Our far-flung Community

by John-Peter Gernaat

​I am a fan of a road trip. I love driving, and I enjoy the sensation of time becoming distance. We live in a country that is naturally diverse with each natural ecosystem having a majesty and beauty to share. Along the way, there is the opportunity to meet up with members of our congregation.

The road trip this year was inspired by the conference of the First Class of the School of Spiritual Science of the Anthroposophical Society, held in Cape Town. Jan Lampen and I decided to attend this and together make a road trip of it. There was a small delegation of participants from Johannesburg at this conference, but at least half of the twenty-nine participants had, at some time, called Johannesburg home.

We stayed in Lakeside overlooking Sandvlei in an apartment of someone connected to Waldorf Education.

​After the conclusion of the conference, the migration along the southern Cape coast commenced. The first stop was Pringle Bay for breakfast with a friend, and then driving to Knysna. A quick “hello” to Mags and Felix Meyburgh resulted in an invitation of an evening braai and a bed for the night.

​Mags and Felix live in a cottage high above the Knysna Lagoon with a magnificent view across to the Knysna Heads.

​Before breakfast, we stopped off at the framing shop Simone Abawat has in Town near the Knysna Waterfront.

​Joseph and Stephen arrived, and we had coffee at the shop next door. Only a few years ago I visited Knysna and discovered that my favourite restaurant had suffered a catastrophic fire. I struggled to find good coffee. Now there seems to be a good coffee shop on every street. We were asked what our plans were and Simone invited us to stay the night.

We walked in the same Knysna forest where Dalene Matthee found inspiration to write her famous novel Kringe in die Bos and visited the Millwood Goldfields and the Jubilee Creek with its relics of gold panning and gold mining.

​Following our adventures in the forest, we visited Michelle Abawat. She was delighted to have the company of open-minded visitors with whom she could speak about spiritual matters.

​After some errands, we made it to Simone’s home, where we were treated to a platter of cheese and snacks with pizza on the side.

​Before supper, we had driven to Plettenberg Bay to have coffee with Pam Stevens at Old Nick Village, a conglomeration of craft workshops and arty outlets.

​Plettenburg Bay has become a hive of Anthroposophic activity. Carole Penfold holds a gathering in her home once a month, in lieu of the Act of Consecration of Man, Igor Sturmheit runs a study group and is the Class Reader for a meeting of the First Class. Avice Hindmarch offers biodynamic training and workshops from her property outside of Plettenberg Bay.

By 10 am the next morning, we were in front of the cottage of Thea Kreft in Gqeberha. There is a magnificent nursery very near to Thea’s home that incorporates a restaurant and shops, and it was to this restaurant that we headed for coffee and an early lunch.

Thea delights in visits from our congregation, anyone with whom she can speak about matters of the spirit.

Our final stop was in Nieu Bethesda to visit the Owl House of Helen Martins and see the “Stonefolk” art installation. Along the way, we greeted Beverley in her farm dam. Beverley is a mannequin someone dressed and placed in the farm dam. She was an oddity until she suddenly went missing. This made the national news, and now that she is back in her dam, one should stop and greet her when passing that way. There are many photos of Nieu Bethesda posted on Instagram.