• Navigating the new heritage trail
With a distance of just more than three kilometres, the newly designed Melville Koppies heritage trail guides visitors past an early hunter-gatherer site with magnificent views north to Magaliesberg, to a blast hole on one quartzite ridge – which the Geldenhuys brothers hoped would deliver them gold but didn’t – and then through copses of trees with stone walls of the first farmers.

The Lecture Hut is the halfway post allowing walkers to read numerous information boards that expand on what they’ve seen on the trail, including the restored iron smelting furnace where iron was smelted until the mid 1800s. Many tools that were used by the hunter-gatherers and farmers are also on display there. On Sunday, 8 March visitors seemed excited by the trail although many found the stone walls ‘difficult to spot’. Perhaps the toughest challenge for the historical explorers was reading the map. However, none seemed deterred if they realised they’d done the trail in reverse or had taken a wrong turn.

The joys of being in the open air on a clear autumn day shone through. Melville Koppies is open every Sunday in 2021 (except May 2 – open on May 1 instead) from 8am to 11.30am. No need to pre-book.

Adults R80 and children R40; all income used for maintenance and security at the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed for this. Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Mid-week tours can be arranged. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za. Click here for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.

• Kloofendal educational walks
Why not spend your weekends learning about creepy crawlies, insect bites, flowers, trees and more. Well, at the Kloofendal Ecological Centre you can do just that. The reserve hosts guided walks at just R90 per adult, R70 per pensioner and R50 per child. For more information, or to make a booking, contact Karin Spottiswoode on 079 693 5608. All Covid-19 regulations will be adhered to, and all participants must wear a mask at all times.

• Covid-19 gives more choices to the Melville Koppies visitor
A year into lockdown, Covid-19 has brought with it some unexpected benefits to the visitor to the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and Heritage Site. Before lockdown almost a year ago, the Koppies didn’t offer the visitor choices.

Now because of social-distancing requirements you have to guide yourself. And there’s a wealth of choices: the new 5km hike is proving very popular; there’s now a bird list for the Koppies developed by keen bird atlaser Anthony Paton; and we’ve developed a heritage trail which guides you around key points that highlight the Koppies’ rich history. More varied trails are in the pipeline. With security on the Koppies provided you can even explore on your own.

And if you can’t do everything in one visit, come back another time. The numbers of repeat visitors are climbing. Melville Koppies is open every Sunday in 2021 (except May 2 – open on May 1 instead) from 8am to 11.30am. No need to pre-book. Adults R80 and children R40; all income used for maintenance and security at the Koppies.

in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Mid-week tours can be arranged. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za. Click here for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.

• Hikers and runners can visit Avianto in Muldersdrift again
Avianto Trails in Muldersdrift opened their gates again for hikers and runners. They offer a variety of trails, and all of them are pet-friendly too. Before visiting them, take note that tickets for the weekends are to be bought online but, if you visit them during the week you have to report to the reception to purchase a pass. All trails start at The Clubhouse on the Avianto Lifestyle Estate. Running and walking trails are ideal for a fantastic day out in the countryside. Approximately 5km of scenic routes offer a great exercise option, regardless of your level of fitness. Pets need to be on a leash, and remember the poop scoop. They are situated at Avianto Plot 69, Driefontein Road, Muldersdrift.

• Missing your weekly parkrun?
Sterkfontein Heritage Lodge, 1 Wolf Street, Rant-en-Dal, has the answer for you! If you have a parkrun barcode, you and your friends will be able to access the parkrun route for free. All you need to do is report to reception, show your barcode and you are good to go. All the owner asks of you is to support the restaurant after completing your route. For non-parkrunners and those who would like to visit the lodge for a hike or to cycle, the lodge is also open at a fee of R40 per person.

• Picnic at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden on Malcolm Road, Poortview will be open for picnics, bird watching and photography, walking, hiking and running. The restaurant, Sisulu Circle, children’s play area, garden gym and drinking fountains will also be open. If you wish to visit the Garden, remember to wear a mask, sanitize at the entrance and ensure social distancing. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online on the website to limit physical contact.

• Easter market at Coffee Cabin
The Coffee Cabin at 272 Voortrekker Road, Monument will be hosting an Easter Market on 13 March from 8am to 3pm. There will be clothes, sweet treats, jewellery, decor, head wraps, make-up, shoes and much more. Visit their Facebook page, @coffeecabinrenao for more information.

• Cedar Tree Craft Market
Head over to Khosa Sports Club, corner of Shannon Road and Frederick Cooper Drive, Kenmare on 14 and 28 March from 10am for their Craft Market. Browse through leather items, home-baked treats, handmade products, craft drinks, jewellery, plants, clothes, gifts, and kids’ entertainment while enjoying some live music. Entrance is free and pets on a leash are welcome. For more info, contact Chanelle on 081 500 6884 or westsidemarkets@gmail.com.

• Witpoortjie Community Market
The Witpoortjie Community Flea/ Farmer’s Market is at 27 Teenstra Street, Witpoortjie every Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm. Buying from the variety of stalls, including food, fresh produce, toys, clothing, jewellery, home and outdoor, and more, will help to empower small businesses. For more information, contact Roxanne on 084 207 6549.

• Westrand Marathon
As a way to commemorate Human Rights Day, Westrand Marathon will host a virtual race with ‘Running for your rights’ as its theme on Sunday, 21 March. This virtual run can be completed anywhere over either a 5km or 10km distance, and it is intended to be a memorable event which will celebrate the runners’ special accomplishments. There is a medal at the finish as well. The great thing about this virtual run is that runners also get to hone their training plans, running methods, race-day nutrition and hydration; all of which essentially help you to become a better runner. 

It works pretty much the same way as any other type of running event but the difference is that you can run at any location, especially in the comfort of your own home, on a treadmill at a gym of your choice, outside in your garden or neighbourhood, all at your own pace. They expect the athletes to take the necessary precautions and observe the relevant constraints of the national lockdown by adhering to social-distancing norms. The race will take place from 6am to 9am, and the entry fee is R50. This includes a free race pack with a T-shirt, cap and drawstring bag. Only online entries will be accepted and entries close on 17 March. All you have to do is visit the Westrand Marathon website and register.

You will then receive your race number and instructions on how to submit your results. Race packs can be collected on 18, 19 and 20 March from 9am to 3pm at 37 Kobie Krige Street, Krugersdorp. For enquiries, kindly contact Obakeng Pule on 011 660 2215 or 072 836 0879.

Remember to send notifications of your events to krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za.