Amendment to tourism regulations gazetted

Amendment to tourism regulations gazetted

The Department of Tourism, Forestry and Fisheries has announced that it will be gazetting amended regulations aimed at relaxing some of the Alert Level 3 restrictions imposed on the sector.
 

It has been confirmed that these amendments have now been gazetted by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs.

Therefore, intra-provincial accommodation for leisure purposes is now permitted under Alert level 3.

Similarly, the curfew prohibiting the movement of persons, except for work purposes, has now been amended to between 22:00 and 04:00.

In terms of the media statement, the current curfew prohibiting the movement of persons between the hours of 21:00 and 4:00, except for work purposes, will be amended to 22:00 and 4:00 in order to allow restaurants to serve dinner to its patrons.

Furthermore, intra-provincial accommodation for leisure purposes will now be permitted subject to a limitation of 2 people per room with the exception of a nuclear family (parents and their children).
 

People are still not permitted to travel across provinces for leisure purposes.

Tour operators will be permitted to conduct guided tours in open safari vehicles subject to social distancing measures.
 

Amazing work at the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary & Lodge

Amazing work at the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary & Lodge

The LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary & Lodge is situated 13km from Bethlehem.

With an ever-increasing need to home rescued big cats from zoos, circuses and private keeping, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS headed to South Africa in 2006 in search of an appropriate home for these animals. That is when the property was found where LIONSROCK is today. Not only would it become the home of rescued big cats from across the globe, but those already on the property would no longer face an uncertain future – at the height of so-called canned hunting and destined to become trophies or breeding machines. In 2008, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary opened its door to the public with the lodge offering accommodation, a restaurant and a variety of activities including educational sanctuary drives. Over the course of a few years, LIONSROCK is now home to more than 100 big cats – lions, tigers, leopards and a three-legged cheetah. It’s not only a world-class sanctuary where animals come to recover from their pasts, but also where people escape from their busy lives, taking a moment to reflect on life and enjoy the spectacular views and nature the Eastern Free State has to offer.
With an ever-increasing need to home rescued big cats from zoos, circuses and private keeping, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS headed to South Africa in 2006 in search of an appropriate home for these animals. That is when the property was found where LIONSROCK is today. Not only would it become the home of rescued big cats from across the globe, but those already on the property would no longer face an uncertain future – at the height of so-called canned hunting and destined to become trophies or breeding machines. In 2008, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary opened its door to the public with the lodge offering accommodation, a restaurant and a variety of activities including educational sanctuary drives. Over the course of a few years, LIONSROCK is now home to more than 100 big cats – lions, tigers, leopards and a three-legged cheetah. It’s not only a world-class sanctuary where animals come to recover from their pasts, but also where people escape from their busy lives, taking a moment to reflect on life and enjoy the spectacular views and nature the Eastern Free State has to offer.
Watch one of their amazing virtual tours here
If you would like to watch more click on their website link
Do good Mandela Day

Do good Mandela Day

Don your superhero cape and do good this #MandelaDay as called on by our beloved Ntate Mandela. Never has it been more important to show support, kindness and love to our fellow humans and animals.
Here in #Clarens, we have some superheroes of our own who would jump for joy if you could assist.
Combined Churches in Action are providing a daily meal for 200 vulnerable children at the Tsepong Centre here in Clarens. Information is on http://ccia.co.za/
The Clarens Feeding scheme is delivering a food parcel to 300 destitute families every Wednesday. This initiative is 100% privately driven and funded and the team of volunteers are desperate for any donations. You can WhatsApp 0836081441 to assist.
Nnete Foundation is assisting learners to continue their schooling in these times. Read about their work on https://www.nnetefoundation.com/about-us
Our friends at Lion’s Rock Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem are an animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing animals held in captivity. See the amazing work being done and help with a donation on www.lionsrock.org
Clarens Community Concerns collects unwanted clothing and household goods to distribute amongst our locals who can purchase for less than the cost of a loaf of bread or a smile if they are unable to purchase. The funds raised go back into the Clarens charities. You can e-mail deboeratlast@gmail.com to donate.
The Cluny Animal Trust is hammering away at building 100 #MandelaDay weatherproof dog kennels for the dogs in the informal settlements of Clarens and Fouriesburg.
Check out https://www.facebook.com/clunyanimaltrust.co.za to donate or participate.
If you are unable to part with your hard-earned savings in these trying times, show some love to your neighbours and fellow residents through random acts of kindness. A wise man said “Be kind, unless you can be fantastic. Then be fantastically kind”.

Read about our Recycling Centre

Read about our Recycling Centre

Evon Els and Palo Ncala have run this as part of the Clarens Village Conservancy (CVC) since 2013.
Household, restaurant and other commercial waste are collected or delivered and processed 5 days a week. The Centre buys suitable waste from our Township. Cardboard waste gets pressed into bales and yields 10 x 220kg bales per month. Glass gets broken manually and yields 60 – 90 tonnes per year. Plastic and cans are pressed into bales of 80 kg, yielding approx. 3 bales of plastic and 1 bale of cans per month. These are all sold back into the trade from where they came, except the cans which are collected purely to keep the environment clean. Any household items and clothing which are received, get distributed back to the less fortunate. The income raised from the sale of the recycled material is minimal and hardly sufficient to keep the Recycling Centre operational; the CVC assists by diverting donations to the cause.
All residents and visitors are encouraged to recycle! Evon says that in order to keep the doors open, a lot bigger volume is needed and she appeals to everyone to do their bit. Monetary donations are also welcome and help to keep the centre going.
Evon and Palo say “Let us work together to keep our wonderful town and environment clean”.
Please visit www.clarensvillageconservancy.com for more information, or how to donate.

Bana ba Hlokang

Bana ba Hlokang

Bana ba Hlokang, a project of Clarens Combined Churches in Action which has been providing meals on a daily basis to more than 206 orphaned and/or vulnerable township children at the Tsepong centre in Kgubetswana.
The children, aged between 6 and 17, are cared for at Tshepong Hall on a daily basis after school by 5 care workers who also make regular visits to these children’s homes.
Bana ba Hlokang is expertly managed by Thomas and Sarah Thaele, with a total of 11 staff members, all of whom work tirelessly and are dedicated to the welfare of all the children. The main focus has been enabling these families to grow their own food. In addition services such as Counselling and Play Therapy, Youth Choir training, HIV/AIDS programme, Educational programmes, including computer classes, Ballet and Dancing lessons, English reading and poetry, Sewing Centre and Social Worker assistance are offered.
As a result of COVID-19, the Tshepong Hall has been utilised to pack weekly food parcels for distribution to over 550 struggling families. Bana staff were actively involved in assisting the Clarens Community Lockdown Project with the packing, distribution and identification of the families most in need of assistance. Until schools are completely reopened for all classes and the daily feeding programme can be resumed, Bana staff will continue to assist with food parcel packing and distribution. Each Bana child’s family will be among those to receive a weekly food parcel, in place of the daily feeding programme.
CCIA is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 044-650) and Public Benefit Organisation
(PBO 930016906) who depends on donations, both financial and material (such as food, clothing and shoes), to care for our children.
Should you wish to donate to this very worthy cause, the bank details are below or you can contact Thomas or Sarah on 058 256 1268.
FNB, Combined Churches in Action, Current acc no 62772327047, Code 250655

Meet Bossie, pioneering knife-maker of Bossie Knives right here in Clarens

Meet Bossie, pioneering knife-maker of Bossie Knives right here in Clarens

“Bossie Knives was established in 2005. I have always enjoyed making things. Growing up in Namibia we went hunting with my dad so knives were always a part of me.
I make the full tang knives and my wife Yolande makes the folding knives. We use N690, cobalt stainless steel made in Austria as well as RWL 34 and Damascus steel. We take pride in our work and as an added service we sharpen our knives for free.
We offer a knife making experience where you can make a knife with me. Bookings are essential. I also sharpen blades and scissors professionally.”
For more info check out
https://www.facebook.com/bossieknives

https://www.instagram.com/bossieknives/

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