Aberdeen played host last week to five groups from Graaff-Reinet involved in the tourism industry. As part of an initiative to raise levels of awareness amongst hospitality providers, these groups came to Aberdeen to see for themselves what the town has to offer. Participants included guest house personnel, petrol pump attendants and waitresses, all of whom regularly come into contact with visitors to the Camdeboo.
Volunteers from Aberdeen Publicity and Tourism Office and staff of the Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau, were proud to introduce the visitors to the attractions of the town. The participants were treated to walking tours to admire the diverse architecture, a talk on the well-known Biblical panels in the NGK hall, and an informative drive through Thembalesizwe. To ward off the icy cold weather, a very welcome lunch of homemade soup was served each day.
Great interest was shown in the history of the town. The present owner of the former British garrison was able to show the group a photograph taken in 1900, clearing showing the stables that had housed the British soldiers’ horses. The groups also visited Pagel House, now a bed and breakfast, which once was home to Aberdeen Zoo!
In Thembalesizwe the visitors were shown, amongst other sites, a group of houses that were thought to have been built for soldiers returning from the first world war. The owner of one of these (known as the Rasta house) is thinking of starting a bed and breakfast and has added some unusual artwork to the house. A small brick building, which was the mortuary for Thembalesizwe residents, was also seen – apparently, even in the extreme heat of summer the bodies remained cool.Participants from Graaff-Reinet were unanimous in their praise for this initiative, and many expressed a desire to return to explore further. “Even though I live in Graaff-Reinet, I’ve only ever driven past Aberdeen, and never been into the town before. Now we can really tell people what to see in Aberdeen, and will certainly recommend that they visit” said Venessa, a waitress at a well-known restaurant.
Article By: Sue Shaw