Karoo Adventures

Karoo Adventures had an open day for their new ZIP slide on the Wagonwheels 4×4 route in the Koo valley on Saturday!  The ZIP slide traverses a gorge with steel cables for almost a kilometer of the most extraordinary scenery in the Karoo.  Truly big sky country, mountain range after mountain range into the far distance.

Virtually anybody can ZIP, although they do not have harnesses small enough for under 13′s yet.  The equipment is imported from Switzerland and safety is a priority.  There is a back-up cable  and the guides are very patient, making sure you are comfortable and are with you at each platform.

Situated about 20 kms from the N1 and about 40 kms outside Montagu on the R318, this is an adrenalin rush you will never forget!  Best of all, the platforms and base camp all fit perfectly into the environment.  Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Montreal (Canada) – Following deliberations on 9 June 2011, the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) has the pleasure to announce on behalf of the members of the World Design Capital® (WDC) Selection Committee that the cities of Bilbao (Spain), Cape Town (South Africa) and Dublin (Ireland) have been selected as the three shortlisted cities that will move on to the next round of evaluation in the bid to becoming the World Design Capital in 2014.

In 2014 selection of World Design Capital will be the fourth appointment by Icsid of this biennial designation to a city, in recognition of its accomplishments in using design as a catalyst for development and reinvention, as well as for improving its social, cultural and economic environments.

After a comprehensive review of all bids submitted, the cities of Bilbao, Cape Town and Dublin distinguished themselves not only by demonstrating their individual approaches towards design in their cities, but also managed to convey the impact of these on the various aspects of social, cultural and economic life, as well as provided three very unique visions for how design will continue to reinvent their urban landscape. Furthermore, these cities demonstrated that they possessed the expertise, infrastructure and financial capabilities to successfully develop and implement an inspiring yearlong programme of international design related events, promoting design, as well as their city, on an international stage; and finally, illustrated how their citizens have and will continue to benefit from their cityʼs achievements in design.

“It was a difficult decision, but the WDC Selection Committee has shortlisted three incredibly well thought-out and all-together remarkable bids that have created unique competitive advantages for their cities through design,” expressed Martin Darbyshire, WDC Organising Committee member and Icsid Executive Board Member. “These proposals have conveyed very workable and deliverable plans to use design as a means to reinvigorate their cityʼs social, cultural and economic development.”

“The Bilbao City Hall, the Provincial Government of Bizkaia and the Basque Government would like to express their great enthusiasm on being shortlisted to be the World Design Capital in 2014,” stated Iñaki Azkuna, Mayor of Bilbao. “Design innovation has become an essential tool to improve the competitiveness and quality of life in cities, and is necessary to enhance collaborative public-private environments with direct participation from the administrations, universities and different economic and professional agents. This is the direction Bilbao has followed to achieve its transformation over the past 25 years, and this designation will help continue the rejuvenation of our great city.”

“Cape Townʼs bid to be the World Design Capital of the year in 2014 shows how far we have come as a city. More importantly, it shows how far we want to take this city,” declared Patricia De Lille, Executive Mayor of Cape Town. “The creative industries make up an extremely important part of our local economy. The value of an event such as World Design Capital not only exposes our creative design talents to the world, but in turn develops our local industry into an asset for decades to come.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen echoed the enthusiasm shown by the two accompanying shortlisted cities, stating, “Dublin is honoured to be one of three cities shortlisted for World Design Capital 2014. On behalf of Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin County Councils, I welcome the opportunities the World Design Capital project will give us. The project will be beneficial in economic, environmental, social and political terms. These are difficult times and this bid will challenge us to adapt, recover and grow.”

The next step in the process leading up to the final selection of the 2014 WDC designation is the city visits that will be conducted in July 2011 by members of the WDC Organising Committee. These site inspections will enable further information to be gathered in an attempt to provide the WDC Selection Committee with a more thorough understanding of the proposed programmes by each of the shortlisted cities prior to the final selection in August 2011.

The official announcement of the 2014 World Design Capital designated city will be on 26 October during the 2011 International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress in Taipei, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei).

For more information, please visit www.worlddesigncapital.com, or contact:

Dilki de Silva
Icsid Secretary General
t: +1 514 448 4949 ext. 227
f: +1 514 448 4948
e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Claudia Sighomnou
World Design Capital Programme Coordinator
t: +1 514 448 4949 ext. 228
f: +1 514 448 4948
e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Links

• WDC 2014 Selection Committee
• 2011 IDA Congress

About the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid)
The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) is a non-profit organisation that protects and promotes the interests of the profession of industrial design. Founded in 1957, Icsid serves as a unified voice of over 50 nations through which members can express their views and be heard on an international platform. Since its inception, Icsid has continued to develop its wide-reaching network of students and professionals devoted to the recognition, success and growth of the industrial design community. Together, professional associations, promotional societies, educational institutions, government bodies and corporations create a comprehensive and diverse system on the forefront of industrial design education and progress.
www.icsid.org

About the World Design Capital
While there are many awards that recognise individual accomplishments in design, the World Design Capital (WDC) designation is unique as it aims to focus on the broader essence of designʼs impact on urban spaces, economies and citizens. The designation provides a distinctive opportunity for cities to feature their accomplishments in attracting and promoting innovative design, as well as highlight their successes in urban revitalisation strategies.

The World Design Capital is an initiative of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), who manages the daily operation of the project in a major step for the global design community.
www.worlddesigncapital.com

Citizens of the Greater Republic of Swellendam had gathered outside the beautiful building to listen to the Proclamation and Exhortation to the Citizens, which re-declared the Greater Swellendam area as a Republic, exactly 216 years after the first declaration. It had been a wonderful day, which had celebrated all that it is good about country life and living in South Africa.

In the new shopping mall, opened only 20 days previously, young people from the community performed: the Barrydale “Blikkies Band” featured amazing drumming gymnastics on their recycled paint tins, and also demonstrated their talents as ‘riel dansers’,  two groups of young dancers from Railton, the local township, sang and performed traditional cultural acts, and the Psyclonics, an award winning hip hop group were stunning in their home choreographed act. A group of local musicians formed a band for the day “The Republicans” – and they were so good that it is unlikely that they will be just a one day wonder.

Under the oaks at The Old Gaol Restaurant on Church Square, with its fine views of the dramatic Moederkerk, an old fashioned kermis took place – traditional roosterkoek were baked over the coals, there were arts and crafts, home made sweets, cakes and fresh produce, buskers – the trees were wrapped in colourful Republic colours, and the atmosphere was one of family, fun and friendship.

But the final and most splendid part of the day was reserved for the evening, when, as the sun set in glorious fashion behind the Langeberg Mountains, which form the backdrop to this most unpretentiously beautiful country town, the Curator of the Drostdy Museum, Johan Kriek, stepped forward in full costume to read the Proclamation of the Republic of Greater Swellendam.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, Johan Kriek, Curator of the most revered Museum of the Drostdy, of the Municipality of Greater Swellendam,  representing Bountiful Barrydale, Beautiful Buffeljags, Incredible Infanta,Magnificent Malgas, Splendid Stormsvlei, Stunning Suurbraak, and Superlative Swellendam, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Greater Swellendam Tourism Organisation  and the laws of the Republic of South Africa, do hereby proclaim that on this day, June 18^th 2011, 216 years after the original declaration, The Greater Swellendam area has once again become a Republic.   From henceforth every June 18^th will be declared Republic Day, a day of fun, frivolity and balloons, and I call upon children, families, educators, librarians, public officials, farmers, fairy godmothers, musicians, and all the people of the New Republic to henceforth observe this day with appropriate celebrations, ceremonies, dancing, and joyousness.”

Fuelled by gorgeous youngberry liqueurs from Wildebraam Berry Estate, the newly fledged Citizens arose and enthusiastically repeated the Exhortations.  Cannons were fired, champagne corks were popped and a new era was ushered in.

Arise, then, citizens of the Republic of Greater Swellendam

Arise, all those of you who love, protect and believe in the power of peace and love and new shopping malls !

Say firmly:
‘Our sons and daughters shall continue to wage war and achieve victory on the fields of tou trek

Our berries and birds and bonteboks will stand firm in the forefront of uniqueness

Our history and heritage will not bow down under the yoke of commercialism and five rand shops

We will celebrate our eccentricities and strange ways and embrace and welcome all those who sojourn in our land

We will offer a magnificent place of feasting, soft places to rest weary heads, and service on a golden platter to all those who come with their English pounds, American dollars and Euros

We will promise to maintain and preserve the beautiful land with which we have been endowed, respecting the animals and birds with which we share it. “

Arise all citizens of the Greater Republic of Swellendam and Go forth and have fun!

Brainchild of the Greater Swellendam Tourism Organisation, who have been working to find a way to unite the seven towns which comprise the Swellendam Area, and to create an awareness of the variety and richness of the area which will equal many of the other better known destinations, the launch of the Republic is the beginning of a mission to establish the area as one which celebrates country life, simplicity, good food, home comforts, friendship, outdoor adventure, hospitality at its best and unparalleled service.  “Unplugged” is the word which perhaps best describes the thinking behind this – already the area is well known for its Unplugged Festival in February, and Joubert Tradauw wine farm in Barrydale has one of the best wine labels in South Africa – Unplugged 62.

An Ambassador scheme was announced at the evening: this scheme is designed to encourage local people to learn more about their area and to be able to help passing tourists and visitors with service and information. More schemes are in the planning stages, for example a passport and border control are being created.

Hout Bay had success in declaring itself a republic some years ago, but what Swellendam has that Hout Bay hadn’t is the fact that Swellendam has a historical precedent.

Swellendam’s New Republic has a mission and an aim: it is a “A Republic of community, unity, love, art, music, good food, and beauty. A Republic in which people show that they care about one another and about the environment in which they live, that they treasure wildlife and nature. A Republic which draws together the towns and villages that make up the Greater Swellendam Area – Barrydale, Buffeljachts, Infanta, Malgas, Stormsvlei, Suurbrak and Swellendam”

By Amanda Shackley of Impangele in Swellendam

With the help of a feisty police inspector in the SAPS, he races across the Peninsula to unravel a deadly terrorist plot. But he wouldn’t be Bond if he didn’t take the time to stay in a luxurious hotel such as the Cape Grace, drink Zulu beer and the finest wines Franschhoek and surrounds has to offer, eat Bobotie and listen to singer Thandiswa Mazwai in the Bo-kaap. The Mother City features in more than half of the book and next time you walk through the streets of Cape Town, you may just look at it through different eyes.

Friends, fellow Graaff-Reinetters, Eastern Capers, or where ever you are in South Africa – Please help Graaff-Reinet win the DORP VAN DIE JAAR competition – SMS the word – Graaff-Reinet to 33157 – max 100 sms per phone & closing date is 15 June at 12:00 (noon)

One thing – only SA cellphones will work (Sorry no votes from overseas will count)

The challenge – please can each person get 2 other people to sms as well & get them to ask their friends to sms & this way we will ensure that Graaff-Reinet gets a spot in the final.

If you have sms a 100 times, will you post it on the wall.  In order for us to get a vague idea of how many sms have been sent (RAPPORT is keeping everything secret!!!)

Graaff-Reinet deserves the title DORP VAN DIE JAAR; actually I can see the banner across Church Street already!!!

We’re so in it to win it!!!

SMS Graaff-Reinet to 33157 now!