The original concept of the Drak Descent was for riders and runners to see and follow the paddlers for short sections of the river as they did their annual Drak Challenge canoe race.
That was until the human spirit kicked in! Now it’s a question of can we ride all the way next to the Umzimkulu river – from Restmount Children’s Home to the Umzimkulu River Lodge – and more importantly can we ride and/or run faster than the canoeists??
Post link
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Sani Spoors – the presenters of the Drak Descent, is the brainchild of Ian Bonsma, Derek Christie, Ed Smith and Pierre Horn. Whilst it is a commercial venture, necessary for funding the preparation and maintenance of the riding, running and walking trails, it is the desire and passion of these local farmers and businessmen – to share the beauty of the area and the exhilaration of mountain biking, with as many people as possible – that fuels the venture and also the presentation of the Drak Descent.
The Drak Challenge – is one of the best known and most popular canoe races in the country. The concept of the Drak Descent mtb race was partly conceived by Richard Jardine, principal organiser of the Drak Challenge, when he asked the Sani Spoors founders to organise a mountain bike ride along the river – so that supporters could ride and see the canoeists in action. It is thus thanks to Richard Jardine and his organising committee that the Drak Challenge and the Drak Descent are able to share certain structures and facilities.
Euro Steel – our principal sponsor, is South Africa’s premier stockist and distributor of stainless steel, aluminium and other corrosion resistant materials. The proudly South African group is predominantly positioned in South Africa but also has operations in neighbouring countries. The CEO of the group of companies is Colin Wilson who happens to own a farm in the Underberg area. The union of Euro Steel, Sani Spoors and mountain biking began when Colin/Euro Steel kindly donated the steel cables and fittings used to build the Euro Steel “swaying” bridge over the Umzimkulu river at Ekhutuleni farm – that riders will cross on stage one of the race. Happily this partnership then extended to becoming the principal sponsor for the inaugural Drak Descent. Euro Steel is also a supplier to Morewood – the local mtb manufacturer.
Goodersons Leisure – owns and manages a variety of leisure destinations across South Africa offering guests the choice to experience the very best of the beach, berg and bush. Luckily one of their principal resorts is Drakensberg Gardens Golf and Spa resort in the Underberg area. Gavin Castleman, the CEO of Goodersons Leisure, and Peter Muil the manager of Drakensberg Gardens resort are both keen to develop mountain biking in the area and thus they are our accommodation venue of choice – with the excellent fully inclusive accommodation specials that they are offering for riders in the Drak Descent. Stage one of the race will be starting at the Drakensburg Gardens resort.
GWK – Terence van Dyk is the local manager of GWK who are leaders in RSA of agribusiness. They offer farmers a complete range of products and services by partnering with a diverse group of agribusinesses solution providers. GWK sponsors the “Run the Rivers Trail Run”. The Landzicht trademark is owned by GWK wines, and as much as Underberg is principally a dairy producing area – riders of the stage race will receive not a milkshake, but complimentary bottles of the very popular Landzicht wine.
First National Bank – We are proud to have FNB Business on board as a sponsor and encourage you and your families to support an afternoon of top class music entertainment at the Underberg Country Club on Saturday.
Cost for this event is R400 for both days. Entry will include a garment.
Riders who enter the Eurosteel MTB challenge or GWK Run the Rivers Trail Runs can only enter for both days (i.e. can’t enter for one day or the other). There is currently no closing date for the Eurosteel Challenge and Run the Rivers Trail Run at this stage.
Approximate Distances:
Ride safely through 2018. The Sani Spoors Team is really looking forward to hosting you all again at the EuroSteel Drak Descent 2019.
19 and 20 January 2019 – Preferential entries, for previous entrants are opening on 01 August at 14H00 to 30 September 2018.
Entries to the public open 1 October 2018. For the 2019 Eurosteel Drak Descent we plan to limit entries to either 400 riders (i.e. 200 teams or teams plus solo riders = 400). Entries for the main race will run separately from the Eurosteel MTB Challenge and the GWK “Run the Rivers Trail Runs” .
Eurosteel Drak Descent = Team R 1500 , Solo R 750 (substitutions at a cost of R200)
The Eurosteel DrakDescent is classified as a Mini Stage Race and therefore riders of the age 15+ in December are allowed to ride.
Eurosteel Drak Descent: Team R 1500, Solo R 750 (substitutions at a cost of R200); The Eurosteel Drak Descent is classified as a mini stage and therefore riders of the age 15+ in December can ride;
Eurosteel MTB Challenge: R400 per rider – Riders who enter the Eurosteel MTB Challenge can only enter for both days (i.e. can’t enter for one day or the other) There is currently no closing date for the Eurosteel MTB Challenge.
GWK Run the Rivers and GWK Run the Rivers Lite trail run: R400 for both days. Runners who enter the GWK Run the Rivers can only enter for both days (i.e. can’t enter for one day or the other). There is currently no closing date for the GWK Run the Rivers Trail Runs.
The Southern Drakensberg has a variety of accommodation options to choose from.
We hope to have some awesome specials coming up for you, but in the meantime please have a look at Sani Spoors – In The Area or go to www.drakensberg.org to have a look at some of your options.
A limited bike maintenance service will be supplied by Howick Cycle and Gear – available from Friday to Sunday. They will be located at Sani Spoors (The Olde Duck Contact Travis on 076 913 3879 or Sean on 072 454 7689).
Basic cycling spares are also available from Doug Abbey at Farm Equipment and Garden Centre next to the KFC/Shell Garage in Underberg – at 033 701 1119 or 082 785 9775
IPSS will be responsible for your medical support, under supervision of Dr. Grant Lindsay (071 676 1826) and the key ICE numbers for you to record are 076 881 4216 and 082 391 1911. Please put these ICE numbers into your cell phone. Stickers with these numbers will be given to you to have on your person during your ride or to stick onto your number board.
A free bike wash service will be available to you alongside the river at the end of Day 1.
There will be shuttles on both days – from the finish back to the start – for riders only.
Shuttles will run on the hour on a first-some first-served basis – and will be from a designated area near to the finish. Click on the Car Shuttle Service banner above for more information.
Book now to avoid disappointment!
By definition a river is either flat or flowing downhill – therefore the total ascent (meters climbed) for the Drak Descent = Nil. Wrong – X. Remember, there is some exploring to be done from a position of altitude; to find the right river; see where the paddlers are; cross tributaries where they are not too deep or wide; portage around rocky river cliffs and gorges – and sometimes you just lose your way – don’t you, and you need to check-out your surroundings!! Hence the now famous saying “Life is not all down-hill”.
Also, what comes to mind when you think of any river? Water, rocks, vegetation, roots, trees, fish, snakes, crocodiles, etc. So, how on earth are we going to ride next to all that?? Well, with some difficulty! – but wherever we can, we are going to do exactly that – by using cattle, walking, Eland, horse, jeep, other and occasionally bike trails and/or no trails at all to keep a tail on those canoeists. We can’t let them get away’!!
Many of the trails are virgin and are cobbled together by a couple of bridges (some floating but according to local folklore the Euro Steel “Waltzing Bridge” at Ekhutuleni on Day 1 being the most fearsome!) some berms and switchbacks and a couple of rocky gorges and cliff portages. Oh! …. and unlike the Voortrekkers, a couple of stretches of potholed tar!! Once again, depending on the River Gods there may well be some river wading – at which point you may want to borrow a canoe?
So, please don’t expect all tailored and manicured trails. But, the good news is that eventually on Day 1 and the start of Day 2, you will get down to the well-established and legendary Sani Spoors river, forest and cattle trails.
The course will follow small tributaries of the Umzimkulu river from their source at Restmount Children’s Home down to Underberg on day 1 (+-45 kms with +-500m of ascent) and then from Underberg to the Umzimkulu River Lodge (+-40kms with +-400m of ascent) on day 2 – allowing you time to get home reasonably early on Sunday. Whilst the days are not particularly long or hilly, feedback from most of the riders last year is that the route is tough, technical and challenging – but the event spirited and fun. They said “Please don’t change anything!”
The race is held under SA Cycling rules and under the auspices of KZN MTB.
Team riders should never be more than two minutes apart and times are taken from the last team rider crossing the finishing line.
Decisions taken by the organizers or representatives of SA Cycling or KZN MTB, in terms of these rules, and in the best interests of the race and the riders will be final.
The original concept of the Drak Descent was for riders and runners to see and follow the paddlers for short sections of the river as they did their annual Drak Challenge canoe race. That was until the human spirit kicked in! Now it’s a question of can we ride all the way next to the Umzimkulu river – from Restmount Children’s Home to the Umzimkulu River Lodge – and more importantly can we ride and/or run faster than the canoeists?? Well, that will depend on the River Gods; how much rain we have had; when it fell and how fast the river is now flowing. As any canoeist knows, the Umzimkulu can be at an all-time low on the Wednesday and be flooding by race day Saturday.
The Euro Steel Drak Descent is unique for many reasons – and this is why:-
The mtb race/ride is largely by invitation only – and is limited to 200 teams of two riders (400 riders max).
Those riders who rode the inaugural event will be invited again and may in turn invite one additional team (men, women or mixed) for 2016. This year the invites and entries will be handled online by MyActive. If all the team invites are not taken up, only then will the entries be opened to “the public” to fill any balance of the 200 teams).
It’s a race (there are very nice prizes and give-aways ……but no cash) – or a leisure ride, if you want. But whatever you want it to be, it’s assured to be testing, spectacular and lots of fun.
Much of the route is along the banks of the Umzimkulu river and its tributaries – right alongside the canoeists doing their race. But don’t watch them for too long ….or you’ll be in the water – without a paddle!!
This is an annual ride only and much of the route is on private property (part of a World Heritage Site) – that is otherwise inaccessible during the rest of the year.
There will be a race/ride come hell or high water. The race is held in afternoon thunder-storm season in the Drakensberg – and if the rain or river gods are not with us, we may well be swimming and not riding. But at least it’s bound to be warm at that time of year!
It’s the first stage race/ride of the season and will test your early season fitness and skills – as it’s definitely not for the inexperienced beginner! You’ll see the river from close – and also up from plateaus – giving some spectacular views. It is a “descent” but as you may well have heard “Life is not all downhill!!”
The race/ride is held in conjunction with the very popular Drak Challenge annual canoe race – allowing competitors in the Drak Descent to ride alongside the Umzimkulu river and its tributaries on both days – while the canoeists do their thing.
The course will follow small tributaries of the Umzimkulu river from their source at Restmount Children’s Home, down to Underberg on day 1 (+-50 kms) and then from Underberg to the Umzimkulu River Lodge (+-40kms) on day 2 – allowing you time to get home reasonably early on Sunday. Both days will incorporate some of the legendary Sani Spoors river, forest and cattle trails.
16 January 2019
The Spoors Team has completed the preparation for what is surely one of SA’s most spectacular MTB and Trail Run races. The single tracks are sure to challenge and thrill the most widely travelled cyclist and runner. Whilst the distances of the days are not huge, the single track will traverse terrain that is spectacular and challenging! You are guaranteed to feel a sense of accomplishment when you reach the finish!
The Euro Steel Drak Descent has reached the 450-rider cap and entries are now closed.
The shorter MTB Challenge and two Trail Runs still have entries available and can be entered online until Wednesday, or at registration on Friday or on the day.
Sponsors:
Our principal sponsors, Euro Steel have been absolutely amazing in their support of this event and thus mountain biking in general in our area. We as the Sani Spoors team and the Euro Steel organising committee would really like again to thank Colin and David Wilson and their team for assisting us in making this event a possibility.
First National Bank
We are proud to have FNB on board as a sponsor and encourage you and your families to support an afternoon of top class music entertainment at the Underberg Country Club on Saturday 19 January 2019. Glen Haw has donated one free entry into the 2019 Sani2C 2019 MTB event. This prize is only available to a person who has taken part in the weekends MTB races. There will also be two Salomon vouchers to be won. The lucky draw recipients must be present at the FNB Drak Music Experience Concert on Saturday to receive the prizes in person – no substitutions will be allowed.
Tickets:
All participants in the N3TC Drak Challenge, Euro Steel Drak Descent and GWK/Sani Spoors Run the Rivers Trail Run will get free entrance for themselves and one seconder/family member. Please remember to take your own blankets and camping chairs to sit on.
Public tickets will cost R100 (adults) and R50 (children under12) and can be purchased at the gate on the day or on www.webtickets.co.za beforehand.
Also, to GWK for their involvement in the Trail Run.
To all our other sponsors, we would like to thank the following:
Spar – assistance with the coke, ice, cups and the goodie bags
Goodersons Leisure – sponsoring teams, accommodation prizes and compostable cups
Kalbo – prizes
Pyga – roving mechanics and draft beer
Berg 100 – for the free entries into their race
TWK – wire for the bridges
Glen and Mandy Haw – for the donation of a free Sani2C entry
Ola Ice creams – sponsorship of ice-cream for all competitors at the end of Day 1 as well as ice-creams which Pevensey Place will sell to raise funds
Tip Top Dairies – for the stainless-steel containers for water and refreshments at the end of the days riding and running
Some important news regarding the 2019 Euro Steel Drak Descent, MTB Challenge and GWK Run the Rivers Trail and Lite
Race Information
Registration for the MTB and Run:
Friday 18 January
12:00 – 20:00
Glencairn (Sani Pass Road)
This will be followed by a meet and greet with local landowners and Sponsors at Glencairn
Braai packs and bar facilities will be available from 18:00.
Emergency Registration: – if you REALLY could not make it to normal registration!!
Saturday 19 January
07:00 – MTB – at Restmount Children’s Home (23km along the Drakensberg Gardens Road)
05:30 – Trail Run – at Rainbow Farm (7km along the Drakensberg Gardens Road)
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Euro Steel Drak Descent MTB: |
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| Day 1 – 41km – Start @ 08:00
Saturday 19 January Day 1 Finish Swartberg Bridge (at the R617/Drakensberg Gardens Road turn off intersection) |
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Day 2 – 47km – Start @ 07.30 Sunday 20 January Day 2 Finish At Early Mist /Hopewell Farm, along the second Coleford Road |
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| Euro Steel MTB Challenge: | |
| Day 1 – 25km – Start @ 09:30
Saturday 19 January
Day 1 Finish Swartberg Bridge (at the R617/Drakensberg Gardens Road turn off intersection) |
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Day 2 – 17km – Start @ 07:30 Sunday 20 January
Day 2 Finish At Early Mist /Hopewell Farm, along the second Coleford Road |
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| GWK Run the Rivers Trail and Lite Runs: | |
| Day 1 – 25km or 12km – Start @ 06:00
19 January
Day 1 Finish |
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| Swartberg Bridge (at the R617/Drakensberg Gardens Road turn off intersection)
Day 2 – 16km or 8km – Start @ 06:00 (and Finish) 20 January |
Co-ordinates:
Restmount – 29°45’31.41”S 29°20’41.89”E
Swartberg Bridge – 29°46’30.45”S 29°27’51.90”E
Glencairn – 29°42’02.96”S 29°29’33.49”E
Early Mist Farm/Hopewell Farm – 29°53’05.25”S 29°34’47.17”E
Cut – Offs: 12.30
Cut off for day 1 will be at 12.30 at the Euro Steel’s waltzing bridge and 11 .30 at Glenhaven on day 2. We request that riders who are stopped or redirected onto the shorter course respect the decisions made. It will be for your own health and safety. Please note that our sweeps are familiar with the course and the physical demands required, they have our full support to arrange for competitors, that they know are not going to complete the event or may be putting themselves at risk from a health perspective, be removed at various other selected cut off points along the route.
Friday 18th January – 6.00pm: “Meet the Sponsors” and Landowners Evening
“Meet the Sponsors and Landowners” evening will be held at GLENCAIRN – Home of Sani2c (on the Sani Pass Road) on Friday 18th January at around 6.00pm. It is hoped that after Registration, which is at the same venue, riders and runners will stay and mingle with our sponsors, landowners and other riders and runners and enjoy a few drinks and food that will be for sale at Glencairn.
You will be able to select your meat supplied by our local butchery, Underberg Meat Supplies, and then braai it yourself on the fires provided.
| Batching
S.A. Seeding will be doing the batching for Day 1. It is for this reason that we encourage all entrants to make sure that if you have changed or plan to change your partner that the substitution is completed by midnight on the 16th January 2019 Batches will go off at 5 minute intervals. Should you feel that you are batched incorrectly please will you bring proof to substantiate your claim, to the registration on Friday so we can consider your concern. NO changes will be made on race day. Any rider moving up a batch without prior approval will have a 1(one) hour time penalty added to their team time. Late Substitutions Substitutions after close of entries at midnight on the 15th will cost R200. These will be entertained from 16h00 on the day of registration. It is critical that should you change your partner that the substitution is done on the system as the full race entry file containing Medical and Ice numbers are given to the medical team. Medical and Safety IPSS under Doctor Grant Lindsay will be handling any medical issues. ICE arm bands with contact telephone numbers will be issued to all competitors at registration. We must stress that the race is challenging and technical in nature and we request that riders ride at speeds suitable to their capabilities. We really want to avoid any accidents. |
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| MySOS
We would like to request that you all install the MySOS app onto your phones so that in case of emergency, whether it is for yourself, your partner or fellow participant assistance can be called. How to install MySOS 1. Download MySOS SA emergency app onto your smartphone, by using Google Play or the App Store 2. Check that you see the MySOS icon on your phone 3. Register yourself on the MySOS app on your phone 4. After registration you should see the MySos icon How to use MySOS during the event NB – Ensure that location services are enabled on your phone 1. If you have an emergency at any stage during the race, open MySOS 2. Clear the automatic emergency countdown timer 3. Then press the Drak Event logo 4. Choose for whom the emergency needs to be placed from the icons 5. Call starts (011) 123-4567 6. Explain your emergency to the emergency coordinator 7. After speaking to the emergency coordinator, stay where you are and keep calm. Help is on its way. 8. An SMS with your location and type of emergency will be sent to the emergency coordinator and your emergency contacts. You have to download MySOS to your phone – if you only register on the mysos.co.za website we cannot help you during the event! For any further details or queries please contact: support@mysos.co.za or Albert van Urk on 0829090900 Administration Issues Unfortunately, as with most matters in life, there are the inevitable admin issues to be handled Cycling SA – Day Licenses As the Drak Descent is a Cycling SA sanctioned event there is a legal requirement on Sani Spoors, as the race organisers, to collect CSA Day Licenses at R35 per day (or R70 for the event) from anyone who is not licensed with Cycling SA for 2019 It is up to each rider to be able to prove at Registration that they have purchased a 2019 Cycling SA license – or they will have to pay the R70 prior to us being able to issue them with a race number board. Prizes and Prize Sponsors As advised on the Sani Spoors webpage there will be no cash prizes awarded. There will however be product prizes handed out at the end of day 2 for the top Men’s, Women’s, Mixed and Junior winners and second positions. Sani Spoors is also sponsoring product prizes on both Day 1 and Day 2 – to the first two men and women in both the Trail Runs. PYGA The good news is that the Pyga Team will be joining us again for the race. They will have three roving mechanics to assist riders who have mechanicals during the race and will also have a limited number of bikes available should a rider have a serious issue with their bike which cannot be repaired on the day. Emergency Spares and Bike Repairs Good news is that Hattons will be present at Registration, Starts and Day 1 Finish to assist you with bike maintenance and repairs. They will have a whole shop setup, workshop, spares and accessories. Farm Equipment and Garden Centre (033 – 701 1119) in Underberg (next to the Shell Garage and KFC) also stock basic cycle spares and equipment. Water Tables We will have two water tables on day 1 and three on day 2 as well as the river along a large portion of the route. This is a lot for the distances but once again we must stress it is a challenging route. We do warn that we have in the past experienced days of extreme heat and request that riders and runners take their own liquid and not to rely solely on the water tables. The river is also a real option for filling up water bottles if desperate, and a real way to cool down if you feel you are overheating. (Just watch out for canoeists who definitely have the right of way in the river) Vehicle Shuttles We would like to encourage participants to once again make use of the Shuttle Service offered by Noah’s Ark Pre-School. It alleviates traffic and contributes to the bursary fund for less privileged Learners that attend the School. |
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| Alien Plants
The Sani Spoors team would like to thank all competitors who have made a contribution towards eradicating alien plants along the route. We would also like to thank Mike Streetfield at Farmers Agricare for the chemicals he has donated URGENT APPEAL The Euro Steel organising committee would like to appeal to all riders / runners to refrain from riding or running on any of the route other than the tracks forming part of Sani Spoors. We have got permission from landowners along the route to use the tracks on the race days only and persons using the tracks illegally are putting the whole race in jeopardy.
Sani Spoors encourages our cyclists to make a donation to the Restmount Children’s Home in Underberg. The Home provides opportunities for less fortunate children to spend time in the Southern Drakensberg. Many of the children have never been on a holiday. Please make donations directly to Restmount using the Account details below. Reference all donations as Drak Descent with your name. DURBAN MOUNTAIN HOMESTEAD ASSOCIATION (RESTMOUNT) STANDARD BANK KINGSMEAD BRANCH ACCOUNT NO. 051072807 Kynoch’s Krantz – “You Have Now” This challenge is in honour of a committed member of the Sani Spoors family, Ian Kynoch. Ian was taken from us at a very tender age, doing what he loved best, being on his beloved Mountain Bike. In order to qualify for this award, riders must take a selfie with their partner, or on their own if they are solo riders, from the Memorial Bench on the Krantzes at Sani Spoors. The idea is to take time to stop, appreciate your surroundings, those dear to you and to contemplate the life that you live. The bench is set up in a spot that Ian marveled at as it took in the beauty of our beloved trails in the mountains. All selfies are to be sent, with relevant Race Numbers, via WhatsApp to +2784 604 2711. The winning picture will receive a voucher at the finish. Please note you do need to be present to receive this award. In conclusion Thanks to you all for the wonderful response to the Euro Steel Drak Descent and GWK Run the Rivers. Interest in the ride and run has been fantastic and we are sure that all will be in for a great two days of riding, running and fun. If you hear that your team mate has not received an email Newsletter please ask him/her to email me their correct email address. We have had a fair amount of difficulty with some of the emails coming back “Undelivered”. Otherwise, 2 days to go (no festive season excuses anymore!!) and watch your emails and Facebook and website for more updates. We are looking really forward to hosting you in Underberg for a ride and run that promises to be challenging, exciting and beautiful. Our target again at the start of preparation for this year’s route was to prepare a route that we felt 90% of riders and runners would be able to ride or run 90% of the way. We think we are achieving this! The Sani Spoors Team Email: drakdescent@sanispoors.co.za |
Local Charities supported through your involvement in this event:
Noah’s Ark and Asifunde Sonke Teacher’s Training College:
Noah’s Ark has been serving the Early Childhood Educational needs of the Underberg and Himeville Low-income Housing developments for 25 Years. In this time, they have received numerous awards as ECD site and Practitioner of the Year Awards at the annual ABSA award ceremonies. They rely on donations and support from the local community to be able to run their beautiful school of 100 students from 2 to 6 years of age.
Asifunde Sonke – Let’s all learn together – emerged from a need to provide support to local rural and township Crèches and Pre-Schools that had no chance of ever upgrading the skillset of their dedicated Educators. A nationally recognized Teacher’s Training College was started to provide locally based, affordable, further education opportunities, of the highest standard, to aspirant Educators. They College is run on a nonprofit basis and relies on donor support.
Family Literacy Project – www.familyliteracyproject.co.za
The Family Literacy Project (FLP), a registered NPO, Section 21 not for profit organization, was established in 2000 to address the concern raised by findings of research conducted by Khulisa Management Services that showed no improvement in the early literacy levels in preschoolers, despite training and support provided through the national Department of Education. To explore the role of families, the FLP held workshops in rural sites in southern KwaZulu-Natal for adults caring for children at home. These workshops provided opportunities for adults to discuss, learn and experiment with ways they could use every day experiences and materials to build early literacy skills in their children. A participatory rural appraisal conducted late in 2000 showed that the adults also wanted to improve their own literacy.
We support four community libraries which are open every day and run holiday programmes for children in these remote villages. We also facilitate a home visiting programme to promote child and maternal health and early childhood development.
Building on the success of our work we are now working in 15 villages in Ingwe, Mzimkulu, KwaSani and Impendle municipalities, in the Sisonke District. The Family Literacy Network was started in 2010 to encourage long standing FLP adult groups to use their literacy skills to improve their lives through income generating projects and savings clubs.
Clouds of Hope – https://cloudsofhope.com
Clouds of Hope relies heavily on individual and trust donations. We are a registered non-profit organisation in South Africa, and a registered charity in the UK (number 1114506).
To find out how your donation is helping, subscribe to our newsletter below.
Clouds of Hope is a children’s care centre in Underberg, South Africa. We are home to 64 children, the youngest now 18 months and the oldest 20. The children come from desperately poverty-stricken backgrounds, many come from circumstances of unimaginable neglect and abuse and some have compromised immune systems. And all of them, after extensive investigation, have no-one to care for them and so are legally placed in the care of Clouds of Hope.
Clouds of Hope is all about giving these children a better start in life and hope for the future.
It is our aim to reduce the impact of the current HIV/AIDS pandemic by providing support for children affected by the virus, and through outreach work within the community.
Restmount Children’s Home – www.restmount.org
RESTMOUNT nestles in a beautiful mountain setting on the slopes of Bamboo Mountain, 17 kilometers out of Underberg. It is a 522ha playground dedicated to the underprivileged and needy children of KwaZulu Natal, and is supported by the people of KwaZulu Natal. Here the children can enjoy the great outdoors in a safe environment in complete contrast to the heat and humidity of our crowded coastal towns. Restmount caters for children aged seven to fifteen years.
RESTMOUNT was founded in August 1942 when the late Dr Fred Cluver told members of the Durban Rotary Club of his dream.
Drakensberg holiday resort for underprivileged children.
The club accepted the challenge and raised the necessary funds to build the first complex of thatched bungalows. The first group of children arrived on the 6th October 1945.
The Durban Mountain Homestead Association now guides this magnificent project. This is a registered Non-Profit Organisation and is steered by a voluntary team of workers who form the Management Committee. Restmount receives no Government subsidy or assistance.
A swimming pool was built with funds raised by the Sani Pass Hotel.
After a devastating fire in 2000 which destroyed much of the complex, funds were raised once more and new buildings were erected. The Homestead is fully functional again. This has all been due to the generosity of many friends of Restmount and the people of KwaZulu Natal.
Restmount has continued for seventy years and has provided holidays for well over 25 000 young guests. Restmount is able to fulfil the dream of its founder in taking children out of overcrowded and stressful environments and giving them a break amid the mountains where healthy appetites are born and wholesome, nutritional food is provided.
At Restmount there is no time for boredom and so much to see and do.
There are mountains to climb, a beautiful waterfall to splash under, a crystal-clear river to swim in and pine forests to walk and play in. Others remember the fun, laughter and camaraderie of Restmount concerts, carol singing and other forms of home entertainment, realising television has not been missed. Still others keep in touch with the leaders of their groups, remembering the love, care and fair discipline shown to them. The resident House Parents and farm workers are the only paid employees; all other workers and the group leaders are voluntary helpers.
To support RESTMOUNT is to invest your interest, time and money in a child, giving that child the opportunity to see life in a new dimension as well as helping to mold his future,
If you would like to help we would love to join your efforts with ours.
You can do this by:
Pevensey Place – www.pevenseyplace.co.za
The land on which Pevensey Place resides, used to be part of a farm owned by Ralph Hardingham. Tucked away in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, Ralph Hardingham, a local to the Underberg district and who coincidentally was responsible for establishing numerous schools in the same district, found himself mulling over what to do with some 84 hectares. Having more than enough land to do his farming, he felt this section of his land could be put to better use and so placed an advert in the local papers calling for proposals.
Round Table South Africa and the Natal Cerebral Palsy Association heeded his call and so, in 1972 Pevensey Place was officially opened with Sani 152’s chairman – Ko Egbrink – cutting the ribbon.
To this day, all that were involved still believe the project’s success was due to Pevensey becoming a national project for Round Table at that time. Remarkably, a farmer’s goodwill to an urgent need for a settlement caring for cerebral palsied adults became a reality for the whole of South Africa.
Pevensey Place has now been running for 44 years. It is testament to the invaluable work done by Round Table South Africa and the value those young men and women can contribute to their communities when they pull together.