Mar 8, 2020 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
With the world in a bit of an upheaval, there has never been a better time to support your local community.
There are so many local producers, local manufacturers and local crafters operating in the Nelspruit area, that if you plan correctly, you could do your monthly shopping completely locally.
In this blog, we are going to highlight some of the local producers operating in the area and what you can buy from them. Some supply those everyday items you need while others provide something a little more interesting.
Food
Food and drink are two things that those living in the Lowveld know how to do well. Many local producers supply some of the freshest fruits and vegetables, while our local culinary masters turn these raw products into scrumptious meals.
Two popular local businesses who do both, are Halls Food Stall and Joubert en Seuns Padstall. The Halls Stall is located on the N4, just on the outskirts of Nelspruit and their bakery and locally made jams and preserves are truly legendary. Those passing through can grab a snack on the way home, or stock up on loads of delicious fresh and dried fruits.
Joubert en Seuns Padstall is a relatively new attraction in town, having only recently moved their shop into the city. Not only is this the best place to buy fresh produce, but they also support other local home grown businesses by selling their baked goods, honey, preserves and jams.
Another local foodie who has become quite popular for catering everything from weddings, to conferences, to private parties, is the Steam Street Café. Brad is a culinary genius and his creations have been raved about by his growing fan base.
Skin Care
It might not be something that you think you could be buying locally, but in the Lowveld we have a skin care brand that has a reputation for creating organic, locally manufactured products that range from face creams to oils, soaps and so much more.
If you want to support Nelspruit based businesses after lockdown, Crafted Cosmetics is one to definitely look at. Their products can be bought online or at any one of the local markets hosted throughout the month.
The Lowveld Soap Company is another local manufacturer to have a look at. They are well-known for supplying the hospitality industry with their soaps.
Lowveld Markets
In general, there are a variety of small businesses who choose to sell their items via the many markets that take place throughout the month. There are amazing things to buy, and they vary from jams and preserves to knitted children’s toys, jewellery and second hand books.
Instead of only going out to the malls, you should consider also looking at how you can give your support to the smaller businesses operating throughout the area. You never know what brand you could fall in love with.
***
Nelspruit Lodge, the place to stay! Our lodge has been operating in the city for many years, and we’ve become the accommodation of choice for many passing business people and holiday markers alike.
Book your stay at our lodge today and find out why we are so many peoples first choice when it comes to places to stay in Nelspruit.
Sep 10, 2019 | Nelspruit Accommodation, Nelspruit Lodge
When traveling on the N4 from Pretoria or Johannesburg, you will pass a sign saying Waterval Boven. Next time you are travelling to Nelspruit and go past this sign, make it part of your getaway and take a trip into this long forgotten town.
Waterval Boven was established in 1898 as an NZA SM (Netherlands-South African Railway Company) railway settlement. The name “Waterval Boven” is Dutch and it means “Above Waterfall”. It was named after the waterfall on the Elands River. Some of the NZA SM structures are still scattered about the town. At the heart of the town, you can see the NZA SM administrative building.
The building that housed single staff employees has been turned into a library. Married quarters were made up of semi-detached homes and these typical sandstone buildings are still standing today. Different from all other NZASM Buildings was the resident doctor’s house. Built in 1899, it was constructed with brick and had a characteristic stepped gable. Sadly the name of the architect was not recorded, only the name of the contractor, Guiseppi Dreosti. It is likely that he was commissioned privately.
The most significant building is the tunnel at Waterval Boven. It has been declared the most famous and best known of all the NZASM structures. This site has been declared a Provincial Heritage Site as well as a major tourist attraction.
It took a lot of planning but in October 1892 work started. It took two teams, working from opposite sides of the mountain, and lots of drilling and blasting through the rock to eventually join in the middle in September 1893. Once through, the inside walls were lined with stone masonry for extra strength. Railway tracks were laid down and in 1894, with much celebration throughout the country, the Eastern Railway was opened.
A Popular Tourist Attraction
This remarkable bit of historical engineering is open to tourists today. The tunnel is 211 meters and you can walk from one end to the other. As you enter the tunnel you will be amazed by the stone masonry on the inside walls.
The further you go into the tunnel, the darker it becomes until the sunlight at the entrance is just a speck of light. As you approach the middle, the tunnel curves slightly, leaving you in complete darkness for a brief section before you then again see a small spark of sunlight from the other end. There is a hushed silence from everyone walking through the tunnel as you can almost sense the old steam trains moving through the tunnel, black smoke streaming out behind them.
On the western side of the mountain, you can see where they blasted away a piece of the rock in order to shorten the length of the tunnel. After your walk through the tunnel, you can stand on the viewing deck and be in awe not only of the majestic Elands Falls but also of those brave men who built this tunnel.
When on your way to stay at our Nelspruit accommodation, be sure to add this attraction to your trip.
Recent Comments