There is a little station nearby, Agtertang, that featured in a story on Afrikaans Radio about fifty years ago. As for Norvalspont and the dam, I saw all the stages of the dam being built as a kid, from the coffer dams right up to the spillway overflowing the first time. My grandpa was a dam builder and we always had an interest in dam construction. He and his team helped build the Erfenis Dam, he built the Fernkloof Dam in Hermanus, he built each and every little round dam on the Overberg and he also installed the fresh water systems on Walker Bay, from Hermanus to Gansbaai and surrounds. Oupa Piet also was the visionary behind the Theewaterskloof Dam and was notified, on his death bed, that "Oom Piet, ons gaan jou dam bou" by State President elect Eben Donges (who died before he was inaugurated.) Some of my Dad's friends resigned as teachers and went on to work on the dam project; one relocated to Phillipolis while others went to live at Norvalspont, which is close to Gary Players horse ranch.
We just loved the name Agtertang, that is just such a cool name. We actually drove past the ranch and it is spectacular, but there was a hive of activity and we decide not to film. Very interesting info about your grandfather and his dam-building expertise. We saw a few dams on this trip and they left us in awe. They are truly feats of engineering and we're so proud that they're in South Africa. And even more amazing that some of them were built quite a long time ago! 👌🏻🚗
Can you perhaps remember the name of the story you refer to? I was a teenager then and might just remember listening to it if I know what the name was. Back then the radio was our form of entertainment.
Great video again, lovely roads you took, I love that you turned around and did the bridge again. Living life to the full and clearly enjoying it, good for you. I must add that its the first cemetary for a concentration camp I,ve ever seen. Clearly the british taught the germans how to treat the jews, shameful. Travel safely
Thank you, we just had to do the bridge again, it was just too spectacular for only one time. 🤩🌉 We're glad you enjoyed the gravel road, it was fun and remains one of our favourite things to do on our trips. The visit to the cemetery was so very sad for us. When we looked around, we could almost imagine the thousands of tents and especially little children suffering while so innocent. Super sad. 😥😥
Now that I had time to watch the video, thanks for the little detour to Agtertang, something I had last done in the early 1980's. Most people never heard the name, except for the series on radio. Very few know it actually exists. Yet another little outcrop bled to death by road transport, the general inefficiency of rail freight and a new economy. There are derelict castles all over the world, from ancient Scotland to alienated Boer War blockhouses. The visit the the concentration camp was very interesting. A film was made about Emily Hobhouse, titled "That Englishwoman." It is good that someone remembered her for her humanity. Sadly, the bad ones in this country get the most attention, people that deserve to be wiped from our collective memory. But Emily had character and she had a good heart. While others are famous for mere reputation, this lady had a solid character, a firm resolve and was not easily discouraged. One day, I would love to pick Sonia's brain, as I have a keen interest in the Anglese, their history and why they are always the people that mispronounce. I find that people from all over the world, say Japan, Russia, Finland, Rarotonga - all may pronounce names fairly similarly but the English alter names in a certain way. As that seems to be quite unique, I would loe to understand that from a linguistic perspective. How Munchen can become "mewnick" or Paraparaumu become "paraparam" - strangely, the names don't even end remotely similar to the original. Or Kgalagadi that became "kalahari." An English translations expert did give an explanation, but what she says sounded really silly. Our friends from Yorvik (Yorkshire) or Lampeter in Wales, showed the resemblance with even Afrikaans words, but the English always differ. I recently heard how a RUclipsr pronounced Anenous Pass and I almost spilt tea on the carpet. There seems to be a genetic difference, possibly, as there seems to be no natural inclination to understand how names work. The key to this may lie in history and geography, I suspect, but as a layman, I might not be able to figure this out on my own. My interest herein is purely technical, yet I try to cherry pick mo words so as to not offend any reader - as that is not my intent. I do have a very crude understanding of how Britain was invaded and populated, but that still doesn't explain the Anglese mispronunciation tendency. I even wonder if others ever notice it? I just know that an online service called Word Box really lost the plot. Sadly, they ignore any correction. In 1806, some 200 ships sailed into Simons Bay, and the informal Cape settlement was taken by force. It was yet another sad Napoleon/Hitler/Putin moment in history, something that would bring forth racial segregation (the Afrikaner just gave it a name but didn't invent it), loss of liberty (all had suffrage up til then, also freedom of speech and association) and a few ruthless lords suddenly ruled over the previously free people. My own Afrikaner tribe had to knock at the back door, we were told that we smelled, called donkeys for speaking our language, etc. The concentration camps were brutal, although Norvalspont was quite different. Kroonstad, Tempe and so many others were places of horror, where inmates were even fed ground glass. This was a proving ground for the Holocaust and the Gulag. Of course, Queen Victoria wasn't informed, and a few greedy and very corrupt lords became exceedingly rich. Suffice to say that it took 450,000 equipped soldiers a few years to subdue a citizen's force of as few as 16,000 men (mostly boys aged 11, 12 or so) and we can still learn a few lessons from their tenacity and resilience. After all, their ancestors already had endured some seventy years of military oppression in Europe, which explains why they could shoot so well. We Afrikaners sadly still get oppressed, as even in 1999, I wasn't allowed to speak my own language in my office in Cape Town. In the job market, there has always been discrimination and just a day or two ago, I read a very nasty comment made by an Englishman about we Afrikaners right here on RUclips. I wonder whether the haughty fool even knew that he was publishing hatre speech. The pronunciation thing: how did Deutsch become "German," or Nederlands was turned into "Dutch," or Deutshland's national dog became a "Great Dane?" Somewhere, confusion reigned amidst a lack of map reading skills. Jantjes became Yankees, a daalder became a dollar, etc.
What we know of Emily Hobhouse, she certainly did a lot of good during her time in South Africa. The cemetery was one of the most sombre experiences we've experienced on our travels thus far and we thought it important to include. 😥 Sonia says I must tell you that her Afrikaans tongue struggles very often with the English language. I think she does just fine though. As someone who often mispronounces words myself, I don't pay too much attention to that. Language is just not my cup of tea in a big way, as long as I can get my message across and don't deviate too much from the correct pronunciation. Accents fascinate me endlessly again, we all speak the same language, but it sounds different, depending on where you come from, whether it be regionally, nationally or internationally. You're indeed a deep thinker and we always appreciate your insightful comments. 👌🏻
Wow! Thanks for the historical background. This is so interesting. Americans also mispronounce English. Hostile, Uranus, clerk, etc. Anenous....bwaahaahaah! Ek kan net verbeel! I agree that oppression and now genocide of Afrikaner people is very real and totally unrecognised by the world .
Vryyyystaaaaat!!!! Wooohooo! Oh gosh, what a beautiful sky at Joubert siding. Thats a painting. Agtertang...Bwaahaahaaah! Back in 1974 I did a school history project on Emily Hobhouse. that June we all went up and visited concentration camps and memorials to Emily and the Boer war. I was only 14 and really shocked at the horrific stuff that went on. And Emily became my shining star! Do you know, she would strip off her underskirts and give them to the girls who had no skirt. Beautiful bridge, we did this a few times coming from Eastern Cape
Back in the Free State at long last! Thank you for your humour, we love it! 🤣 I hope the painting of the Joubert siding scene comes out fantastic, I can only imagine it will. Agtertang deserves one too though, even if just for the name. Yes, we learnt quite a bit about Emily Hobhouse during this trip and we admire her for all the good that she did. I didn't know about the underskirts, that kind of says it all. Thank you for watching, as always, from so far away in NZ! 🤩🚗
Thank-you for showcasing the Concentration Camp and I fully agree that more effort should be made into its restoration and I might add its accessibility for all to see this page of our country's history and the inhumanity and suffering that took place. The area surrounding Norvalspont offers stunning scenery, however the town itself seems to need to some restoration too. Hopefully the hotel will attract more investment and tourism. Congratulations on your 5000 + subs 👏
Our visit to the cemetery still haunts us, it filled us with so much sadness. What gets to me, is that it was all so unnecessary in my view. We just had to include it in our video, those lives lost have to be honoured and remembered and their deaths may never be in vain. 😥😥 On a happier note, if I remember correctly, you've been travelling with us from almost the start of our channel. We would like you to know how we appreciate you still joining us on every journey and always making our day with your comments. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in many more places. 🤩🚗
I would also like to thank you for "taking" us to the Concentration Camp, which was a very sad and somber visit, but both of your comments were so full of humility and respect that clearly shows what amazing human beings you both are. The music you played during the video was absolutely beautiful and got me so emotional. Thank you so much !
Thank you for your kind comment. 😊 We're not often quiet, but this cemetery really had a big impact on us and we just sat in the car for a few minutes before we could leave. It's sad, period. There is just no other way to describe it. We appreciate you coming along with us to honour those lost lives.
I came across your videos “by accident” (I don’t believe in accidents), and I must say that I am really enjoying it. I am at the point in my life where I need to scale down as I lost my wife tragically. And then your trip to Bethulie really inspired me to look at small towns all over SA. Than you for sharing your road trips.
Hello and welcome, we're so happy you've jumped on board! The small towns and lesser-known places are an absolute joy to visit and explore and every single one of them has something special to offer. Until you perhaps decide to hit the road yourself, we have over 200 videos to keep you busy. 😁 We so appreciate your comment too. 👌🏻🚗
You're quite welcome! Next time you're in the Norvalspont area, pay the cemetery a visit, it deserves more visitors to pay tribute to the many lives lost. 😥 I hope you enjoyed our video of your hometown too. If you haven't seen it yet, it's Episode 200. And today we uploaded Episode 202 of the Gariep Dam. Enjoy! 🚗😁
Hello i am so excited to see you guys are back on gravel roads. i learn a lot from your videos about each town you explore :) Keep up the good work with these videos.
Thank you so much! Gravel roads will always be our first love and we'll travel on them whenever we get the opportunity and when the condition allows it. So happy that you enjoy them too! 🤩🚗
Great that you spend time on the old rail infrastructure which, in the past was the backbone of the economy in South Africa. A short and concise explanation of the railways' function can be explained in three parts, rail traffic control, passenger and parcel/goods transport. In your dust bug commentary, you show the passenger platforms and building on the platform. This served passengers and the building selling train (fare) tickets and, most important safe rail traffic control between stations, The large sheds were for loading/offloading of goods (commonly known as good sheds). Agtertang refers to the braking structure of a wagon. This was a fully-fledged station and not a 'siding'. The sidings were there to pick up farmers and workers to take to town and in some cases to allow trains to pass each other. The blockhouse was restored and made part of a homestead with a garden down to the river, sorry you missed that. The present rail bridge was built after the war and is still in use.
Thank you for the very interesting info about the rail system and the origin of the name 'Agtertang'. Just when we thought we had station versus siding figured out! 🤣 We would've loved to see the blockhouse residence, we'll definitely look out for that when we're in the area again. Those two bridges were reward enough though, they're awesome! 👌🏻🌉
Memories again...Somewhere in the early seventies me and my late wife went to visit some of her family in Colesberg where she heard that a nephew of hers was the station master at Agtertang. I remembered also that in my childhood years my parents listened to "Agtertang se mense" on the radio but what it was about I do not know. So off we went to Agtertang station to meet her nephew. I also remember there was a small building on the station that housed the railway signals....quite a few of them in a row. .And thanx for showing us that Concentration camp and the cemetery...so so sad. More effort should really be made iro accessibility and restoration.
What an interesting anecdote about the Agtertang station, we appreciate you sharing that with us. Sonia was endlessly fascinated by the name, we didn't even know about the story on the radio until today. And we thought it was a siding and not a station! 😁 There was clearly evidence of a few buildings, so it all makes sense now. The concentration camp, on the contrary, was a very sad experience for us. 😥😥 I fully agree on both points of restoration and accessibility, most people won't even know it's there since there are no signposts. Luckily it's pinpointed on Google Maps, otherwise we wouldn't have known where to go either.
In about 1971 I and my family were on our way from Cape Town to Bloemfontein to attend a function. I was still in my teens. At that time the N1 went from Colesberg to Philippolis to Bloemfontein. But my dad said there's a new road to Bloemfontein, so we went out to Norvalspont and crossed the Orange River there on this bridge in the video. Then about 10km on the other side we turned onto a brand new wide road that is the current N1 today. But at that time it did not cross the Orange River to Colesberg. Memories....wow.
Oh how the train dirvers must have loved steaming around the koppies, through the veldt, seeing the wild animals and the stunning scenery. The visit to the concentration camp was sad. There is another equally poingnant cemetary on the outskirts of Winberg. Worth a look.
Norvalspont Hotel has(had) a lekker bar. The Auntie at the Hotel(previous owners ??) made a lekker lunch/supper....all the lekker vleis & groente, fantastic !
I think it might have been the previous owners, hopefully soon it'll be fully-operational again! There were a few jolly patrons in the bar at the time of my visit and that's always a good sign. Cheers! 😁🍻
Hi you two! I was "of the grid" for a week or so, now chasing you to catch up on some great gravel and mud roads. Thank you for another interesting historical trip albeit somewhat sad in parts. But we can't undo history can we? I see some of the other travelers also remember the radio series "Agtertang se Mense". But that is also all that I know of it. Keep safe!
Welcome back, we missed you! Glad you're catching up though! 🤩 Our visit to Norvalspont was really sad in part, that cemetery had a really deep impact on the both of us. But you're right, what's done is done. Hopefully humankind one day realises that lives are way more valuable than power. 😢 It was interesting to hear about 'Agtertang se Mense'. We've never heard about it, but I would've listened to it just for the name! 😁🚗
My Great-Gran, Emma McCann (born Emma Shelley) married an Irishman Charles Joseph McCann, who fought for the boers. (I remember in one of the towns you visited there was a memorial to the Irish who fought for the boers). She was still very young but was taken to the Concentration Camp in (or near?) Kimberley. She told us stories about being transported in cattle trains and so on. She lost two children very young, but I'm not sure whether in the Camp or not. She and her husband got together again after the war and had 13 children in all. She may have only been 5 feet nothing in height, but what a great lady - lived well into her 90s and died peacefully in her bed..
Thank you for sharing that very special info about your Great-Gran. They sure were brave in those days and under the most dire circumstances. 😨 How amazing that she was reunited with her husband after the war. A love story that was just meant to be! 😍 The monument to recognise the Irish is in Orania. I'm also of Irish descent, so that was quite special to see! 🚙🏛️
Agtertang is a part of a oxwagon (kakebeenwa voortrekkers) that connects the disselboom that attaches to the tack (harness) that fits on the oxen that pull the wagon. It is situated underneath the wagon and is attached to the rear axle of the wagon.
A town that has eluded me on my travels but remains on my bucket list, close to my favourite river and dam. Amongst my current reading is the Anglo-Boer War. Appreciated the piece of the concentration camp's cemetery. The deaths of so many women and children...profoundly tragic. Agreed, spectacular bridge and good info on the 3 provincial borders converging in the river. Good stuff!
I can't explain to you the impact that the concentration camp cemetery had on the two of us. Each one of those names signifies a life that was so sadly lost. 😢 You need to visit this area, not only for the cemetery. That bridge! 🤩🌁
Wow how sad the concentration camp and cementry one cant believe that supposed humans could inflect such horror on others. Just loved that long bridge it is amazing. Thank you for all the effect you both put into finding all these hidden gems.
The cemetery fills us with sadness too, especially when one thinks of how many innocent lives were lost. 😥 We were super excited about those two bridges, we had to drive over twice, no three times! 🌉😍
We were, it was fantastic! 🤩 I'm so happy that you're excited with us, despite us not quite getting to your destination of choice just yet. I hope you will travel along with us until we reach Prieska (and beyond), which we hope will not be in the too distant future. 😁🚗
Thank you so much for watching! We had a great time in Steynsburg, there is a lot of potential in that town and some fantastic old buildings. I'm glad our video brought back some good memories of your hometown. 😊🚗
I would imagine that might have been when the hotel was between owners. The bar was open on the day I was there, so you should pop in again when you're in the area. Hopefully they'll be able to serve you a cold one then! 😁🍻
An episode rich in history as always. I really enjoyed it. Look at that lonely goodshed at Agtertang. Can someone please inform us why that staion was named Agtertang? I know of a civil engineer who might help. Safe travel you two and keep up with it!
We're glad you enjoyed this episode, it was a very enligtening experience visiting Norvalspont. Another viewer said 'agtertang refers to the braking structure of a wagon' and yet another said the station was located on the farm Agtertang. We still think it's a fascinating name! 🚗🚆
This is my latest favorite in addition to Carnavon, Klipplat, Loxton, Graf Reinet and of course my Tarkarsdt these i watch over and over. I didn't enjoy the EC coast though because i dont like too much green I just love the karroo with its open plains and its hills
We understand that and are so happy that you enjoyed this episode and have a few other favourites too! You're in for a treat with the rest of the episodes of this particular trip of ours. We look forward to your thoughts on those and we really hope you enjoy them too! Lots of open plains to look forward to! 😁🚗
@@DustBugsTravel indeed i wish i can visit some one day using the knowledge i get from your videos i also wish that you can do a place called VanZylsrus i would love to learn more about that place because nobody talks about it
Thanks guys for a very interesting and educational video the sad memorial should be looked in to by a historical trust govt??? I the UK this not taught in schools but I knew because I lived in South Africa 6 years in the 70s I loved the hotel as you said imagine it like Charles hotel the Bridge where 3 states meet superb video all round cheerio till the next one
It was a sombre moment for us visiting the concentration camp cemetery, but it's so important to tell the story in memory of those who lost their lives. 😥 We really hope that the local government organises a cleanup of the cemetery, it deserves to be maintained. On a happier note, we loved the bridge, it was absolutely stunning! 🌉😍
Yes, indeed. 😥 We visited the cemetery in Bethulie the next day and it's very different from the one at Norvalspont. That video will go live in a few days' time.
Thank you for this video. I would just like to say that my Grandmother survived the concentration camp when she was a little girl not withstanding the fact that broken glass was put into their food. This was one of the lowest dirtiest acts of the British . Conditions were abysmal lest anyone forget the shocking treatment of our women and children
And thank you for sharing your Grandmother's story. How wonderful that she survived. 😊 It was a very sad experience for us visiting this cemetery, especially seeing all the names of the children who passed away. 😥😥
Greetings to you in Wales! Thank you so much, it's great to hear you enjoy our videos! 😊 Fortunately one can see the other side of the bridge as one enters, so one would do a visual check just before going on to the bridge. Whicever vehicle is first, will complete the journey, while the other one waits until the bridge is clear. So basically, first come, first served. 😁 Single-lane bridges are such exciting things, we just love them! 🚗🌁
Hello, I’ve just discovered your videos - very interesting perspectives on the little places! There always seem to be nobody around on the ones I’ve watched so far - did you make it to little Oviston at all? Nearby there and on the Gariep Dam? Thank you ☺️
Hello to you and welcome to our channel! 😊 We're glad to hear that you're enjoying travelling to the smaller towns and places with us. We didn't make it to Oviston this time around since we were mainly exporing the southern part of the Free State during this specific trip and headed to Springfontein when we left Gariep Dam. We will most certainly visit Oviston on a future trip to the Eastern Cape since I believe there are also magnificent views of the Gariep Dam from there. 🌊🤩 Because we visit the smaller places for the most part, they're overall much quieter than the bigger ones. You'll definitely see people in them, in some more than most. In Norvalspont, for example, which is this video you commented on, there were indeed very few people around. I don't think many people live there to begin with to be honest. We hope you'll tag along to many more places with us, it will be fun having you on the backseat! 😁🚗
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! We enjoy your videos, they’re unique & intriguing to watch! We look forward to seeing one on Oviston possibly one day in the future 😃 Blessings
I am of Afrikaans decent, and my own great grandmother buried two toddlers at the Weenen camp in Bloemfontein.However, she always spoke of the gentkemanly conduct of the officers. At a time when black people were treated as little more than beasts if burden, it is well to note that instead of the estimated 23000 Boers who died in these camps, at least double this amount perished in camps set aside for black people swept
... Continuing from previous comment, black people swept up in the conflict. Yet they are little remembered.War often starts with greed, and the Boer war war no exception, and, also, the most vulneralble suffer the most.
There is a little station nearby, Agtertang, that featured in a story on Afrikaans Radio about fifty years ago. As for Norvalspont and the dam, I saw all the stages of the dam being built as a kid, from the coffer dams right up to the spillway overflowing the first time. My grandpa was a dam builder and we always had an interest in dam construction. He and his team helped build the Erfenis Dam, he built the Fernkloof Dam in Hermanus, he built each and every little round dam on the Overberg and he also installed the fresh water systems on Walker Bay, from Hermanus to Gansbaai and surrounds. Oupa Piet also was the visionary behind the Theewaterskloof Dam and was notified, on his death bed, that "Oom Piet, ons gaan jou dam bou" by State President elect Eben Donges (who died before he was inaugurated.) Some of my Dad's friends resigned as teachers and went on to work on the dam project; one relocated to Phillipolis while others went to live at Norvalspont, which is close to Gary Players horse ranch.
What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing it!
We just loved the name Agtertang, that is just such a cool name. We actually drove past the ranch and it is spectacular, but there was a hive of activity and we decide not to film. Very interesting info about your grandfather and his dam-building expertise. We saw a few dams on this trip and they left us in awe. They are truly feats of engineering and we're so proud that they're in South Africa. And even more amazing that some of them were built quite a long time ago! 👌🏻🚗
Can you perhaps remember the name of the story you refer to? I was a teenager then and might just remember listening to it if I know what the name was. Back then the radio was our form of entertainment.
@@sandragrobler2957 I believe it was called 'Agtertang se Mense', but not 100% sure. I recall one viewer mentioning that name in a comment. 👌🏻
@@DustBugsTravelGreat! Thank you for your reply.
Great video again, lovely roads you took, I love that you turned around and did the bridge again. Living life to the full and clearly enjoying it, good for you. I must add that its the first cemetary for a concentration camp I,ve ever seen. Clearly the british taught the germans how to treat the jews, shameful. Travel safely
Thank you, we just had to do the bridge again, it was just too spectacular for only one time. 🤩🌉 We're glad you enjoyed the gravel road, it was fun and remains one of our favourite things to do on our trips. The visit to the cemetery was so very sad for us. When we looked around, we could almost imagine the thousands of tents and especially little children suffering while so innocent. Super sad. 😥😥
Now that I had time to watch the video, thanks for the little detour to Agtertang, something I had last done in the early 1980's. Most people never heard the name, except for the series on radio. Very few know it actually exists. Yet another little outcrop bled to death by road transport, the general inefficiency of rail freight and a new economy. There are derelict castles all over the world, from ancient Scotland to alienated Boer War blockhouses.
The visit the the concentration camp was very interesting. A film was made about Emily Hobhouse, titled "That Englishwoman." It is good that someone remembered her for her humanity. Sadly, the bad ones in this country get the most attention, people that deserve to be wiped from our collective memory. But Emily had character and she had a good heart. While others are famous for mere reputation, this lady had a solid character, a firm resolve and was not easily discouraged.
One day, I would love to pick Sonia's brain, as I have a keen interest in the Anglese, their history and why they are always the people that mispronounce. I find that people from all over the world, say Japan, Russia, Finland, Rarotonga - all may pronounce names fairly similarly but the English alter names in a certain way. As that seems to be quite unique, I would loe to understand that from a linguistic perspective. How Munchen can become "mewnick" or Paraparaumu become "paraparam" - strangely, the names don't even end remotely similar to the original. Or Kgalagadi that became "kalahari." An English translations expert did give an explanation, but what she says sounded really silly. Our friends from Yorvik (Yorkshire) or Lampeter in Wales, showed the resemblance with even Afrikaans words, but the English always differ. I recently heard how a RUclipsr pronounced Anenous Pass and I almost spilt tea on the carpet. There seems to be a genetic difference, possibly, as there seems to be no natural inclination to understand how names work. The key to this may lie in history and geography, I suspect, but as a layman, I might not be able to figure this out on my own. My interest herein is purely technical, yet I try to cherry pick mo words so as to not offend any reader - as that is not my intent. I do have a very crude understanding of how Britain was invaded and populated, but that still doesn't explain the Anglese mispronunciation tendency. I even wonder if others ever notice it? I just know that an online service called Word Box really lost the plot. Sadly, they ignore any correction.
In 1806, some 200 ships sailed into Simons Bay, and the informal Cape settlement was taken by force. It was yet another sad Napoleon/Hitler/Putin moment in history, something that would bring forth racial segregation (the Afrikaner just gave it a name but didn't invent it), loss of liberty (all had suffrage up til then, also freedom of speech and association) and a few ruthless lords suddenly ruled over the previously free people. My own Afrikaner tribe had to knock at the back door, we were told that we smelled, called donkeys for speaking our language, etc. The concentration camps were brutal, although Norvalspont was quite different. Kroonstad, Tempe and so many others were places of horror, where inmates were even fed ground glass. This was a proving ground for the Holocaust and the Gulag. Of course, Queen Victoria wasn't informed, and a few greedy and very corrupt lords became exceedingly rich. Suffice to say that it took 450,000 equipped soldiers a few years to subdue a citizen's force of as few as 16,000 men (mostly boys aged 11, 12 or so) and we can still learn a few lessons from their tenacity and resilience. After all, their ancestors already had endured some seventy years of military oppression in Europe, which explains why they could shoot so well.
We Afrikaners sadly still get oppressed, as even in 1999, I wasn't allowed to speak my own language in my office in Cape Town. In the job market, there has always been discrimination and just a day or two ago, I read a very nasty comment made by an Englishman about we Afrikaners right here on RUclips. I wonder whether the haughty fool even knew that he was publishing hatre speech.
The pronunciation thing: how did Deutsch become "German," or Nederlands was turned into "Dutch," or Deutshland's national dog became a "Great Dane?" Somewhere, confusion reigned amidst a lack of map reading skills. Jantjes became Yankees, a daalder became a dollar, etc.
What we know of Emily Hobhouse, she certainly did a lot of good during her time in South Africa. The cemetery was one of the most sombre experiences we've experienced on our travels thus far and we thought it important to include. 😥 Sonia says I must tell you that her Afrikaans tongue struggles very often with the English language. I think she does just fine though. As someone who often mispronounces words myself, I don't pay too much attention to that. Language is just not my cup of tea in a big way, as long as I can get my message across and don't deviate too much from the correct pronunciation. Accents fascinate me endlessly again, we all speak the same language, but it sounds different, depending on where you come from, whether it be regionally, nationally or internationally. You're indeed a deep thinker and we always appreciate your insightful comments. 👌🏻
Wow! Thanks for the historical background. This is so interesting. Americans also mispronounce English. Hostile, Uranus, clerk, etc. Anenous....bwaahaahaah! Ek kan net verbeel! I agree that oppression and now genocide of Afrikaner people is very real and totally unrecognised by the world .
Vryyyystaaaaat!!!! Wooohooo! Oh gosh, what a beautiful sky at Joubert siding. Thats a painting. Agtertang...Bwaahaahaaah! Back in 1974 I did a school history project on Emily Hobhouse. that June we all went up and visited concentration camps and memorials to Emily and the Boer war. I was only 14 and really shocked at the horrific stuff that went on. And Emily became my shining star! Do you know, she would strip off her underskirts and give them to the girls who had no skirt. Beautiful bridge, we did this a few times coming from Eastern Cape
@ Anna Witter
Yet another informative comment - so love this community of DustBug subscribers 😁
Back in the Free State at long last! Thank you for your humour, we love it! 🤣 I hope the painting of the Joubert siding scene comes out fantastic, I can only imagine it will. Agtertang deserves one too though, even if just for the name. Yes, we learnt quite a bit about Emily Hobhouse during this trip and we admire her for all the good that she did. I didn't know about the underskirts, that kind of says it all. Thank you for watching, as always, from so far away in NZ! 🤩🚗
@@desh7120 yes we have become family
Thank-you for showcasing the Concentration Camp and I fully agree that more effort should be made into its restoration and I might add its accessibility for all to see this page of our country's history and the inhumanity and suffering that took place. The area surrounding Norvalspont offers stunning scenery, however the town itself seems to need to some restoration too. Hopefully the hotel will attract more investment and tourism. Congratulations on your 5000 + subs 👏
Our visit to the cemetery still haunts us, it filled us with so much sadness. What gets to me, is that it was all so unnecessary in my view. We just had to include it in our video, those lives lost have to be honoured and remembered and their deaths may never be in vain. 😥😥 On a happier note, if I remember correctly, you've been travelling with us from almost the start of our channel. We would like you to know how we appreciate you still joining us on every journey and always making our day with your comments. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in many more places. 🤩🚗
I would also like to thank you for "taking" us to the Concentration Camp, which was a very sad and somber visit, but both of your comments were so full of humility and respect that clearly shows what amazing human beings you both are. The music you played during the video was absolutely beautiful and got me so emotional. Thank you so much !
Thank you for your kind comment. 😊 We're not often quiet, but this cemetery really had a big impact on us and we just sat in the car for a few minutes before we could leave. It's sad, period. There is just no other way to describe it. We appreciate you coming along with us to honour those lost lives.
I came across your videos “by accident” (I don’t believe in accidents), and I must say that I am really enjoying it. I am at the point in my life where I need to scale down as I lost my wife tragically. And then your trip to Bethulie really inspired me to look at small towns all over SA. Than you for sharing your road trips.
Hello and welcome, we're so happy you've jumped on board! The small towns and lesser-known places are an absolute joy to visit and explore and every single one of them has something special to offer. Until you perhaps decide to hit the road yourself, we have over 200 videos to keep you busy. 😁 We so appreciate your comment too. 👌🏻🚗
I am from Colesberg. I frequent Norvalspont / Gariep but I did not know of this part of history. The concentration camp. Dankie
You're quite welcome! Next time you're in the Norvalspont area, pay the cemetery a visit, it deserves more visitors to pay tribute to the many lives lost. 😥 I hope you enjoyed our video of your hometown too. If you haven't seen it yet, it's Episode 200. And today we uploaded Episode 202 of the Gariep Dam. Enjoy! 🚗😁
Hello i am so excited to see you guys are back on gravel roads.
i learn a lot from your videos about each town you explore :)
Keep up the good work with these videos.
Thank you so much! Gravel roads will always be our first love and we'll travel on them whenever we get the opportunity and when the condition allows it. So happy that you enjoy them too! 🤩🚗
Great that you spend time on the old rail infrastructure which, in the past was the backbone of the economy in South Africa. A short and concise explanation of the railways' function can be explained in three parts, rail traffic control, passenger and parcel/goods transport. In your dust bug commentary, you show the passenger platforms and building on the platform. This served passengers and the building selling train (fare) tickets and, most important safe rail traffic control between stations, The large sheds were for loading/offloading of goods (commonly known as good sheds).
Agtertang refers to the braking structure of a wagon. This was a fully-fledged station and not a 'siding'. The sidings were there to pick up farmers and workers to take to town and in some cases to allow trains to pass each other.
The blockhouse was restored and made part of a homestead with a garden down to the river, sorry you missed that.
The present rail bridge was built after the war and is still in use.
@ Brian van Niekerk
What an informative comment for which I thank you most heartily.
Thank you for the very interesting info about the rail system and the origin of the name 'Agtertang'. Just when we thought we had station versus siding figured out! 🤣 We would've loved to see the blockhouse residence, we'll definitely look out for that when we're in the area again. Those two bridges were reward enough though, they're awesome! 👌🏻🌉
Memories again...Somewhere in the early seventies me and my late wife went to visit some of her family in Colesberg where she heard that a nephew of hers was the station master at Agtertang. I remembered also that in my childhood years my parents listened to "Agtertang se mense" on the radio but what it was about I do not know. So off we went to Agtertang station to meet her nephew. I also remember there was a small building on the station that housed the railway signals....quite a few of them in a row. .And thanx for showing us that Concentration camp and the cemetery...so so sad. More effort should really be made iro accessibility and restoration.
What an interesting anecdote about the Agtertang station, we appreciate you sharing that with us. Sonia was endlessly fascinated by the name, we didn't even know about the story on the radio until today. And we thought it was a siding and not a station! 😁 There was clearly evidence of a few buildings, so it all makes sense now. The concentration camp, on the contrary, was a very sad experience for us. 😥😥 I fully agree on both points of restoration and accessibility, most people won't even know it's there since there are no signposts. Luckily it's pinpointed on Google Maps, otherwise we wouldn't have known where to go either.
In about 1971 I and my family were on our way from Cape Town to Bloemfontein to attend a function. I was still in my teens. At that time the N1 went from Colesberg to Philippolis to Bloemfontein. But my dad said there's a new road to Bloemfontein, so we went out to Norvalspont and crossed the Orange River there on this bridge in the video. Then about 10km on the other side we turned onto a brand new wide road that is the current N1 today. But at that time it did not cross the Orange River to Colesberg. Memories....wow.
Oh how the train dirvers must have loved steaming around the koppies, through the veldt, seeing the wild animals and the stunning scenery. The visit to the concentration camp was sad. There is another equally poingnant cemetary on the outskirts of Winberg. Worth a look.
That was some amazing cloud formation.🙃🙏👍
Norvalspont Hotel has(had) a lekker bar. The Auntie at the Hotel(previous owners ??) made a lekker lunch/supper....all the lekker vleis & groente, fantastic !
I think it might have been the previous owners, hopefully soon it'll be fully-operational again! There were a few jolly patrons in the bar at the time of my visit and that's always a good sign. Cheers! 😁🍻
That bridge 🌉 is Epic 💓
I think you know this by now, but we agree!! 🤩🌉
Hi you two! I was "of the grid" for a week or so, now chasing you to catch up on some great gravel and mud roads.
Thank you for another interesting historical trip albeit somewhat sad in parts. But we can't undo history can we?
I see some of the other travelers also remember the radio series "Agtertang se Mense". But that is also all that I know of it.
Keep safe!
Welcome back, we missed you! Glad you're catching up though! 🤩 Our visit to Norvalspont was really sad in part, that cemetery had a really deep impact on the both of us. But you're right, what's done is done. Hopefully humankind one day realises that lives are way more valuable than power. 😢 It was interesting to hear about 'Agtertang se Mense'. We've never heard about it, but I would've listened to it just for the name! 😁🚗
The bridge! Simply Wow😍😍
Now you'll understand why we just had to drive back-and-forth on the bridge, we loved it! 🚗🌁
My Great-Gran, Emma McCann (born Emma Shelley) married an Irishman Charles Joseph McCann, who fought for the boers. (I remember in one of the towns you visited there was a memorial to the Irish who fought for the boers). She was still very young but was taken to the Concentration Camp in (or near?) Kimberley. She told us stories about being transported in cattle trains and so on. She lost two children very young, but I'm not sure whether in the Camp or not. She and her husband got together again after the war and had 13 children in all. She may have only been 5 feet nothing in height, but what a great lady - lived well into her 90s and died peacefully in her bed..
Thank you for sharing that very special info about your Great-Gran. They sure were brave in those days and under the most dire circumstances. 😨 How amazing that she was reunited with her husband after the war. A love story that was just meant to be! 😍 The monument to recognise the Irish is in Orania. I'm also of Irish descent, so that was quite special to see! 🚙🏛️
Agtertang is a part of a oxwagon (kakebeenwa voortrekkers) that connects the disselboom that attaches to the tack (harness) that fits on the oxen that pull the wagon. It is situated underneath the wagon and is attached to the rear axle of the wagon.
Thank you so much, we appreciate that info! 👌🏻🚗
Omg! The views are something else👌👍😍
The views, the bridge, actually that whole place is something else! This was a special visit for us and a somewhat emotional one too. 😏
A town that has eluded me on my travels but remains on my bucket list, close to my favourite river and dam. Amongst my current reading is the Anglo-Boer War. Appreciated the piece of the concentration camp's cemetery. The deaths of so many women and children...profoundly tragic. Agreed, spectacular bridge and good info on the 3 provincial borders converging in the river. Good stuff!
I can't explain to you the impact that the concentration camp cemetery had on the two of us. Each one of those names signifies a life that was so sadly lost. 😢 You need to visit this area, not only for the cemetery. That bridge! 🤩🌁
Wow how sad the concentration camp and cementry one cant believe that supposed humans could inflect such horror on others. Just loved that long bridge it is amazing. Thank you for all the effect you both put into finding all these hidden gems.
The cemetery fills us with sadness too, especially when one thinks of how many innocent lives were lost. 😥 We were super excited about those two bridges, we had to drive over twice, no three times! 🌉😍
Thanks, God Bless
Much appreciated, thank you. 😊
Oh boy i wish i was in that car with you when you crossed that bridge.....i could hear how excited you sounded about it :)
We were, it was fantastic! 🤩 I'm so happy that you're excited with us, despite us not quite getting to your destination of choice just yet. I hope you will travel along with us until we reach Prieska (and beyond), which we hope will not be in the too distant future. 😁🚗
@@DustBugsTravel i will travel with you until infinity 😅
Love your show. Coming from Steynsburg your video certainly made me homesick.
Thank you so much for watching! We had a great time in Steynsburg, there is a lot of potential in that town and some fantastic old buildings. I'm glad our video brought back some good memories of your hometown. 😊🚗
Norvalspoort Bar was closed when I rode my bike through there about 2 years ago
I would imagine that might have been when the hotel was between owners. The bar was open on the day I was there, so you should pop in again when you're in the area. Hopefully they'll be able to serve you a cold one then! 😁🍻
An episode rich in history as always. I really enjoyed it. Look at that lonely goodshed at Agtertang. Can someone please inform us why that staion was named Agtertang? I know of a civil engineer who might help. Safe travel you two and keep up with it!
We're glad you enjoyed this episode, it was a very enligtening experience visiting Norvalspont. Another viewer said 'agtertang refers to the braking structure of a wagon' and yet another said the station was located on the farm Agtertang. We still think it's a fascinating name! 🚗🚆
This is my latest favorite in addition to Carnavon, Klipplat, Loxton, Graf Reinet and of course my Tarkarsdt these i watch over and over. I didn't enjoy the EC coast though because i dont like too much green I just love the karroo with its open plains and its hills
We understand that and are so happy that you enjoyed this episode and have a few other favourites too! You're in for a treat with the rest of the episodes of this particular trip of ours. We look forward to your thoughts on those and we really hope you enjoy them too! Lots of open plains to look forward to! 😁🚗
@@DustBugsTravel indeed i wish i can visit some one day using the knowledge i get from your videos i also wish that you can do a place called VanZylsrus i would love to learn more about that place because nobody talks about it
We haven't been that far North yet, but hope to include that area in a future visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. 🤩🚗
Thanks guys for a very interesting and educational video the sad memorial should be looked in to by a historical trust govt??? I the UK this not taught in schools but I knew because I lived in South Africa 6 years in the 70s I loved the hotel as you said imagine it like Charles hotel the Bridge where 3 states meet superb video all round cheerio till the next one
It was a sombre moment for us visiting the concentration camp cemetery, but it's so important to tell the story in memory of those who lost their lives. 😥 We really hope that the local government organises a cleanup of the cemetery, it deserves to be maintained. On a happier note, we loved the bridge, it was absolutely stunning! 🌉😍
Interesting that there was a concentration camp on what is now the eastern and western side of the Gariep Dam. (Bethulie/Norvalspont)
Yes, indeed. 😥 We visited the cemetery in Bethulie the next day and it's very different from the one at Norvalspont. That video will go live in a few days' time.
The "Angel of love", Emily Hobhouse mentioned in her memoirs that Norvalspont was the most well established camp ........
That's interesting to know, we believe there was even a school. Such overwhelming sadness though. 😥😥
❤
😊🚗
Hi I'm originally from Colesberg but Agtertang is my mother's birth place
Hello there! How interesting that your mom was there! It's a part of our country with a very rich history. Thank you for watching! 😁🚗
Thank you for this video. I would just like to say that my Grandmother survived the concentration camp when she was a little girl not withstanding the fact that broken glass was put into their food. This was one of the lowest dirtiest acts of the British . Conditions were abysmal lest anyone forget the shocking treatment of our women and children
And thank you for sharing your Grandmother's story. How wonderful that she survived. 😊 It was a very sad experience for us visiting this cemetery, especially seeing all the names of the children who passed away. 😥😥
The broken glass in the food has NEVER been proven Ben
It might never have been proven. However I hardly think that my 99year old grandmother would have lied to me. Sorry, I refute your "prove" statement
Hi from Wales, uk . How I enjoy your trips . What happens on that bridge when you meet traffic coming towards you …. As there’s no traffic lights ??
Greetings to you in Wales! Thank you so much, it's great to hear you enjoy our videos! 😊 Fortunately one can see the other side of the bridge as one enters, so one would do a visual check just before going on to the bridge. Whicever vehicle is first, will complete the journey, while the other one waits until the bridge is clear. So basically, first come, first served. 😁 Single-lane bridges are such exciting things, we just love them! 🚗🌁
Hello, I’ve just discovered your videos - very interesting perspectives on the little places! There always seem to be nobody around on the ones I’ve watched so far - did you make it to little Oviston at all? Nearby there and on the Gariep Dam? Thank you ☺️
Hello to you and welcome to our channel! 😊 We're glad to hear that you're enjoying travelling to the smaller towns and places with us. We didn't make it to Oviston this time around since we were mainly exporing the southern part of the Free State during this specific trip and headed to Springfontein when we left Gariep Dam. We will most certainly visit Oviston on a future trip to the Eastern Cape since I believe there are also magnificent views of the Gariep Dam from there. 🌊🤩 Because we visit the smaller places for the most part, they're overall much quieter than the bigger ones. You'll definitely see people in them, in some more than most. In Norvalspont, for example, which is this video you commented on, there were indeed very few people around. I don't think many people live there to begin with to be honest. We hope you'll tag along to many more places with us, it will be fun having you on the backseat! 😁🚗
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! We enjoy your videos, they’re unique & intriguing to watch! We look forward to seeing one on Oviston possibly one day in the future 😃 Blessings
'Agtertang' - hahaha. Maybe it was named after a local dentist famous for taking out wisdom teeth the old fashion way? 😅
😁 'n 'Agtertang' is actually some kind of coupling or link used on the wagons of old. I'm sure that's where the place got its name from.
It was just my silly joke because in Dutch agtertang / achtertang means rear pliers. I was thinking of a barbershop dentist of yore. 😏
Organise a clean up of the cemetery please. Very sad.
Indeed, let's hope it gets done. More people need to see this tribute to all those lost souls. 😥😥
I am of Afrikaans decent, and my own great grandmother buried two toddlers at the Weenen camp in Bloemfontein.However, she always spoke of the gentkemanly conduct of the officers. At a time when black people were treated as little more than beasts if burden, it is well to note that instead of the estimated 23000 Boers who died in these camps, at least double this amount perished in camps set aside for black people swept
Leer ons ooit ?? kyk wat gebeur nou 2022 in Ukraine bom die water en krag daar bly 4 mij mense daar en die temperatuur kan minis 22 C daar word.
Frank my vriend, daar is baie meer agter daai "oorlog" Zelensky is n krimineel en meeste van wat jy op die hoofnuus sien is vervals. Beste groete B
Exactly! As if enough lives weren't lost over the last 150 years or so due to pointless wars and conflict. 😥 I so agree with you.
So much unnecessary deaths caused by mankind upon mankind😢
True story. And it continues until this very day. 😥
... Continuing from previous comment, black people swept up in the conflict. Yet they are little remembered.War often starts with greed, and the Boer war war no exception, and, also, the most vulneralble suffer the most.