As long as we can remember the Rondavel village has been a tourist attraction in Botha’s Hill.
Like most good things, it has now come to an end and the demolition is complete.
What will come in it’s place is anybody’s guess, but I will keep you posted.
On the main road, before you turn off into the valley where our little abode is hidden, there used to be a village of thatched rondavels shops selling locally made artifacts.
It was called 1,000 Hills Village.
As you entered there were signs to each shop to help you find what you would be interested in.
This village had been here for 50 years or more and many of the shops have changed hands, particularly the restaurant.
Over the weekend it was always buzzing with activity as townspeople rushed to the hills to have respite from the daily grind, until the health scare turned it into a ghost village for a couple of years.
Vibrance lost
There were rondavels of all sizes, and everything was on sale, from original and expensive works of art to beaded trinkets for the visitors to take home as momentos.
The rondavels were very colourful and inviting, and the gardens had been planted and laid out with indigenous vegetation to give the full African village feel.
Watching them being dismantled was like watching a building in reverse. Every bit that could be rescued and recycled was bundled and taken elsewhere. The ground was levelled, and the excess boulders and soil taken to various landfill sites.
Demolition
The biggest rondavel, was known as The Puzzle Place. Like all the other small businesses, he had a struggle these past couple of years, but the ‘locals’ kept him going.
It was such a landmark that if you say “Where the old PheZulu was” people immediately knew where it was. PheZulu means ‘on top’.
We had a serious veld fire a couple of years ago, and we were very worried that the roofs would catch alight, but fortunately the fire brigade managed to douse them in time.
Now, it is all gone. 
Gone
We locals are heartbroken, but, as we have to recognise, the huts were becoming old and dangerous, so, as usual, the old has to make way for the new – let’s see what happens.
