The Kamoka Open Africa Route is a project still in its beginning phase. 

The Kamoka Open Africa Route will cover areas such as KwaMhlanga, Kwaggafontein, Siyabuswa, Greater Marble Hall, Greater Groblersdal, Stoffberg, Roossenekal and many other small villages and townships. It will also pass through two District Municipalities, the Nkangala District Municipality and the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality. The general Route area is located about 100km northeast of Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city situated in Gauteng Province, the smallest yet the richest province in the country.

The Route will be in what was once called the “KwaNdebele Homeland”, which the area was given to the Ndebele people by the apartheid government in its failed Bantustan policy. There are other tribes such as the Pedi, and Bantwana (an offshoot of the Tswana tribe) living in the area, and this Route highlights their cultures preserved through the ages.

It historically tells of the struggle of these indigenous people to maintain their culture and their heritage against tremendous odds. This Route is about how the people here decided to work together despite their differences in order to make the region a prosperous one from a tourist point of view in the interests of sustainable economic growth. There could not be a better way to unite these people than by the name they chose to be known by, Kamoka, which means together.

WHO IS OPEN AFRICA

Open Africa is a registered tax exempt not for gain Public Benefit Institution, established under the patronage of Nelson Mandela and headed up by Founder, Noel de Villiers.

It was established in 1995 with the aim of optimising the synergies between tourism, job creation and conservation this resulted in the concept of Afrkatourism and the development of the Open Africa Project, the enabling system behind this site, and Team Africa.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MAIN TOWNS COVERED BY THE ROUTE

KwaMhlanga: Seat of the old KwaNdebele Homeland, it is also home of the Loopspruit Winery, the only licensed grape winery outside of the Cape.

Siyabuswa: An easy 1½ hour drive from Pretoria, Siyabuswa is home to the Ndebele king, Mayisha III. His palace and kraal have been opened as tourism attractions.

Greater Marble Hall: Proclaimed as a township in 1945 this town is famous for the purity of the marble after which it is named. It is a major agricultural area and abounds in wild game, making it a hunter’s paradise.

Greater Groblersdal: Nestled in the Olifants River Valley this town owes its existence to the magnificent irrigation scheme of, and proximity to, the Loskop dam and Nature Reserve.

Roossenekal: Named after two Afrikaner officers, this town is home of the Mapoch Caves and is the only place in the world where the yellow arum lily can be found.

DIRECTIONS FROM JOHANNESBURG AND PRETORIA

From Johannesburg take the N1 to Pretoria (or the R21 north from the International Airport) and head toward Polokwane (Pietersburg). Turn east onto the Zambezi Drive off ramp. Through the tollgate and turn right at the traffic lights. Drive for less than 1km and then turn left onto the R573, Moloto/KwaMhlanga road towards KwaMhlanga. You will travel through the Dinokeng Route for some 40km until you reach Moloto, which is the start of the Mamoka Open Africa Route. Here the Route starts, crisscrossing the areas covered through KwaMhlanga, Kwagga-fontein and Siyabuswa all the way to Marble Hall before changing direction on the N11 toward Groblersdal and the R33 and R555 to Roossenekal on the eastern side toward Kruger National Park.

USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION

• The Kamoka Open Africa Route area is located in a malaria free region. However, because it is enroute to the Kruger National Park in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, travellers may be exposed to malaria, so please consult your doctor about the medication you will need to take before entering and after leaving the park.

• The Route is easily reached from the Johannesburg International Airport, whilst the Lanseria Airport is even closer, about one hours drive from the general Route area.

• Special tours explore the Ndebele Culture and can be arranged with the Kghodwana Cultural Village.

Interesting features of the route

• The Tribal diversity of the area.

• The Famous Ndebele Twin Sisters.

• Kghodwana Cultural Village.

• Loopspruit Winery.

• The story behind the Kamoka name.

• Mapoch Caves.

• Roossenekal Yellow Arum Lily.

• Festival.

• Esther Mahlangu’s “BMW” Project.

• King Mayisha III’s Palace and Kraal.

• Cilabi Ostrich farm.

• Marble Hall Crocodile Farm.

For more information on the progress of this project and any other information needed the following persons can be contacted:

Other Contact Information: