Ten years ago when my peer-group matriculated, I was struck by the incongruity of everyone’s desire to “escape” Tzaneen – as if there were greener pastures to be found somewhere out there. I knew then what I know now: I unashamedly love this place!
And so, here I find myself: The last member of my family left in Tzaneen, the town where I grew up – and on my way out.
I still have many friends and connections here but let’s be honest – once I have left: There will no longer really be any reason to come back, even for a visit…
When will I next roll down my windows at the top of Magoebaskloof to breathe in that ‘home’ smell? Will I ever enjoy another ‘tjop-n-dop’ beside the Tzaneen Dam on a Saturday afternoon – or a dip in Debegeni’s ice-cold waters? Will I never again curse quietly to myself at the sheer bloody number of speed-bumps on Aqua Lane?
Growing up in this, Limpopo’s ‘fruit-basket’ (and let me tell you – some Tzaneeners really are more than a little fruity…), is the best experience anyone could have hoped for!
People who grew up in the city have often asked me: “But what do you do with yourself in a small town so far away from everything?”
It’s true – we don’t have a movie theatre, no ice-rinks, massive shopping malls or stadiums… not even a real airport to speak of!
My answer has always been that yes, we may not have all these luxuries/amenities etc. – so unfortunately we’re forced to develop personalities and interests!
What we do have is more than anyone could hope for.
Between the Wolkberg and Magoebaskloof we have some of the most breathtakingly beautiful mountain scenery in the world – soaring cliffs, shadowy forests, ice-cold streams and swift waterfalls, all hidden away amidst the lush greenery of indigenous woods and endless, echoing pine-forests.
There are even proteas that flower on top of the Wolkberg – flowers I’d been taught only grew in the Cape (if you’ve never looked down at the panorama of our little corner of paradise from the top of the Wolkberg – you’ve never lived!); and all this is criss-crossed by kilometres of scenic Rooikat hiking trails and dotted everywhere with hotels, B&B’s small restaurants and pubs (I’m going to miss you: Snyman’s Special pizza at The Pot and Plow!)
One of the things I have always loved most about Tzaneen is that while we live in a lush, green valley – it takes all of ten minutes to cross the threshold and lose yourself in the thick, thorny, khaki bushveld.
Whether it be a trip to the Kruger, a visit to any of the multitude of first-rate game-farms in the area, or just a day-trip to Hoedspruit or Swadini – we’ve got ‘bos’ in buckets!
Along its length the Letaba river provides dozens, if not hundreds, of picturesque lodges and the like that nestle against its flow, and let me tell you – few sights can compare to the glory of watching the African sun setting over the languidly rolling Letaba, with something cold in your hand and the companions of your youth all around you.
And wildlife? No-contest! Without even pushing for it I have, in my lifetime here in Tzaneen: hand-fed a seething mass of crocodiles, ridden along game-trails on top of an elephant, sat on a hippo’s broad back, handled vultures and fierce-eyed eagles, stroked a purring cheetah, run my hands through a lion’s bushy mane, gazed deep into a rhino’s eyes from a mere meter away, faced-down cheeky baboons (scary!) and monkeys, carried the bruise from a monitor lizard’s vicious tail, run screaming from a disgruntled bushpig (and they’re fast!) and caught, kept and released more kinds of snake than I could ever hope to count!
Who can forget the Tzaneen Dam either? Whether it’s fishing, skiing, tubing or just enjoying a sundowner-cruise on its glassy waters; we have all had a memorable moment (or three) by its quiet, contemplative waters.
I’ve always thought that the best way to get a measure of the people of Tzaneen, is to consider the town’s two predominant schools: Merensky and Ben Vorster. Being an old Plasie (my bloed is Blou!), I naturally have a slightly subjective view in this regard; but still, for a pair of schools drawing their student bodies from such a relatively small populace – we punch WAY above our weight!
Recall how often the Beeld Trophy is contested by one (or both!) of these schools, think of the Dale Steyn’s and Marchant de Lange’s…
Dale himself is considered one of the best, if not the best – fast bowler in the world; and he bowled his first ever ball as a grade 1 ‘lightie’ in Unicorn’s nets, going on to play most of his early cricket with Merensky (not to mention the years he spent skateboarding in Tzaneen’s streets – and Dale could skate!)
All this, meanwhile, represents just a very few of the myriad faces that our town has to offer… I haven’t even mentioned the many, many attractions that abound in Tzaneen and the surrounding areas – from Pekoe View and the Sunland Baobab, to The Coach House and Moholoholo etc. etc. (studiously avoiding late-night memories from Amigo’s, the erstwhile ‘kots-grot’ next to the library!)
Yes, I do want to get out and see a bit of the world – exploring other places as I explore myself; but I’ve always known that only one place on Earth could ever be ‘home.’
So, I’m leaving – and with me goes my family’s last living connection to this uniquely beautiful town in deepest, darkest Limpopo; but I can say without a doubt that I will be back one day, I’ll come home again for exactly that reason – this is home!
Farewell Tzaneen – till we meet again…
