The Eastern Free State borders on the Maluti/Drakensberg mountain range. Unlike the rest of the province, which is mostly a flat high plateau with occasional Koppies (inselbergs), this region is mountainous and beautiful. It reminds me a lot of Florac and the Gorges du Tarn in France where we visited a while ago, with all the sandstone cliffs and caves. The iron content in the rock gives the cliff faces a magical hue in good light. Farming consists of mostly corn and livestock in the surrounding areas. The local people are Basotho, and they speak seSotho as in the rest of the Free State, but with so little industry have not become westernised to the same extent. Artists from all over the country have recolonised towns such as Clarens and Fouriesburg, and if one can stand wading through a mire of trendy kitsch and plain rubbish, there are some original art works and craftmanship also to be seen. The pace here is much slower than in the hub of Gauteng, even if only three hours away from Johannesburg. It therefore is an ideal weekend getaway destination.

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