Tag Archives: Gouna Forest

History of the Knysna Elephants 1908-1979

Mike Hampton Posted on by

1908 In 1908, elephants were proclaimed as Royal Game. Thus they were protected from being hunted by all except the British royalty. Fortunately no further Royals passed by (Watson, 2002). However, it is a well-known fact that you cannot protect a species merely by declaring it to be protected. Because poachers usually come from the more ignorant classes, and quite often they will simply not have heard of the decree. Or if they are a bit more educated they will ignore the edict because they think they are clever enough … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Visit the ‘Italian Church Museum’ in Knysna Forest

Mike Hampton Posted on by

This is an outing for those of you who haven’t been into the Gouna Forest recently! Visit the old San Ambrosa Church on the ‘Gouna Commonage’ – it contains a very interesting display of the history of the Italian silk-grower families who came out to Knysna in 1881. Some of the descendants of these families are still in Knysna today and we have asked Rayno Sciocatti, a descendent, to talk to us about the history of these Italian immigrants and of the little Catholic Church, in which he has been … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

San Ambroso Chapel, Knysna’s Italian church

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Have you visited the ‘Italian Church’ in Knysna? A mate unexpectedly took me and a pizza for a rainy ride to the Gouna Forest where I saw that beautiful building for the first time. Established in 1892, it was called the San Ambroso Church but has been renamed the San Ambroso Chapel Museum. The Italians silk-farming intentions (mentioned in Daleen Matthee’s book, The Mulberry Forest) may have failed but it’s wonderful to still have part of their pioneering history with us. Rain made the forest wonderfully mysterious and further added … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!