The name Roodewal originates from the deep red soil of the Brondal Valley, a fertile expanse that has sustained Lowveld agriculture for generations. At the heart of this landscape stands a homestead approaching its centenary, notable for being one of the region’s earliest guest houses.
BOOK REVIEWS
It is appropriate to begin with a declaration of interest: I contributed a chapter on Prynnsberg and supported the publication of this book. That proximity, however, also allows for a fuller appreciation of both its achievements and its limitations.
BLUE PLAQUES
This marks the site where South Africa's first champion tree stood, declared in 2004. The tree was over 100 years old, with a girth of 4m, but a severe pruning in 2005 killed the tree. The giant oak was a meeting place for the community in old Sophiatown, before forced removals by the apartheid government between 1955-61.