Graskop, Mpumalanga

Graskop is a small Forestry Town, perched on the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment, a region of Mpumalanga. Graskop is only a few minutes drive from a number of scenic wonders such as: God's Window; Bourke's Luck Potholes and the World renown, Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondawels, as well as spectacular waterfalls such as Lisbon Falls; Berlin Falls and Mac Mac Falls. Graskop is at an altitude of 1,400 m above sea level, has a temperate climate with a high rainfall and is often misty in the Summer months. Graskop is a popular tourist destination and is renown for it's pancake bars and curio shops! Admire a naturally carved, free-standing rock buttress at The Pinnacle Rock, near Graskop. It is a metamorphic rock fringed with vegetation arising from a forest. An observation deck with metal railing allows you to take some good panoramic photos of this 30 m tall quartzite tower, set against the backdrop of a huge crack in the cliff behind. As you stand at the viewpoint, you'll observe this intriguing rock formation fringed with vegetation slightly from above. To the right of the column, you'll notice a small waterfall tumbling into the Ngwaritsane Stream.
Geolocation
30° 49' 22.8", -24° 56' 24"
References
http://www.mpumalanga.com/things-to-do/nature-wildlife/natural-attractions/the-pinnacle-rock-MTATT5392
Further Reading
https://www.booking.com/city/za/graskop.en.html https://www.graskop.co.za/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g424918-d2177676-Reviews-The_Pinnacle_Rock-Graskop_Mpumalanga.html https://www.graskopgorgeliftcompany.co.za/ https://www.foreverblydecanyon.co.za/ https://www.distancesfrom.com/za/distance-from-bushbuckridge-to-Graskop/DistanceHistory/2206386.aspx https://www.sa-venues.com/attractionsmpl/berlin-falls.php https://www.instagram.com/p/CyDjvafPxm0/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D

Pilgrims Rest, Graskop- Mpumalanga Province

In 1873, the Town and surrounding Area was densely populated with prospectors all hoping to make their fortunes in the second of the Transvaal Gold Fields. It was estimated that in the beginning of 1874 there were some 1500 prospectors working around 4000 claims! During the Second Boer War (11 October 1899 - 31 May 1902) the Town of Pilgrim’s Rest was the location of a; Mint that was erected under emergency circumstances and the gold mined was used to make what is now the famous and rare; 'Veld Pond Coin'.

Today the Town today, is a tourist Location that takes visitors back in time to the days of the: 'Gold Rush', in the 1870’s. Everyone dresses accordingly to the Historical Era, when it first became a Tourist Attraction, in 1970. It was changed then very little from its Historical History and is now a protected Historical Site. In 1986 the Town was declared a National Monument.

Geolocation
-24° 54' 13.6736", 30° 45' 1.4053"
References
https://www.pilgrimsrest.org.za/
Further Reading
https://www.lekkeslaap.co.za/akkommodasie-in/pilgrims-rest? https://www.pilgrims-rest.co.za/history/ https://www.tokencoins.com/zar11.htm https://shongololo.com/#:~:text=The%20Shongololo%20Express%20provides%20a,variety%20of%20off%2Dtrain%20excursions. https://www.royalhotelpilgrims.co.za/

Rebecca Makgomo Masilela (nee Kekana)

Affectionately known as ‘Magogo’ (meaning grandmother – a title bestowed to her for her motherly, nurturing character), Rebecca Makgomo Masilela (nee Kekana) was born on 12 December 1928 in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, Transvaal Province (now Gauteng), previously Farm 396, Leeuwkraal. Her father, Abraham Jambo Kekana, who was acting Chief of the Ndebele on three occasions until his death on 6 June 1964, bought Leeuwkraal on behalf of the Ndebele people and later renamed it Kekanastaad.

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