With Talana Live fast approaching, Dundee is going to explode with visitor numbers again, yes? But local tour guides have expressed concern that the Helpmekaar road, adjacent to the Stratford farm settlement, could present several dangers to unsuspecting tour parties.
“Talana Live is an explosion of our spellbinding local history, of period dress, of culinary delights and sweet treats, beer and this year it seems, rugby too,” said battlefields guide, Johann Hamman.
“The tourist guides ought to be happy, as the odd battlefield tour or more, will hopefully commence, but there is a darker side to it.
“The Greytown road – next to the settlement known as Stratford farm – is now enveloped by a large settlement.
“Since several accidents were reported and some pedestrians – including children – tragically killed, the authorities have chosen to put in over 50 speed-bumps rather than actively enforce the speed limit.”
Mr Hamman said he had experiences of the local inhabitants stopping their vehicles at random spots on the road in a bid to stop passing cars.
“Tour guides have reported people trying to stop them over weekends, and even instances of people throwing objects at cars have been reported to us.
Tourist guides and visitors travelling over weekends should take note, and rather use the Nqutu, or possibly Vryheid roads, to return after a tour.”