September is Heritage month and national parks play a crucial role in preserving natural heritage. Later this month South Africans can enjoy free access to our parks.
The parks not only preserve fauna and flora, there is also historical landmarks in the parks. One such is the Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock in the Eastern Cape with a rich history dating back to the 1800’s.
The park was proclaimed in 1937 to protect the Cape Mountain Zebra. It is currently home to many more species including, black rhinos, buffaloes, cheetahs and lions.
One of the landmarks in the park is Salpeterskop, a 1514 meter high mountain . A fairly tough hike but worth the views. Cradock is easily visible, especially in the clear Karoo air.
They used the peak as a hide out spot during the Anglo Boer War. The soldiers played chess with their fellow soldiers in Cradock transmitting moves with a mirror.
But the mountain also remembers the dark side of war. It is home to unmarked graves.
Europeans moved into to the area to set up farms in the mid 1800’s. Evidence of this is still found in the park. In 1836 one of the first permanent houses was constructed on the farm Droonkloof.
Droonhoek house was declared a national monument in 1986 and is part of the park.
“The guest house burnt down around two years ago but was rebuilt again. However when we where building, we made sure we still kept the authenticity of the house,” says Hospitality Manager, Vuyani Dile.
It is now a guest house providing the quintessential park holiday experience-overlooking the lake under amazing open skies.
A fire five years ago caused extensive damage but the rebuild kept much of the charm. Some original items survived.
The San people also lived in this area about 300 years ago. Their rock art marks their passage and there are three rock shelters in the park.
SANPARK’s week is from 10 to 14 September this year. The initiative was introduced in 2006.
“The initiative was done to encourage the South African people to come to our parks during the second week of September every year to promote our parks to the local communities, ” says people conservation officer, Miranda Maroba
The national parks have already swept the stoep, rolled out the carpet and opened the shutters, ready for South Africans to enjoy their heritage.
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