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Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve River Walk Trail

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This monument to George Urton who passed away in 1950 and was one of the founders of the Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve, is to be found on the  River Walk trail. The 4 kilometre walk is suitable for intermediate and experienced walkers and follows the contour of the north-facing slope of a small tributary to the Van Stadens River.

The Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve, is a 500 hectare “floral wonderland” located 35km from Port Elizabeth on the N2 Highway.

The Longhair, Maternal Unit and I tackled the River Walk Trail on Women’s Day – Tuesday 9 August 2016.

But, we veered off of the beaten path and headed straight down to the river – manna for the soul as the water trickles through the gorge and all is quiet with that most satisfying forest mulch smell lying thickly on the valley bottom.

Spending an hour or two in this tranquil valley is highly recommended plus the walk back up is sure to get the heart racing after communing with nature.

Not one man made sound can be heard deep at the bottom of the valley as peace settles.

Back up at the parking area for the River Walk Trail a run down Traditional Xhosa hut is to be found.

Tradition requires that a fire be made in the morning and evening daily by women. It is believed that in making morning fires ancestral spirits are sent to the kraal and the evening fire invites these spirits to return to the hut.

The hut is divided into two distinct halves. To the left of the entrance is the male side and to the right the female. There are exceptions to this rule, however.

The Fathers chair is to be found to the left and will never be removed.

The indigenous people of the Eastern Cape believed that they could not directly talk to God and thus used their ancestors as intermediaries with God who is known as Umqamata.

Ancestor worship gave people a measure of security from spiritual danger, witchcraft and other forms of evil.

George Urton
George Urton
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.