MATJIESFONTEIN
- INTRODUCTION:
Matjiesfontein, fondly known as The Grand Duchess of the Karoo, was
established by a colourful, entrepreneurial Scot, James D Logan.
Matjiesfontein, once a lonely spot where locals gathered reeds from the
banks of the Baviaans River to weave into rush mats. Perhaps it would have
meandered quietly down the years in this tranquil way had it not been for
the Cape Colonial Railways and a shrew Scot.
Matjiesfontein is also Afrikaans for Fountain of Little Mats
and this picturesque little village is situated
just off the N1 almost halfway between Cape Town (240km) and
Beaufort West (220km) and remains a popular stop-over for train passengers and
motorists alike.
It is recommendable to spend a night in the
historical luxury hotel, however, legend has it that ghosts
rove around at night. Fortunately jolly ones. At times people
hear laughing and the sound of billiard balls in empty rooms.
