WE (World English): 2013-02-17

RocK CLimBing BouLderS in South Africa

South African Races

The OTTER African TRAiL RUN

PiT BiKe Racing in Johannesburg

Thundercat Inflatable Power Boat Racing

April 6, 1652 Van Riebeeck´s Arrival to South Africa

He was accompanied by 82 men and 8 women, his own wife amongst them.

They had been instructed to establish a colony to provide the Dutch East India Company's ships with fresh groceries, mainly meat and vegetables on the long journey from Europe to Asia.

First Van Riebeeck's men erected the "Fort de Goede Hoop" and a large garden to grow fruit and vegetables. They tried to obtain meat through trade with the natives (Khoikhoi also known as Hottentots) which resisted the invasion until they were forced to retreat to the north.

European settlement in South Africa started in Cape Town, which is why it is still called the "Mother City".

After the British decided against establishing a colony at the Cape of Good Hope, it was the Dutch who realized its strategic and economic importance.

Vulnerable Flora of South Africa

Luisiesbos (African name)
Orange form

Needle-Leaf Pincushion, Narrow-Leaf Pincushion, Tangerine Pincushion, Assegaaibos Pincushion;

Endangered S. African Species: The PangoLin

There are four species in Africa and three in southeast Asia. The three Asian species and one of the African species of Pangolin are endangered because of habitat destruction and hunting. Pangolin´s scales are used in Chinese and African medicine and their skin makes attractive leather for boots.

The Pangolin measures over 1 m in length and weighs up to 18 Kg and are entirely insectivorous.They run at a speed of about 5km per hour.

The 250 mm long, rod-shaped tongue is covered with a sticky saliva used as a tool by inserting it into the termite tunnels for around a minute, about 90 times per night.