Phoenix Rises from the Ashes….Again!

- Jeremy Witts-Hewinson -

Travellers can once again browse through goods for sale at the Poort Pourri outside Klaarstroom – attracted by a bunch of dummies nogal!

Many passers-by, from the north as well as local, will remember the Poort Pourri farm stall at the southern entrance to Klaarstroom. Formerly the “white” school, it was closed in the early 1980s and was later transformed by the local Women’s Agricultural Association (W.A.A.), under the leadership of Annie Schoeman and others, into a vibrant country stall selling local produce. When Annie and her husband moved to the coast, the venture was taken over by Marie Gerber, who soon became a legend in her own right. Unfortunately, Marie found that the focus of her entrepreneurial passion was simply too far from her home and the Poort Pourri closed its doors in 2003. An attempt was made by a member of the local community to resurrect it about two years ago, but that venture was short lived and the quaint 1940’s building stood forlorn and empty once again.

Recently Mark and Elmarie Nel from Stellenbosch, who have a holiday house in the binnedorp, have re-opened the stall - albeit in a different form. Using that old technique used by farm stalls in the Western Cape - re-assigning former scare crows in new capacities as bicycle riders, gardeners, wind pump mechanics and even Santa Claus - they have managed to draw attention to the fact that something’s once again afoot in the old school yard! Some observers have already questioned the fact that all the men have been assigned ‘working’ poses, whilst the women are all reclining on the various benches and chairs! Maybe Elmarie is making a statement about old country district perceptions!

Enthusiastically managed by Mark’s father, Lesley Nel, Nellie Wildschutt and Griet Jantjies (they certainly are not simply reclining on chairs like the dummies outside!) the Poort Pourri now offers customers a selection of second hand furniture, bric-a-brac and country antiques as well as the ubiquitous cool drink. Maybe Marie Gerber’s famous country ginger beer will make its re-appearance!

Plans are afoot to set some space aside to have an information desk for the Prince Albert Tourism Office to assist tourists at the Southern Gateway to the Prince Albert district.

Next month in news from Klaarstroom…

The official One Horse Town’s horse gets her first pair of shoes;
And…Silver Ghost spends a night with her old mates in Klaarstroom!