New Plan To Boost Smithfield’s Appeal

A new incentive, called “Come To Smithfield” is to be launched which aims at rebuilding Smithfield’s tourism appeal once the current roadwork is behind us, and to place more
emphasis on the town as an end destination for tourists instead of primarily an overnight stop. The success of the scheme depends entirely on the wholehearted active support of all concerned – because we all stand to benefit.

All existing tourism-related activities such as guesthouses and restaurants, as well as other would-be participants with ideas for extending the tourism facilities in or near the town, will be consulted and urged to become directly involved in the project. All interested parties are being contacted to ensure the maximum possible active support to work
together in the interests of the town – and therefore of their own businesses. This is a high unemployment region; the success of the programme would have the added attraction of job creation, tourism being generally regarded as a high employment industry. With this in mind, it is to be hoped that both provincial authorities and the municipality would show their support.

Inevitably, there would be a spin-off for this entire area, as increased tourism activity here would open up other parts of the southern Free State.

Long-standing aim
The long-standing aim of guesthouses working together has been to attract more attention among visitors wishing to spend longer than one night in the town.

To achieve this, ideas will be canvassed to create more facilities. Not only would this open up more potential for existing businesses but it would attract others to provide facilities not already offered in Smithfield.

Attractions which have been apparent for some time, are the considerable activity in arts and crafts (such as the immensely successful quilting club and the emergence of local artists and other crafters).

The “Come to Smithfield” initiative would aim to develop the tourism appeal of these and others, and to attract their involvement.

Hiking in the surrounding mountains was once a popular activity for visitors.
Reintroduction of defined trails and guides would be welcomed, as would means of attracting more mountain bikers.

When the Caledon River is flowing strongly, past experience has shown it has a great appeal for anglers, while the Smithfield Dam is also seen to have an enormous
tourism potential.

Keeping the dam full
It is believed that an effort must again be made to encourage the municipality to put into effect a system which would ensure that the dam never again runs dry.

On the one hand a full dam guarantees sufficient water  to keep the town supplied while it would also provide an outstanding attraction for visitors. The reintroduction of a quality caravan park offering full facilities has long been considered desirable.

Many years ago, boating was a popular activity on the dam and could be re-introduced, while fishing would be a natural additional activity.

A year to get it right
We have about a year in which to get “Come to Smithfield” up and running as a highly professional marketing programme.

By then both the N6 and the village roads should have been completed, which in themselves will go a long way to enhancing Smithfield’s appeal.

But a year passes very quickly. It is necessary to get cracking without delay.

David Geere can be contacted for further information on 051 683 0021 or 083 556 24360.

Snow in Smithfield

Looking up Church street during the snow… it’s freezing!!!

Massive Voltage Overload Causes Crisis in Town

Smithfield businesses and home-owners faced damages running into hundreds of
thousands of Rands – perhaps even as high as R1-million – caused by a massive voltage overload on the town‘s electricity system on Friday, 9 June.

Virtually every business in the centre of town, as well as many households, suffered damage to, and even destruction of, electronic and electrical equipment. A potentially
serious fire in Artists’ Colony guesthouse was extinguished only when a geyser in the
immediate vicinity of the flames burst, flooding water over the flames and dousing them.

The town’s problem resulted from a sudden massive electrical overload in which the system, designed to carry 220 volts, suddenly faced a surge of 450 volts which damaged, and in some cases ruined, microwave ovens, computers, refrigerators and many other electrical appliances.   But the impact of this severe electrical fault was made much greater by the effect on business earnings, the hours of lost manpower and by the fact that not all damage was covered by insurance.

Virtually everyone, business and private, in the main street area experienced devastating damage to many types of equipment. One of the worst hit businesses was Monument Motors. Grethe Bighi told Smiffie  that petrol pumps, which are a vital part of the business, were seriously affected, as were all parts of the allied electronics system. The company’s entire computer systems were destroyed, as were motherboards, airtime- and other machines. Some of the electronics were virtually new, having only been installed two months earlier.

Flickering Lights
Marli Jacobs described how suddenly flickering lights in the OVK offices were
followed by a loud bang and smoke pouring from seriously damaged refrigerators, electronic equipment and various pumps. Her computers were saved by their UPS plugs. At Nick’s Place, four microwave ovens were put out of commission and baking disrupted by damage to equipment.

The voltage overload was caused by a fault developing in the transformer situated in the old market, which serves much of the business area as well as some residential properties in the central area. The failure of the neutral element in the transformer sent the massive 450 volt surge of power through systems capable of handling only 220 volts, with devastating effects.

Coming on top of the serious effect roadwork is having on village life – and has had for the past two years – Smithfielders are understandably feeling more than slightly punch-drunk. Work on President Hoffmann Street is currently at its most disruptive. However hard the contractors try to maintain some form of access to stores and offices on the street, disruption has been so great that some businesses doubt their ability to avoid bankruptcy.

Disruption in town
Predating the Rainbow Construction debacle, life in the town has been disrupted. At the outset the roadwork on the N6 between Reddersburg and Bloemfontein caused delays in reaching the capital. These delays were compounded by work on the Reddersburg to Paryshoogte stretch and even more so when reconstruction of the section of the N6 to Smithfield was undertaken.

The journey for Smithfielders has become increasingly uncomfortable and more time consuming. Where once Bloem was a little more than an hour away, now it can take two hours to two-and-a half hours. And for motorists from other parts of the country, who would normally make up an important part of day to day business for Smithfield, there are other, more agreeable routes to take.

Small wonder that, however hard the contractors try to lessen the adverse effects of their presence, they can never become the flavour of the month. At least their contribution to the town will ultimately be a positive one.

Update on Smithfield Runner

By Rose Lund

Our resident marathon runner, Paseka (John) Novasi, featured first in our November 2011 issue and again on page 17 of the March issue of the Smiffie Newspaper , is a very happy chappy. He recently received a pair of brand-new Asics all the way from London per kind generosity of family of Gerrie and Hester Potgieter. Gerrie himself is an accomplished marathon runner.

John is still training diligently, and hopefully more effectively in his new shoes; and is keenly looking forward to running the Two Oceans Marathon taking place this Easter weekend 6 & 7 April. However, finances are still a huge stumbling block for John and time is running short. He urgently needs sponsoring to cover travel and food costs. We call on all Smithfielders to please support a man who is a credit to our village.

All donations will be gratefully received, no matter how large or small. Donors can also contact Rose Lund 083 263 7923.

 

Restaurants in Smithfield

Buckleys Restaurant and Pub in Smithfield 051 683 0021
Art, Accommodation, Parking, Pub, Restaurant
  

 

 

Smiffie Runner Wins More Medals

By Rose Lund

In November 2011 Smiffie featured a Smithfield man whose passion is running. Shortly after his story broke, John Novasi ran in the 42k Soweto Marathon. Despite crippling cramp, he completed the race in less time than his previous attempt, garnering himself another medal.

After this, John registered for the Two Oceans Race in April, as well as Comrades. Since Comrades is not open to individual runners, he successfully applied for membership to the Transnet Rail Engineering Athletics Club.

Last month on 11 February John ran in the Kloppers/ Adidas Festival of Running 42k marathon. The route starts and finishes at the Nedbank Achilles Sports Centre. It is moderately flat but includes some demanding hill work. This marathon is normally the first Comrades and Two Oceans qualifier of the year in the Bloemfontein area. John came 15th in a time of 2hrs56 and can be seen in the photo proudly wearing his latest medal and new club colours.

John is now waiting for his Comrades number, due in March. Meanwhile, he is following his club’s training programme. He practices faithfully morning and evening and has included the Smithfield Mountain in his training route.

When asked what else he would like to have, John replied that it would be great if the Mohokare Municipality could organise regular Friendly Marathons in Smithfield. If not the municipality, who else is prepared to pick up this baton? Is it perhaps too late for the Bibberchill?

Ilyas Vawda of Factory Shop, and Mr Papi Ntamane from Bloemfontein, have been John’s primary sponsors, to whom he is deeply grateful. However, we appeal to all Smithfielders to help this fine role model from our town. Expenses for 2 Oceans and Comrades include transport, accommodation, and food (at least R5 000). And he STILL needs good running shoes!!

TV Crew Here For Documentary

In Smithfield recently was a television crew preparing a documentary on the history of the Free State, with emphasis on the relationship between Basotho King Moshesh and President Hoffmann.

Aimed at the local and international markets, the film aims to expose Free Staters to their history. To achieve this, interviews are being conducted with leading authorities on the subject, among them historians and missionaries.

Jan Le Roux Pieterse showed the team over the museum – which is currently being given a much needed clean-up and the garden re-established. He also explained various aspects of local history before taking them on a visit to Beersheba, which figured so prominently during the various Basotho wars.

In the picture, Mr Pieterse, who was responsible for the complete rebuilding of Ou
Grietjie, explains the workings of the historic old cannon to Kalosi Ramakhula and Napo Malatiana, of Moroka-Pule Productions, the TV production house.