The Wagon Tree
Waboom, Wagon Tree, Blousuikerbos, Bobbejaansuikerbos, Brandhout
Protea repens
The name Wagon Tree or Waboom (Afrikaans) came about as a result of it’s usefulness in the manufacturing of wagon wheels.
It is often said that the branches of a wagon tree were used for the spokes of wheels. This is not quite the case, especially if one looks at how irregular these branches can grow.
Below are three of the reasons for the name.
1)
The section of a tree from ground level up to it’s first branches, is called the bole. The bole of the Wagon tree is quite dense, since this tree is a very slow grower. Being dense it not only makes for extra longer lasting coals, but these coals also burn at extremely high temperatures as well. This was sought after by the blacksmith industry of yesteryear who made use of the hot coals to forge various metal implements, tools and other domestic and industrial components.
This was perfect for the heating of metal rims of wagon wheels. The process allowed the metal to expand enough before being placed over the timber wheels. Once the metal cooled down and contracted it made for quite a snug fit.
2)
The dense timber was also ideal for the making of brake blocks which were used to slow down the wagons, particularly important on descents.
3)
The bole of this tree was also used to make the hub of a wagon wheel. This hub to which the spokes of the wheel were attached needed to be strong enough to carry the weight of a fully laden wagon.
How a tour operator’s secret was key in ending apartheid
“Africa Hinterland Safaris”, the ANC “Tour Bus” that smuggled arms across multiple borders to eventually be distributed across South Africa.
This little known secret is actually an extremely captivating story for anyone with an interest in South Africa. And should be for the locals as well.
This ambitious initiative under the command of comrade Joe Slovo, used a converted Bedford truck which took adventure seekers overland in a southerly direction from Kenya to a country at the tip of Africa, one which was on the brink of a civil war at the time.
These happy go lucky tourists were completely unaware of what they were letting themselves in for. Some of them eventually found out about this ploy once the African National Congress party (ANC) felt that it was time to reveal the operation, however, most of them did not.
Lilieslief is a farm near Johannesburg where ANC activists including Nelson Mandela were captured and arrested by the then State Security Police of the apartheid South African government. It is at this farm where advance plans were made by key ANC comrades regarding the implementation of what was to be called the “armed struggle against apartheid” which included the formation of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) military wing of the ANC.
The farm was code-named “CEDRIC” by the underground operatives, and today, it is a National Heritage site with a museum and other interesting displays for visitors. And the accompanying coffee shop is aptly called “Cedric’s”.
It is here at Lilieslief, that the old Bedford truck stands today.
Welcome to “Africa Hinterland Safaris”
Click here for an article by news24.
The videos below tells the tale from the side of the driver/guides.
Credit:
Johannesburg Today and News24 (print)
Ruby Parker-Harbord (video)
Tom Zubryiki-director of Safari Secret (video)
