Tapping Country Talents

28 Years ago Recruiting latent local talent to serve campers was a profitable sideline project, according to Major James Sclanders, who retired from the South African Air Force in 1974.

The project is run on a few hectares on the farm his forebears established at the foot of the Natal Drankensberg in 1872.

Country talents include those of the family, friends and staff, especially the women.

Kelvin Grove can accommodate 30 caravans and has seven self-contained guest units, a games room, tennis court, swimming pool, fields for horse riding, as well as black bass fishing waters.

Major Sclanders says it is a pity so much undeveloped talent is left buried in remote parts. If fostered, it could generate some self-sufficiency and improve the country’s economy.

Mrs Joy Nevin, who is wellversed in ethnic arts and crafts, was invited to join the family team. She concentrates on developing in-born skills, such as bead work, weaving and simple pottery. These are then channelled into a small thriving cottage industry under the label ‘Afrapique’.

A growing influx of visitors and tourists to the farm and neighbouring resorts is encouraging and it’s run virtually from the back door.

Clay from the farm is used for pottery, which is baked in African tradition in open fires. The moulded pots and animal figurines are then decorated and stained with black or brown shoe-polish.

“However, if not fired enough, they crack and have to be remade,” says Joy.

Clay items sell at R3 [about R20] and R5 [R33] each and the women are paid accordingly.