Melville Koppies smelter gets high-tech upgrade
The smelter on Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and Heritage Site is getting an augmented reality boost.
From May 3, visitors to the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and Heritage Site will be able to experience history in a new way, as the ancient smelter site receives an augmented reality upgrade.
Using a smartphone, visitors can view a 3D reconstruction of how the smelter, last used about 500 years ago, was operated to extract iron from iron-bearing rock.
The project is a collaboration between the University of Johannesburg’s Metaverse Research Unit, led by Izak Potgieter, and the Friends of Melville Koppies.
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New signage has also been installed, highlighting that the site formed part of a network of farming settlements dating back to the 1300s, many of which practised iron smelting.
To mark the launch, special guided tours will take place on May 3, departing from the Judith Road entrance to Melville Koppies, with parking available at Marks Park. Tours will leave at 08:30 and 09:30.
Visitors may also explore the site independently and view the augmented reality experience at their own pace. Gates close at 11:30, allowing time to explore the rest of the reserve.
Melville Koppies is open every Sunday from 08:00 to 11:30. Entry fees are R100 for adults, R50 for under-18s, and free for children under five.
Upcoming events include a Mother’s Day storytelling session on May 10 from 09:00 to 09:30, and a guided 8km hike on May 31.
Entrance fees contribute towards the upkeep of the reserve and the wages of its conservation team. Secure parking is available at Marks Park, and security is provided on the Koppies.
For more information or to book a guided tour, contact 072 348 0578 or visit www.mk.org.za.
