Feature

Third Africa Marine & Leisure Expo delivers a fun-filled weekend with a strong conservation message

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Third Africa Marine & Leisure Expo delivers a fun-filled weekend with a strong conservation message

 

Young anglers who took part in the catch and release fishing competition with TV fishing show stars Dean Pretorius and Craig Thomassen
Young anglers who took part in the catch and release fishing competition with TV fishing show stars Dean Pretorius and Craig Thomassen

November 1 and 2 saw the much-anticipated return of the Africa Marine & Leisure Expo to the beaches of Scottburgh and Rocky Bay, marking the third year of this UGU South Coast Tourism sponsored event. Previously, the Africa Marine & Leisure Expo has not only celebrated the beach lifestyle for which the South Coast is so famous, but also shone a spotlight on marine conservation groups acting to safeguard coastal environments both in the province and throughout South Africa. This year’s event was no different, focusing equally on informing and inspiring the crowds about conservation issues, and making sure everyone that attended had a fantastic, fun-filled day out.

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The Battle of Lonehill

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The Battle of Lonehill

“Sometimes, thesardine.co.za has to venture inland. Even as far inland as The Big Smoke – Johannesburg. But it’s not all traffic and trouble…the fishing is actually loads of fun, as this papgooi showdown played out at the Lonehill Dam demonstrates.”

The Lonehill Koppie in Gauteng stands tall as a significant and historical landmark. It is one of the finest archeological sites in Africa being the custodian of artefacts and evidence of communities living there as far back as the 1600’s and earlier. Presumably the San or Bushmen occupied the site on which there is a large furnace below ground. It was most likely used to make cement from the ferricrete found all over the area. The koppies is made up of Tor rocks, which are weathered out veins that leave these huge rocks stacked up against one another.

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Lonehill Koppie as seen from our vantage point on the edge of Lonehill Loch

During the Anglo-Boer war, it is reported, that a Dutch Squadron were trapped on Lonehill by the British. As the siege waged on, the Dutchmen’s bullets were running low, so they ingeniously started dislodging the huge rocks and raining them down over the Redcoats. It was a good tactic, typical of the guerilla warfare style the Dutch invented in that struggle, but it was not enough. With numbers, the British won over Lonehill Koppie.

To today. Just north of Lonehill Koppie, is Lonehill Loch…the scene of yet another epic battle.

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