The Royal Drakensberg Education Trust works in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. We are currently working with 18 pre-schools, 1 foundation phase school and impacting the lives of approximately 750 children. We are very fortunate to have support from a wide range of friends, corporates and businesses that ensure we can
UPDATE 25th March: This past week we were invited to join the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Transport and we have been able to highlight the importance of our road access. We will wait 2 weeks for a response but the following promises were made by the Committee: Engage and prepare an oversight visit Request a
Twenty and twenty-one are happy numbers. Days of old. Carefree, key-of-the-door kind of numbers. Life was sweet, responsibilities non-existent and we just rolled from one day to the next. We’re almost being bullied back to that way of living. An 18-month Covid pandemic has left us shattered at times, scared of the what’s-next and angry
The weather was real summer, sunny for morning walks, stormy in the afternoons. The birding was excellent. The cuckoos – Red-chested, Black, and Klaas’s were in full voice. The White-rumped Swifts did their best early morning swirl over the lawn before following their insect prey ever upwards as the air warmed. A couple of Alpine
On the way to the Cavern we passed several fresh burns. Plenty of birds recognise an opportunity for freshly roasted insects spread out on the dining table. On one, where the smoke had barely cleared, and it must have been still warm underfoot, were at least 30 Black-headed Herons. They are always first on the
with Lee Fuller Lee Fuller camps are usually 2 to 3 days in duration. The small groups of fully supervised kids are afforded the freedom to be kids outdoors. We safely teach them the skills needed to stay safe, warm and dry outdoors. The themes of conservation, resilience, responsibility and accountability, run strongly in our
Dear Friends The ups and downs have us in perpetual flux but we are so grateful to have a lovely busy August. Thank goodness for 3-term schools! Last month was unsettling but we are thankful that our area and community remains peaceful and that keeps us hopeful. And, there is good news! See latest blog
This past month has been nothing short of dreadful. Inter-provincial travel from Gauteng was banned then came unrest in KZN and suddenly a lovely winter season was no more. Obliterated. Coupled with this; the spaniels took on a puffy, our old man was suddenly man-down with a lurgy and our eldest celebrated her 18th birthday
The weather report said horrid rain and cold: reality beamed bright and clear. The birds said thanks, and we managed 54 species in the weekend. Early winter is the best time for Aloe arborescens and Leonotis leonurus. Best birding is from the balcony nearest the bar, and that suits many of the audience. Gurney’s Sugarbird
Our Northern Drakensberg valley is such a treat to live-in. We pinch ourselves each day; we have the freedom to hike the mountains, swim in the natural pools and run the trails at any moment. It truly is glorious. Three generations have thrived in this Northern Berg valley. Each generation has brought a unique offering
