no advertorials
We are still surprised when advertisers ask us to write an article on their businesses. In some cases they are prepared to pay for such an “advertorial”, in others they offer a barter deal involving free accommodation or suchlike.
Although advertorials are common practice with most South African magazines and newspapers these days, we believe our readers and advertisers are best served by keeping advertising separate from articles. By publishing factually correct and interesting editorial matter – with the help of our growing panel of contributors – an environment is created in which a proper advertisement shares in this credibility. The uncluttered, structured layout of our pages is also aimed at making information accessible, and advertisements more visible.
Our position on this has often been validated by comments from readers, who generally say they hate to start reading an article, only to discover that it is in fact an advertisement in disguise.
So, Village Life is not going to change – there are more than enough stories waiting to be told to fill its pages for a long time to come. We trust you will keep on enjoying our efforts!
cover picture
Before the advent of telephones and other modern means of personal communication, picture postcards played a central role in social networking. They also offer a record of the scenes and people of their time. Carol Hardijzer, who does research on the history of photography in South Africa, looks at some postcards from a hundred years ago – page 8
contents
2: At the office
Letters from readers and other important matters
3: At the office
Letters and other important matters: More than 700 people attend the launch of Annalize Mouton's book Portrait of a Village
4: Well over 100 years old… and still counting
There is uncertainty about Mrs Rachel Lamini’s exact age, but sprightly she certainly is. By Annalize Mouton
6: The face of South Africa
A display of pumpkins is a reminder of the old way of life in Gamkaskloof, the once-secluded valley in the Swartberg
8: Old postcards tell their stories
Carol Hardijzer looks at the role of picture postcards a century ago
12: Kniphofia is a red-hot number
Charles and Julia Botha introduce Red-hot Pokers in the garden
18: The Diary of Iris Vaughan
Our fifth excerpt from this charming diary written by a young girl a century ago: Life in Adelaide, with gas lamps and Guy Fox Guy
22: Chrissiesmeer: wetlands under threat
This pristine nature area in Mpumalanga Province will disappear if proposed mining goes ahead, writes Lindsey Sanderson
28: Lend a hand with the Butterfly Atlas Project
Steve Woodhall explains how anyboy can help to identify and map the butterflies in South Africa
32: Doornboom rises from the mud
Herman Fourie recounts how he and other volunteers set about saving this farm house in Heidelberg, Cape Province, dating from c.1728
38: The demise of the ‘trekbokken’
Herds of millions of springbok and other game once thundered across the Karoo. The last such migration took place in 1896, writes Steve Moseley
42: Drawn on stone
Dr Duncan Miller discusses the rock paintings of the Cederberg
48: The Heron and the eel
Nico Myburgh tells the story of an eel that got away – and has the pictures to prove it. Read full text
52: Call it paella or potjie
We share some more recipes from our Country Table, this time a delicious pot of mixed seafood
54: Camera work
J L du Plessis explains how he managed to get the flower inside the drop of water
56: Tail piece
A young baboon meets some friends
