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Ed Ramsay 13-Jan-2021 07:06
Hi Tessa . We lived in Gumtree for many years. My father Cyril Ramsay owned Gumtree Cash Store. I now live in Johannesburg but visit my brother Eric staying in Clocolaan. I recently took a lot of photos of Gumtree where we lived. The place now looks very run down but brought back many memories.


ray hackart 04-Jan-2017 17:35
Stunning images. Have just returned from driving for days in the Eastern Free State. You have captured the essence of it superbly.
Graham Cockrell 27-Dec-2012 12:11
Hi Tessa,
My name is Graham and I cuurently live in Scotland, I loved your photo's on the Gumtree Mill but also very saddened at seeing the deterioration. My dad worked for the mill owned by Snowflake flour for three years in the early fifties, before being transferred to Cape Town. We occupied a company house alongside the rail station. I was told in later years that I had one day wandered over the tracks at the age of four years to pay my dad a visit in the mill.
Presently I am writing my life story which also includes living five years in Wepener from 1955 to 1961. Your photo's are an inspiration to continue my story, at least for my children.
Take care and a very happy New Year.
phuti 29-Nov-2011 12:35
hey i i've always had the interest in the dance.i am in SA AND WOULD would like to visit the reed dance next year,could you please forward me the details:who can attend,where and when it is held and the date.thank you
jabulani 18-Sep-2011 18:44
please email me photos for swazi reed dance
matomola muyauka 14-Apr-2011 12:08
may you mail me some of your photos
Christina Andersson 30-Sep-2010 07:40
Hi Tessa and Vernon.
I would like to talk to you and my phone number is 040-919701
Hugs from Christina.
Robert Hughes 20-Sep-2010 09:56
Tessa, I am tracing family/ancestors and believe that we used to farm in Ficksburg on a farm called Iowa. My great grandfather was Thomas Hughes and his son was Thomas James Hughes and they moved up to Rhodesia in about 1920. Sean Michael Thomas Hughes may be farming on Iowa Farm at the moment but he is not in the telephone directory. If you have contact details or knowledge of him/the farm I would be very interested. Regards Robert Hughes
ALI 26-Aug-2010 16:57
I NEED PITC
john louth 31-Oct-2009 13:00
Tessa, I am putting together a photo album for my mother's 70th birthday and wanted to include an image of Ficksburg where she spent her teenage years. I wonder whether you could let me have (or buy) a photo of Ficksburg. ideally it should be something that won't have changed in the last 55 years - an old building or a landscape shot. Do you think you could help me?

thanks,

John Louth
Guest 27-Aug-2009 14:04
These ladies are, to say the least, loyal to a culture that i believe could hold immense positive values to their people. Most are beautiful. Adorable. A number will need to be polished so as to brighten their chances as models. But then I believe that if teenage girls in most communities -white or black - observe this festival, the images will be about the same as what we see. Bottom line: Youth is beautiful, so don't waste it!
Betty Nyman 17-May-2009 07:28
Wonderful memories for me! Quite by chance I found a piece of my past. Having lived in South Africa (including Gumtree)for 50 years of my life and now so far away. Stunning shots of the Maluti mountains. And the old mill, my daddy used to manage so long ago for SA Milling Co.
joycelyn 08-Mar-2009 03:47
Hi Tessa, iwould like to comment you on your wonderful photo of the, reed dance it is tasefully beautiful you have done a remarkable job,iwent to SWaziland 2005, ienjoy the culture of the people,ialways want to see the reed dance ,thanks to you iview the photo iam carribean so enjoy the culture,keep up the good work >joycelyn >BC canada
Bobby Zachariah 12-Feb-2009 17:55
Tessa; I stumbled on your galleries while browsing and so glad I did. I visited South Africa in 2006 and it is indeed a beautiful country. Hope to go back as there is so much to see. All the best.
Bobby Zachariah 12-Feb-2009 17:53
Tessa; I stumbled on your galleries while browsing and so glad I did. Was
rajendra kumar 04-Oct-2008 09:57
Simple.........Amazing efforts.....No words to commend....Keep it up
Richard 22-Aug-2008 04:45
Magnificent photos of the Reed Dance. You do Africa and the earth honor. Thanks
--Richard, from Canada--
Guest 01-Jun-2008 23:02
I came upon your galleries and was intrigued. I particularly enjoyed the journey to "Destinys Castle", I have a love for castles and a special thril this one, my name is Destiny, I just had to relate. The scenary is breathtaking. Your story taking one to the top...wonderfully done. The Castle , the story behind its existance.. beautifull.
I spent some time in all your galleries, such an enjoyable visit it was. Thank you for capturing, and sharing the beautiful parts of a world, I dream of.
Jack Destiny
john njoroge 07-Apr-2008 16:30
Hi,Africa is wild with beauty.Black is beauty,soon i should be flying down to hunt one.
Bo 29-Jan-2008 22:16
Hello Tessa, Your gallery is great!
Guest 09-Oct-2007 22:08
Have just returned to England after meeting you in Ficksburg at the Gumtree Ladies Lunch Club when I gave a little talk on my book and first saw your magnificent photographs. Your ladies were delightful and i so enjoyed the whole afternoon.The fact that you and Susan came over to Lesotho to see our dinosaur footprints just was so exciting. Didn't know you could speak Zulu! Hope you got some good photos of the footprints. I have spent hours looking at your galleries Tessa - they are superb! They make me so homesick for SA - I loved the Steam at Dawn ones and the Lesotho ones of course - you have a wonderful gift!I looked at the Edwardian experience and saw lots of friends I recognised - dear Janet and Essex and was that Christian from the Polo Farm...you and Vernon at Boschfontein? What a fabulous event..those sillhouettes of the top hats and the bustles and that sky!! wow! Want to revisit the site many more times.
love from Annette.
Tanya and Joey 04-Sep-2006 02:12
Dearest Auntie Tessa
Once again what amazing breathtaking photo's of Ficksburg....ons verlang na die berge. And still when are you comming to visit?
Love Tanya and Joey
Chris 27-Aug-2006 09:53
Hi Tessa
You have a link to the Rainbow Airbridge. Their site has moved. Please change it to the new one. I can't post it here so plreae emial me.
Marion 13-Jul-2006 16:13
Hi Aunty Tessa!
Use this website alot to show Londoners how beautiful SA is! Your Photos are fantastic!
Love Marion.
Alphonse Jong Forchu 02-Jul-2006 15:10
Your galleries are wonderful.I didn't know this type of beauty exist in Africa.
My worry is that King Mswati of Swaziland should do something to stop the spread of AIDS amongst these beautiful girls instead of spending all his time taking new wivies in their rangs.Oh,God save the people of Swaziland and Africa of this pandermic.
Foster Mk 18-Nov-2005 08:45
I've enjoyed myself soo much just by watching the Swazi Reed Dance pictures. It is so lovely that I am even thinking of paying Swaziland a visite.
siyabonga!!
Foster
mosdikro 23-Sep-2005 21:39
hey i need a fresh virgin from swaziland to settle down with her. I am an engineer by qualification love u
LaDean Hughes 16-Sep-2005 14:35
Your pictures are really beautiful and I love the sunsets. They make me want to pack my bags and travel...I have always traveled through others post cards, now I can look on the computer and be where ever I want to be..Thank you for sharing your talent
Gavin Joughin 15-Jun-2005 21:50
Hi Aunt Tessa
Fantastic pictures. Really enjoyed viewing them and seeing beautiful South Africa.
Cheers
Gavin
B Thomas Johnston05-Feb-2005 05:51
Hi Tessa, I've just had a fantastic trip through your galleries. I absolutly love South Africa and also really enjoyed your photos of Lesotho. I've been over to SA and Lesotho 3 times and can't wait for the next trip, whenever that will be.
Thanks very much for sharing,
Ben.
Peter Joughin 24-Jan-2005 05:02
Hello Tessa
Great to read about you,very interesting how many Joughins are round the world,and who are doing what.Keep it up
Cheers
Peter
Joey 17-Oct-2004 16:28
This is the right email the one previous on the message has comma in where it should be a dot. It is very cold here and winter has started. But I just love the fall it is beautiful you will be able to take wonderful pictures here. So hurry up and come and see us
Love Joey
Joey 17-Oct-2004 16:24
Hi my dearest friend,
You are a amazing person with a wonderful gift. I can only wish you lots of luck and hope your work will go from strength to strength.. I Miss you so much wish we could be closer to share our friendship like we use to when we were in SA. It is time to come and visit us in Canada Tess dear!!!
Love Joey
Amber Kisch 21-Sep-2004 14:39
Hi Auntie Toops,

Greetings from the South! I think that your gallery is lovely! Looking forward to seeing ya soon.

Love Ambs.
Mandy & Jason 05-Jul-2004 20:46
Hi Tessa!

Greetings from London...thanks to Dave we got to see your fantastic work as well as a little glimpse of Sarah, Hannah and Kate!! Love your website and look forward to seeing more of your great work.

Take care...
Helen Joughin sen 01-Jul-2004 18:56
The website is great! I have also only just found it. Here's to many more galleries and an ever-expanding collection.
Love
Helen
Erica S 15-Jun-2004 14:19
Well done Tessa!!! May you go from strength to strength
Karl Kispert 09-Jun-2004 16:26
Tessa, Greetings from the USA. I was very happy that Helen has shared this site with me and Lisa. You know I have always loved your work ever since Helen shared it with us almost seven years ago. The images you provided here on this site are excellent. You have captured some beautiful moments with your family. We hope to get over to your part of the world one day to experience what Helen has told us over the past 7 years. All our best to you on your website and our regards to your family. Karl
Michael Wilson 07-Jun-2004 08:31
Auntie Toops,
Greetings from London. Photos are lovely hope to see you soon.
Love Michael
Tessa Joughin04-Jun-2004 20:12
Deareat Joey and Tanya,
Thanks so much, I really wish we could get together over some tea too! The old street has really changed and there are a bunch of new children who have moved in this month and we old fogies are moving out! I am glad the street is staying young, it is a good place for kids to play in! You must be so excited, I really wish we could come over for the wedding. But maybe one of these days we will be able to afford to travel. (We should be, because we will be saving a lot by moving from here into one of Vernon's houses!) Much love to you all. Tessa
Joey and Tanya 03-Jun-2004 04:12
Dearest Tannie Tessa
You are blessed with such a magnificent talent. Mom and I love looking at you photo's and we wish we could sip tea and talk about them! When are you commig over?

Love and best wishes
Tanya and Joey
Babs 20-May-2004 13:00
Yippee skips! Well done on your magniff photos!