism initiative in Pniel on 22 August.

The meeting was very well attended by 150 tourism enthusiasts - a cross-section of the various communities and land owners - led by deputy mayor Willie Ortell and a delegation from the Stellenbosch Municipality as well as the Groot Drakenstein Police.

It is believed that the launch of this forum will ensure a stake in tourism - an industry in which there is a very strong local interest to unlock wealth and add value to tourism products for this area's inhabitants in general. 

Yusaf Patel of the Ex-Combatant's Organisation and co-ordinator of the Madiba Project expanded on the exciting prospects that are being developed around the proposed 'Nelson Mandela Museum' at the Drakenstein Prison.

He sees the 'Walk to Freedom Route' from Robben Island to the prison as a perfect partnership for the Dwars River Valley Project.

"The rich slave history of the valley with its eventual emancipation will perfectly fit its profile."

Examples of successful community-based tourism in the Cape Flats and elsewhere to promote job creation were highlighted.

Peter Turner, one of the drivers of this project, has already collected considerable funding from landowners and businesses in the area - a further confirmation of the beliefs of the people residing in the area that this, an official route in one of South Africa's most beautiful locations, is immense in terms of job creation and the development of entrepreneurial skills.

The relentless efforts of Linda Nicholls, acting chairperson of the Tourism Forum, to place tourism on the map in the Dwars River Valley, was applauded.

"We have spent a lot of time talking - now it is time for action," was Linda's response.

Representatives from each community were elected and charged with the task of putting together lists of tourism assets as well as the people interested in becoming involved. For enquiries, phone Peter Turner on 874-1021.

AFTER more than two years of strategising and planning, Agusta Wines of Franschhoek have relaunched their wine in two ranges, with a third to follow.

The ever-popular off-dry Angels Tears wine reverts to its Chenin Blanc and Muscat d'Alexandrie blend and now boasts a cheerful yellow label, yellow synthetic cork and a clear bottle.

Simultaneously the transformed Agusta wine range will be launched in new packaging and, for the first time in South Africa, the entire range will use screwcaps as closures instead of cork.

There will be only four varietal wines in this range. The 2002 vintages of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay will be in the market place in the next few weeks and will be followed later in the year by a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

The low-volume ultra-premium Count Agusta Reserve range will be released only in years of exceptional quality.

New red-grape vineyards have been established on a recently acquired Franschhoek farm, La Terra de Luc, situated on the south-facing slopes of the Wemmershoek Mountains, which overlook the valley. The cellar has been upgraded to accommodate the shift towards red wines.

THE proposed N1 off-ramp at Cecelia Street giving access to the new Paarl Mall has received the nod from the provincial authorities as well as the SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral).

The developers of the mall to be constructed on the old Langeberg site in Cecelia Street, have applied for permission to construct the off-ramp at their own cost.

This will entail closure of the Worcester on-ramp at Main Street as it is closer than 1300 metres to the proposed off-ramp.

According to Johan Bielich of the Spire Property Services Group, both province and Sanral have given in principle approval of the off-ramp, but the final decision rests with Drakenstein Municipality.

The Municipal Council will have to consider approval of the off-ramp, probably next month, in the light of a number of objections which were received during the public participation process.

The shopping centre of about 35 000 square metres including six cinemas is to be built on 15 hectares near Paarl railway station, at a total cost of R220 million.

A number of major national retailers have expressed interest in becoming anchor tentants in the mall, Bielich said this week. This includes a Woolworths branch of 3400 square metres.

The outgoing chairman of Paarl Tourism, Mark Duckitt, has expressed his concern over the proposed construction of the Paarl Mall in Suider Paarl.

Addressing the members at the annual general meeting, Duckitt said: "There is great concern over the construction of this big mall, which will sound the death knell of the Paarl CBD."

"THE very fact that you are here, is because we are looking to you for your partnership in the conservation of the Limietberg Nature Reserve."

With these words, Cape Nature Conservation (CNC) regional manager Zane Erasmus set the scene for the recent public meeting in Wellington to discuss the future management and possible development of tourism opportunities at the Limietberg Nature Reserve.

The reserve is managed by Cape Nature Conservation (CNC) as an important conservation and water catchment area, and is popular amongst hikers. It extends from Wolseley to Franschhoek, and has Bainskloof and the  Klein Drakenstein mountains as its core areas.

As part of CNC's broader vision to ensure community involvement in their work and reserves, the public will have the opportunity to comment on the draft Integrated Conservation Development Plan (ICDP) until 23 September. Copies for perusal are available from www.capenature.org.za or the Wellington Library.

The more transparent and co-operative vision was welcomed by the meeting.

As part of the ICDP process, a draft map has also been prepared to divide the reserve into various user zones, according to their sensitive and pristine nature.

Tweede Tol is earmarked for possible commercialisation. If interest is expressed, a private sector partner could obtain the opportunity to run and upgrade the operations within the existing development footprints.

The possible commercialisation will be discussed again during a second round of public participation, which is planned for early October after inputs into the draft ICDP have been finalised.

The importance of partnerships were echoed by members of the public that attended the meeting.

A community initiative currently on the cards is the forming of a "Friends of Bain's Kloof", that has the heritage and public awareness of the history of the pass at heart.

Registration forms for interested or affected parties are available from www.capenature.org.za. Registration documents and comments on the draft ICDP can be sent to stolken@pawc.wcape.gov.za, faxed to 483-3500 or posted to the Chief Executive Officer, Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, Private Bag X100, Vlaeberg, 8018 before 23 September.

DIE Paarlse wymaker Gesie Lategan is aangewys as een van die drie Vroueboere van die Jaar.

Lategan, van die landgoed Domaine Brahms in Agter-Paarl, het die kategorie Top-produsent in die Nasionale Mark gewen.

Adv Lategan se Brahms Shiraz 1999 is verlede jaar gekies as die kampioenwyn in die Shiraz Challenge en sy is aangewys as Wynmaker van die Jaar vir die Paarl-streek.

Sy is in Mei vanjaar verkies as voorsitter van Paarl Vintners.

Domaine Brahms bemark ook organiese tafelolywe en beplan om olyfolie, ook organies, te vervaardig en 'n restaurant te open.

* A Paarl winemaker has been nominated category winner in the Female Farmer of the Year competition.

CLIENTS of the various banks that comprise the new Nedcor Group are now able to use all 1230 ATMs within the group without incurring Saswitch fees.    

The development, which came into effect on 16 September, benefits clients who currently bank with BoE Bank, Cape of Good Hope Bank, NBS, Nedbank, Peoples Bank, Permanent Bank (soon to become Old Mutual Bank) and PEP Bank.

Clients of Pick 'n Pay Go Banking (Nedcor's banking initiative with Pick 'n Pay) will also enjoy access to all the ATMs of the new, enlarged group on the same basis.

What this means for affected clients is improved ATM access at no extra cost. Depending on the nature and value of the transaction and the particular bank involved, savings on Saswitch fees can vary between R2,30 and R8,30 per transaction

Clients using the ATMs of other banks within the group will be able to make cash withdrawals, obtain account balances and use the MTN top-up facility, just as they would have previously, except now they will be saving on Saswitch fees

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