Agulhas Park

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SOUTBOS

A special thanks to the following contributers:

Kenneth Gilpin of Plumbcrazy Group

Ken Wyley of Kennedy Wyley Architect

Soutbosch is one of the oldest farms in the Strandveld that became part of Agulhas National Park in 1999. It is situated next to the gravel road to Elim, about 10 km from the tarred road between Bredasdorp and Struisbaai. It is also situated on a natural ridge with a view on salt pans and wetlands.

The Cape Government granted Soutbosch as a whole in 1836 to J.N., P.H. and P.A. Swart. Bosheuwel was originally part of Soutbosch. According to old inhabitants of Soutbosch and Bosheuwel the house nearest to the road is the oldest, and possibly built in the 1850’s/60’s. The ceilings of this house are from shipwreck wood, whereas the ceilings of the house at the back were from yellowwood. The houses were radically changed over the years. This front house is of high historical importance.

The Heritage architect has visited the site and is of the opinion that it is worth restoring and preserving. An independent engineer has also visited the site and is of the opinion that the structures are sound and restorable.

1838 Map indicating Zout Bosch Farm with homestead

SOUTBOSCH

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

PROPOSED UTILIZATION OF BUILDINGS AND YARD

It is proposed that Soutbosch be used as the “Birding base” of Agulhas National Park with the support of the Agulhas Honorary Rangers and BirdLife South Africa. The buildings border the wetlands and pans. It is situated next to the Struisbaai-Elim Birding route. The Agulhas Honorary Rangers organize a birding week-end every year and an annual birding programme is well established.

The main purpose and objective will be to give the Agulhas communities a more direct incentive and venue to get involved in tourism, specifically avitourism, as well as the conservation of natural and cultural resources of the Strandveld. This will also be a mechanism in which Agulhas N.P. can show its commitment towards the development and involvement of its neighbours and stakeholders wellbeing.

Front house:

Reception
Office-space
Kitchen facilities
Information & display area
Basic refreshments
Honorary rangers’ meeting venue

ACTIVITIES

The following activities can be managed from this venue:

Managing the Struisbaai-Elim Birding route
Organizing, coordinating, managing other activities, such as hiking trails, birding spots, mountain biking, horse-trails, canoeing, etc.
Organizing of events such as the HR birding week-end and birding programmes
Monthly meetings of Honorary Rangers

OTHER PROPOSALS

Information office for Agulhas National Park and/or Honorary Rangers. This will include a small curio shop/coffee shop.
Honorary Rangers’ meeting place. (Meetings, base from where to work)
Camping site only for tents between trees at the back. (Reception and management of camp)
Cultural Interpretation centre. (Same as Bosheuwel. A venue where cultural programmes and activities can be presented)
Base camp for Cluster (Bosheuwel, Salt pans, Soutbosch)
Stop over point for day trippers e.g. Coastal safaris, Cape Agulhas Backpackers, Tip of Africa, etc. to use facilities for canoeing, horse rides, mountain biking, refreshments or cultural culinary. (A venue from where to organize activities)
Base camp for researchers visiting Agulhas National Park
Living farm yard. (Same concept as Kleinplasie Living farm museum in Worcester, but with animals and traditional farming activities)

Project minimum infrastructure, facilities, equipment needs