The De Rust Heritage Conservation Association is pleased to announce the launch of our new comprehensive website which illustrates our integrated approach to the issue of “Heritage Conservation”. As a small rural community in the Klein Karoo with a strong agricultural base we are well situated as an ideal touring base. We also possess outstanding natural resources including the Swartberg mountain range, separating the Klein and Great Karoo and providing almost unlimited opportunities for both conservation and heritage to exist side by side. Some outstanding features include the Meiringspoort national road through the Swartberg among other attractions, all being part of the area protected and managed by Cape Nature.

We strongly believe that it is essential to link the issue of “heritage” with a totally integrated approach to the issue of “Sustainable Communities”. This includes job creation through the encouragement of eco-tourism which by its very nature includes an “integrated approach to the whole environment”.

Main Sections of Our Website

The Main Sections of the website www.derustheritage.org.za include details on the following aspects of our activities:

• A Brief History of De Rust and District
• The Role of Heritage  Some Heritage Guidelines
• The Heritage Sensitive Area and Heritage Buildings
• Heritage Western Cape
• The Role of the Environment
• Eco-Tourism and Employment
• Notices – both “Red Alerts” and Other
• The Heritage Newsletter
• Links to other associated websites

In addition to the above each major section has a number of sub-sections as drop-downs providing even more detail as well as items of interest. The website focuses in detail on the various opportunities and challenges facing us in our wider De Rust community. This is closely linked to the idea of integrated sustainable development in our part of the Klein Karoo. As in many similar rural communities, there is high unemployment among the youth in particular. We believe the full focus on heritage and eco-tourism can assist not only in job creation but also in a more prosperous and safer community for all.

We would appreciate any additional ideas and approaches that other interested heritage organisations/individuals can offer us.

For further information on De Rust please contact us directly through our website or via e-mail at rickety@iafrica.com - we really value your input.

Box 45, De Rust.6650 Mobile: 082 777 1519 e-mail: rickety@iafrica.com Website: www.derustheritage.org.za