Tag Archives: Rheenendal

Live Debate 6pm: Independent vs DA corruption

Mike Hampton Posted on by

UPDATE – Watch the video on Facebook. Step 1 towards taking control of Knysna away from the Democratic Alliance (DA) begins tonight, 13 August 2019, at 6pm. 5 candidates will debate the pending Ward 5 by-election. What likely makes this different is that a DA stronghold is being challenged by Susan Campbell from the recently erected Knysna Independent Movement (KIM). They’re running on an anti-DA corruption platform and are unofficially supported by the Knysna Ratepayers’ Association. This may prove of interest to the Western Cape. It’s symbolic of the backlash … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The DA, the Mayor & the Rheenendal Riots

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Why has there been no news about the Rheenendal riots for a day and two nights? Why is the Knysna Municipality and the Democratic Alliance (DA) keeping the public in the dark? Why was there no warning to tourists, via social media, to keep out of the problem area? Is it because Mayor Eleonore Bouw is the Ward Councillor? Is it true that her citizens are angry because of fake promises and her scarcity? Or is this an ANC move? Consider how the DA played dice in their political game … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Rheenendal Riots

Mike Hampton Posted on by

There have been riots in Rheenendal which started last night and ran into today. Fires have been lit and, for a period, the Rheenendal Road was closed. A subscriber said that riot police and firemen from neighbouring towns were called in to assist. The cause of the protest is unknown but it might be because of wanted housing, a possible show of strength whilst the MEC for Human Settlements, Bonginkosi Madikizela, is on tour of the Knysna Municipality. This is strengthened by the housing meeting with Mayor Eleanore Spies that was … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Is Hornlee Invisible to the Rest of Knysna?

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Is Hornlee and its mostly coloured residents invisible to the rest of Knysna? It’s places such as The Heads, the Waterfront and the estuary that springs to mind when visitors think of Knysna. Being a tourist and retirement based economy, many locals think the same but may add in pubs, restaurants, boats etc. Even when we think about poverty tourism, those trips where rich people pay to see poor people, we think about Concordia and Khayalethu, not Hornlee. But what we’re supposed to do, as a community, is think most … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

History: A Snapshot of Old Rheenendal in Knysna

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Timber has always been a big part of Knysna’s history and the Van Reenen family played a big part. Photos courtesy of Totties Farm Kitchen in Rheenendal, Knysna.

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The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

History of Knysna: Rheenedal Farm & Totties

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Florence Eleanor van Reenen (nee Cross), was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1878. She arrived in South Africa as a “Florence Nightingale” nurse during the Anglo-Boer War. Affectionately named ‘Tottie’ by the Van Reenen family, as she used to call her grandchildren ‘Little Tots’. In 1922, Tottie started the original general dealer store and butcher shop in Rheenendal which serviced the needs of the staff from her husband’s sawmill and woodcutters from the Millwood district. It was Tottie’s suggestion to call their farm Rheenendal instead of the suggested Fescue … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!