KALAHARI Nostalgia: Family Farm, Deben Town & Ammosal Rugby
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Hi everyone! This is a very personal video as I go on a trip down memory lane. I visit the family farm in the Kalahari that belonged to my late grandfather and which currently belongs to my uncle. I used to visit this farm during school and university holidays, and it holds incredibly special and personal memories for me. I view this trip as an essential part of my pilgrimage during my one year sabbatical.
In this video, I show you around the farm and take you to the closest town, which is Deben (also known as Dibeng) in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. I briefly visit the golf club in nearby Kathu, the bigger town in the region, and also visit Ammosal Rugby Club at Beeshoek Mine, a place which holds a lot of memories for me and my family.
The vlog starts at the farm, where I give information about three key trees of the Kalahari region, namely the camelthorn (or camel-thorn) tree, the 'wag-'n-bietjie' (or buffalo thorn tree) and 'witgat' (or shepherd's tree). I explain that the Kalahari is a water-scarce region and that these trees can survive in this region due to its deep root systems.
A trip to Deben is the next stop. Here I give a brief overview of the town's history, and explain some peculiar features of the town. I walk down the main road of the town and also include a visit of the golf club in nearby Kathu, before visiting Doringdraad Restaurant. The restaurant was not open but they opened especially for me - it is a unique place with a Kalahari touch featuring a treasure trove of items and even some animals! Afterwards, I visit the Kalahari Velskoen shop and the cemetery, before returning to the farm.
Back on the farm, I explain more about the historic features and how people used to live on the farm previously. I also give some interesting details about various animals including the finch, kudu and cattle. I also visit a game camp where I spot some gemsbokke (or oryx), and talk about aardvark and meerkat holes.
In the next part of the vlog, I visit the Ammosal Rugby Club at Beeshoek. Many members of my extended family worked for many years at the mine, and I thought it fitting to visit this part of the world again - after all, this is a trip down memory lane! Here I also talk about the legendary Jumbo Harris and Springbok flyhalf Piet Visagie - both Ammosal legends.
Back at the farm again, and now it is time for a spin on the Kalahari Ferrari, namely the donkey cart (or donkey car), with Tom. Afterwards, I highlight why the Kalahari should be on your bucket list of places to visit. The vlog ends with some more personal thoughts and a bit of nostalgia.
Please note that I have not been sponsored in the production of this video. Any views are my own.
I hope you enjoy this special video featuring my family farm, the town of Deben, the golf club at Kathu and the Ammosal Rugby Club! If you haven't done it yet, please hit the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE buttons, and leave a COMMENT for me in the comments section.
Happy exploring!
Willie
WOWWW This is what I’ve been waiting for!
Willie! You’ve been talking so much about the South African West Coast!
I had no idea that you also grew up in the Kalahari area! This is FASCINATING!!!!
Cheers Bip, I grew up in the Western Cape and Northern Cape. A special combo for sure. Appeciate your support, as always!
Excellent vlog, Willie! Interesting to see the farm and hear your memories😊. Of course, I loved the restaurant with all the art and recycled/repurposed items. I can't imagine not having any rain😂🏴😫
Cheers Sheila! I thought you might enjoy the restaurant and all the items on display. I'm sure many of those farmers in the Kalahari would gladly trade some Scottish rain for farm produce or animals! Hope you're having or building up to a great festive time!
Willie I love the history you give us on all these small, old forgotten places ... many unknown. And I enjoy the videos of your childhood memories so much 😊
Thanks Hannelie! I appreciate the kind words and I'm pleased to hear you like the history segments and the memories I include!
Wow, one of your best videos, enjoyed this one.
Delighted to hear you enjoyed it so much! Appreciate your support
Baie dankie vir hierdie persoonlike en nostalgiese video. Ek het dit vreeslik geniet en dit het my weereens vervul met herhinneringe van my eie. Goeie en hartseer tye vir ewig verby. 😔
Dankie Errol, dit is altyd vir my wonderlik om die Kalahari te besoek. Bly jy het die video geniet. Hierdie deel van ons land het 'n baie verrykende effek op 'n mens. Groete!
Awsome, thank you so much for sharing your heritage 🙂
My pleasure, thanks for watching and supporting my channel!
One of your best Videos 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it, Sherry. It was a pretty special one to produce.
Thank you for the video. What a lovely place! My grandparents had a sheep farm in the karoo that now belongs to my uncle. But you don't see such greenery there. 😊
My pleasure Sandra, thanks for watching and engaging! I'm sure you have some great farm memories too. The Karoo is special!
Willie hierdie is rerig n fantastiese Kalahari trip. Dankie. Groete!
Dankie Tosca, dit is voorwaar altyd 'n besondere ervaring in die geweste. Groete!
This I have really enjoyed watching not only your own backyard but historically way it formed the two but has simultaneously feel towards an Australian perspective looks very clone as both colony as always plenty of adventures and hidden history within places. A fine example willie furthermore for showing us viewers what insightful were going on day and trips you are having fun pack adventure thanks again willie for showing us people who want to view an different angle view of South Africa life!
Thank you Simon, it is a lot of fun exploring these places off the beaten track like Deben. And of course visiting the farm was special. Hope all is well!
Absolutely fascinating! Thank you for another great and educational video.
You are most welcome! Appreciate the support and engagement!
Wow.....Deben my birth town!! 🙌🙌
A special place for me, Olivia! Thanks for watching!
Love it your Story is amazing 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Sherry, appreciate your support!
I absolutely loved your trip down memory lane. Family is everything. It was lovely hearing how close you are to your family, Willie.
Hi Julie, yes no question about that. Glad you enjoyed my video and thanks for tuning in so often! Festive greetings
Really enjoyed learning about the Kalahri.
I'm very glad to hear that! Thanks for watching my videos!
Love it❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
Cheers David, much obliged!
The Kalahari is not my part of SA, but have to admit that the visit to the family farm was most interesting. A great blog as usual. The history in the two clubs was fascinating and has a great legend. Thank you Willie for the stories
Cheers Denis, it certainly is a tough territory in many ways and is not for everyone. But for others it's in the blood. This part of the world has many stories to tell, that's for sure. Merry Christmas!
@willieexplore and to you and your family as well. Merry Xmas and we meet next year.💖
@@denisradford2490 look forward to it!
Dankie v.d. video, Willie! Al was ek nog nooit in die Kalahari nie, bring baie v.d. goed wat ek in die video gesien het goeie herhinneringe terug. My oupa-hulle op Carletonville het net so hekkie soos daai een by die kerk in hulle tuin gehad! Hulle't ook so wasmasjien gehad as wat ons in die video gesien het. Dit was hulle trougeskenk in 1948 en hulle het dit tot 1993 gebruik! My oupa het op die myn gewerk en sy pa, broer en swaer was boere net buite Potch! Ek het ook altyd vakansies by hulle gaan kuier en deur die jaar vir hulle briewe geskryf. Ongelukkig, het niks wat hulle gehad het in die familie gebly na hulle graf toe is nie. Dit moet wonderlik wees om na 'n plaas toe te gaan waar mens se voorouers gebly het en wat nog steeds aan die familie behoort!
Klink of jy kosbare herinneringe het van die plaas! Materiele dinge kom en gaan maar daai herinneringe - dit kan niemand wegneem nie. Groete!
A truly beautiful part of this country with rich history. Thanks for the video. I would like to go and visit that area for a hunting trip.
I hope you get to that part of the world in due course. Cheers for watching and for the support!
What an interesting programme!
Thank you Susan! Glad you found it enjoyable!
Awesome Willie 💪🏻🕊💪🏻
Dankie Ziska, groete!
Willie, baie dankie vir die deel van hierdie video van die Kalahari. Baie lekker trips gehad in die Kalahari, baie lekker gekuier en gebraai in die sandduine. Daar n paar keer gekuier, geslaap, op n plaas by Groot Drink, tydens my verblyf en loopbaan, tydens my verblyf on Kuruman. Fantasties tye gewees 😅😊😅😅
Hallo Frans, dit is 'n groot plesier, baie dankie dat jy my video gekyk het! Klink of jy kosbare herinneringe het oor daardie area. Beste groete!
That long drop still looks better than some festivals portables. Nice vlog boet.
It certainly does, Tim. At least with the long drop you kind of know what you get. Festival portables can spring up all sorts of surprises. Thanks for watching and engaging!
@@willieexplore The rest of the vlog was really good...heading North i see.
Ode aan die Kalahari. Dankie. Pragtig.
My plesier! Dankie vir die saamkyk!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful and happy childhood memories!
So much beauty in the baronness of the Karoo!
14:14 31 January 2025
You are most welcome! I love the Kalahari region of South Africa and it is great to share a bit of the magic with others. Have a good day!
Baie mooi plaas Willie! Oupa se plaas is darem maar altyd n lekker plek gewees om te kuier!
Dit is verseker so, Johan. Kosbare herinneringe. Dankie vir jou ondersteuning!
Hey Willie, currently on a Contiki Tour through parts of Europe. Glad to see we are both having fun in our travels. Well wishes. 🙏
Hi Andreas! Hope you're having a fantastic time. Yep, the Kalahari never disappoints! Festive greetings
Dankie Dis so mooi 😊
Groot plesier Cecilia, stuur bietjie rond dat ander ook kan kyk indien moontlik. Groete!
Uitstekend!!!
Baie dankie Derik. Waardeer!
On my list
You won't be disappointed!
Interesting to compare deserts ... your Kalahari in southern Africa, my Sonoran and Chihuahuan in southern Arizona! Similarities and differences in both flora and fauna. I'd bet both could "take root" in either location as weather and climates are close! Thanks for another interesting Willie-walk (feel free to adopt that term!) ... Greetings from Tucson and surrounding areas!
Hi Jim! Yes, desert or semi-desert life is fascinating in many ways! I almost spilled my coffee when I saw your "take root" comment :D Glad you always tune in for these Willie-walks!
Baie dankie Meneer.
My plesier! Groete!
Uitstekend dankie.
Waardeer groot Ockert! Groete
Ek het nie besef dat jy Kalahari wortels ook het nie, Willie. So saam met die Weskus DNA. 😂 Wonderlike bekoring van sy eie.
Hi Melanie, ja dit is 'n kombinasie van 'n groot familie en baie rondtrekkery :) Ek dink hierdie kombinasie het ook meer belangstelling gekweek by my rakende die wye wêreld daar buite. Groete!
@willieexplore Dis baie spesiaal om mens se familie geskiedenis so te kan 'back track'. Dankie vir die deel. 👏
Baie dankie
Groot plesier! Dankie vir die saamkyk!
Lekker Willie! Jy praat van jy het op 'n myn gewerk, is dit die Sishenmyn? Ek het ook daar gewerk van begin 1980 tot einde 1983. Ek sien nou jy het verbintenis met Beeshoek, my skoonpa was die klubbestuurder daar.
Ek het op Beeshoek gewerk tydens vakansies. Ek wonder hoeveel stories daai klubhuis kan vertel!
The male kudu interessant
That is nature for you!
Beste vidio ek Verlang sommer na die karoo het lank gebly op Vitoria Wes as ek daardie lekkkkker skaap tjoppies op die kole sien en die koelkamer met uigebrande steenkool en water wat daar op drup dankie Willie sien uit na die volgende vidio
Hallo Piet. Dankie vir jou mooi boodskap. Die Noord-Kaap darem 'n spesiale plek, daai plase daar in Victoria Wes en omgewing is besonders. Groete daar en dankie vir die ondersteuning!
Oooh los maar für Long drop 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Haha not for me either, Sherry!
Wag n bietjie Boom 😂
Yep have to wait a bit to untangle yourself!
Deepheat Sambak
Oh yes!
Kalahari Ferrari 😂
An essential form of transport in the Kalahari! :)
Wow Willie...dankie dat jy DoringDraad Kontrei-Kuierplek kom besoek het. Ons is so trots!! Jou video is 'n fantastiese ..eerlike weergawe!! Baie baie dankie.🙏
@@rachelwatson8909 baie dankie Rachel! Dit was 'n groot voorreg om Deben en DoringDraad te kon besoek. Julle kan werklik trots wees!
You must have had plenty of adventures on that farm when you were a boy
Those were good times, Redmen! Memories I will always treasure. Thanks for watching!
Wat n mooi plaas.💗😍
Dit is spesiaal, Jaco! Dankie vir die saamkyk