South Africa (Mzansi), my Next Destination

Exploring Glen Garriff Conservation: A Lion Sanctuary and Wildlife Farm Introduction Glen Garriff Conservation is a remarkable lion sanctuary and wildlife farm nestled in the heart of the Free State province. Let’s embark on a virtual journey to discover this unique haven for magnificent lions and explore the breathtaking landscapes that surround it. Our Mission At Glen Garriff, our mission is simple: to love, protect, and preserve the African lion population. The sanctuary was established in 2002, a century after the last wild lions were hunted down on Platberg Mountain in 1902. Since then, we’ve been committed to the sustainability of these majestic creatures and enhancing our understanding of their species. The Lions Currently, we care for 60 lions, each living out their lives within our sanctuary. These regal animals are the Kings and Queens of Glen Garriff, and their presence is awe-inspiring. Visitors have the opportunity to witness these magnific...

  Winnie Mandela (Brandfort): A Town of Resilience and Historical Significance Brandfort—officially renamed Winnie Mandela in 2021—is a small agricultural town in the central Free State, about 60 km northeast of Bloemfontein along the R30. Its quiet streets and weathered buildings hold layered stories: of colonial settlement, wartime suffering, apartheid-era exile, and contemporary efforts to remember and reframe the past. This long-form piece traces the town’s origins, the human costs recorded there, the lives that intersected with it, and what the renaming means for memory, identity, and local futures. Origins and early development The settlement that became Brandfort began in 1866 on the farm Keerom, occupied by Voortrekker elder Jacobus van Zijl. The town took its name from Johannes Brand, then president of the Orange Free State, after his visit to the community. Proclaimed a town in the late 19th century, Brandfort developed as an agricultural service center—its ec...