Herman van Bon. Date of travel: Nov 2004
Another story from a wonderful and imaginative Soekershof Walkabout: Robertson – It sounds macabre and it was when workers of a farm near Robertson in the Western Cape discovered some trampled human bones with a flattened scalp. Their Dutch employer, knowledgable about the colonial history of the area, remembered the locally told story about an early 18th century slave-driver who was trampled to death by an elephant in such a manner that “the soil was drained with blood�. He never really believed the story but was very much in doubt after the discovery of the “fully flat and cracked� skeleton, a little more than a year ago. It now has turned out with almost absolute certainty that his workers indeed struck the bones of the legendary Klaas Voogds while weeding one of the gardens. Voogds is historically credited as being one of the “main founders of the bastard Hottentots� (National Archives). He is regarded as the forefather of 10 to 20 percent of the ‘coloured people’ who originate from the area between Swellendam and Tulbagh. Voogds was also suspected of being a secret agent for Willem-Adriaan and Simon van der Stel. His original name is ‘Claus Voigts’ and he is born around 1670 in Hensted between Hamburg and Neumunster in Northern Germany. In 1692 he arrived as Klaas Voogds and as soldier of the Dutch East India company in Cape Town on the vessel Haemstede. Voogds annually attended a military call up in Stellenbosch or Drakenstein but in 1719 it is written that he passed away in the previous year but no official cause of his dead is recorded. The story that Voogds was trampled to death came from 2 Swedish botanists (Thunberg and Sparrman) who in 1768 visited the area East of Robertson which is named after Voogds. It’s there that the Swedish found out about “the bushfighting gentry who was trampled to death by an elephant in such an awful manner that the soil was drained with blood�, as written in their diary. Klaas Voogds was undoubtedly a man of legendary proportions. From historical records it becomes clear that Voogds was intimately at the forefront of a small group of hunters, traders, scouts, trackers and cattle rustlers. He was also one of the first Europeans to ‘go native’ and assume a nomadic-type lifestyle. The ‘Opgaaf Rollen’ provides data about his taxable wealth. He had nothing to declare and was always on the move, amassing ‘wealth’ in other non-conventional ways. From records it is also known that he communicated with the indigenous people in their own language. It remains however a mystery why the area between Robertson and Ashton is named after Klaas Voogds. From official records it is only known that Klaas voogds and Hans Jurgen Potgieter, accompanied by 18 Hottentots, crossed this area chasing marauding slaves who attacked a farm near Tulbagh. They finally captured the slaves near Bufferjagsrivier in the Swellendam area. In close co-operation with all parties, authorities included, it has been decided to leave the skeleton on location. But the workers of the farm Soekershof were not very content with that idea and have cemented over the flattened remains of the man who might be one of their forefathers. They have made a praying chair in front of the grave where they every now and than find contemplation. Remarkable detail: also the (broken) remains of a gun were found at the same site. Also this gun has been cemented. Soekershof Walkabout is located in the Klaas Voogds area between Robertson and Ashton in the Western Cape along the legendary Route 62. Pre-experiencing Soekershof: http://soekershof.com It's a good website with lots of info; also about other activities, accommodation a.s.o. in the region.

Annie Trevelyan. Date of travel: May 2004
There are numerous wonders hidden away in the country-side of the Western Cape, and I discovered one of them on a recent visit. Soekershof Walkabout is a treat not to be missed! Billed as a ‘botanical garden’ it is a great deal more than this with its fascinating mazes, cactus labyrinth, philosopher’s garden and then some! The cactuses alone are worth the trip, not to mention the local stories and ghosts. To find it take the N1 out of Cape Town to Worcester and then the R60 to Robertson. About 8kms past Robertson turn left into Klaas Voogds West, and after a kilometer or so you will find the entrance to Soekershof guarded by two elephants. Its better to book in advance and then you can have your visit ‘customised’ and have an entertaining guided tour, or organise to spend the night to go on the moon walkabout. This place is a real blast! Telephone (fax) Tel/Fax: 023-626 4134 or email soekershof@lando.co.za