Towards a brighter future
Wakkerstroom remained in the economic doldrums until late 1989, more than a century after refusing to let the Durban-Johannesburg railway line through the town. The solitary hotel was in reality a derelict bar utilised by a few of the local inhabitants. Guests were virtually unheard of and those that did come could only sleep over. No meals were served. It was then that At and Elna Kotze decided to opt out of city life in Johannesburg and realised the potential of eco-tourism in the area. They purchased an old house a few kilometres outside the town and launched Weavers’ Nest, Wakkerstroom’s first Guest House. At this stage, with the exception of groups of hardened birders, Wakkerstroom was virtually unknown to out of towners.
While things started slowly at first Elna ensured that the area was recognised as the premier birding site for rare South African endemics like Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks and Yellow-breasted Pipit. It was soon realised that while these species were and always would be the backbone of the town’s burgeoning tourist industry there were plenty of other things to satisfy would be tourist’s requirements including another 360 bird species, a myriad of wildflowers, a rich history, 4×4 routes and simply a blissfully tranquil escape in beautiful almost unspoilt countryside.
Today there are no fewer than five hotels and guest houses, two guest farms and a number of Bed and Breakfast and self-catering establishments within a 10 km radius of the town providing well over 200 tourist beds each night. There are also five different guides in the town to show visiting birders the birding treats of the area. Mpumalanga Parks Board is responsible for the conservation of the wetland and the twin peaks of Ossewakop and Skotseberg to the south of the town. The town is the centre of a very ambitious project to establish an internationally recognised Grassland Biosphere Reserve.
Suggested reading to help you enjoy your visit
The following publications either deal specifically with information on the Wakkerstroom area or have extensive portions of their content devoted to Wakkerstroom. Should you be able to read some or all of them this will add immensely to your enjoyment of this wonderful part of the world.
Guide to the Anglo Boer War in the Eastern Transvaal by Gert and Erika van der Westhuizen published in 2000 by Transo Press, Roodepoort, South Africa.
Lost Trails of the Transvaal by T.V. Bulpin published in 1989 (6th edition) by Books of Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa for a different and somewhat tongue in cheek account of happenings in the old Transvaal.
South Africa’s environmental history: cases and comparisons edited by Stephen Dovers, Ruth Edgecombe and Bill Guest to be published by David Philip Publishers of Cape Town, South Africa in 2002 – in particular:
Chapter 10 – Fire and the South African Grassland Biome by John McAllister for an overview of the ecological role of fire in the grasslands surrounding Wakkerstroom;
and
Chapter 11 – Grasslands, Fire and War, past perspectives and present issues by Elna Kotze for an overview of the effects of humans on the general area
Vinnicombe’s Trek, Son of Natal – Stepson of Transvaal by R.N. Currey and published in 1989 by the Natal University Press, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa for a unique account of the history of the area from 1850s to the 1930s through the eyes of a British settler.
Wakkerstroom – A Conservation Study edited by Walter Peters and published in 1995 by the Department of Architecture, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa for an architectural survey of the town by university students.
Wakkerstroom – A Re-assessment in Urban Conservation edited by Walter Peters and published in 2001 by the School of Architecture, University of Natal, Durban South Africa – a second architectural study of the town by university students which adds depth to the original study.
Wakkerstroom Centenary – 1859 to 1959 published in 1959 by the Wakkerstroom Town Council for some interesting photographs and an account of the development of the town from 1859 to 1959.
Various articles in Africa Birds and Birding including the following articles by Warwick Tarboton:
Wakkerstroom – Gold Star Birding – Vol. 1 No. 4
South Africa’s Grasslands – the Cinderella Biome – Vol. 2 No.1
Whither Grasslands? Vol. 2 No. 2
Grasslands – the Way Forward Vol 2 No. 3