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Worldwide, heritage tourism is the fastest growing area of tourism, attracting 1 in 4 of all visitors to a country.

THE CARTWHEEL - newsletter

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"THE GATE" - DE POORT c. 1890

Frequently asked questions

• When will De Poort Village be open to the public?
Answer: Phase 1 will open to visitors in 2009. The heritage centre will be open year-round.

• Who owns De Poort and who will run it?
Answer: De Poort is owned by De Poort Village - a not for profit section 21 company. De Poort is community based and driven. It is run by a board of volunteers elected at our Annual General Meeting with local government and heritage organisations as partners. The vision for De Poort is to develop a sustainable community enterprise that benefits the economy of the area and helps to regenerate the historic station precinct.

• Where is De Poort Village being built?
Answer: On public land - 1km from the main N1 highway in Suider Paarl. It borders Main Road and extends to the historic Paarl station precinct. The location is a beautiful site which our families have traditionally used for picnics, sports and games. The land has been rezoned for construction of the heritage village and leased to De Poort for 25 years by the municipality. It is a phased development, each will pay its way - and create more sustainable opportunties in the future.

• What is a heritage village?
Answer: The concept is based on the demand for heritage tourism - a big draw-card for local and international visitors. People want an interactive experience where they can enjoy bringing the past to life. A good example is the very successful Sovereign Hill heritage centre at Ballarat in Australia.

• Will De Poort create jobs for local people?
Answer: Yes. De Poort puts locals first. Business, tenders and job opportunities will be for local people. Most of the work will benefit the many people in our community who were previously and historically disadvantaged (PDI and HDI). In addition to the construction, staffing and servicing of the village, De Poort will create sustainable employment and income for local crafters, homeworkers and people with disabilities. Phase 1 will also provide workshops and seminar space for skills training courses.

• What activities will there be for children?
Answer: Loads! De Poort will offer fun and affordable days out for the whole family. We have years of experience organising successful Heritage Days. These popular events brought the community together and helped to generate the energy and enthusiasm for De Poort. Locals and visitors will enjoy a variety of activities and events - picnics under the pines, traditional live music from all communities, craft demonstrations, interactive displays, cart rides, heritage games, craft and organic produce market, period clothing, photography, foods and gifts. In future we plan to build a period theatre,a restaurant serving Cape-Malay and traditional meals and a school-room where visiting scholars can take class.

• Where does the name De Poort come from?
Answer: The name De Poort reminds the visitor and local that Southern Paarl was once known as “The Gate” and that the town is the Gateway on the route over the Berg River and the mountain barriers to the north.

• What sort of crafts and traditional skills will you be promoting?
Answer: Think of going back in time to the boom period when our valley was known a the "wa-makers vallei" - literally the valley of the wagon makers. De Poort Heritage Village will showcase the shared skills of our forefathers and mothers in a way that is inclusive of all the communities in our valley. Together we will bring to life the cart, wagon and carriage makers - blacksmiths, carpenters and joiners, farriers, harness-makers, coopers, wheelwrights, upolsterers. De Poort will create an authentic feel for life at the time by sharing our common heritage of the boom period - clothing, lacemaking, toys, basket weaving, organic farming, cart driving, grooming, traditional foods, shops, school-room and theatre.

• Can I sell my handicrafts at De Poort?
Answer: Yes. On condition they are authentic and suit the ethos and heritages at De Poort. You will be able to lease a small workshop on site or send handiwork for sale in our shops and take part in the craft and barrow market. You will also be invited to attend craft and skills training courses so that you can learn new skills and supply the craft market. We encourage you to look at our list of ways to work with De Poort and to register your interest with us today.

• How can I get involved?
Answer: De Poort will depend on community support and volunteers - we call them Friends of De Poort. You can volunteer your expertise on our organising committees for infra-structure, fundraising, research, craft promotion and events. You can demonstrate traditional crafts and take part in activities like cart rides and preparing traditional food. You can donate heritage artefacts linked to the themes at De Poort. There are many opportunities for sponsors. You can help train young people and volunteers, organise heritage games, restore artefacts. We encourage you to look at our list of ways to support De Poort and to register your interest with us today.

Here in Paarl in the late 19th century, we can see final assembly of a line of Cape Carts or 'Kapkars' - the symbol of De Poort. This factory was just one of several hundred businesses that made up the local transport industry.

While the industry has all but disappeared, important remnants of the skills and craftsmanship remain in the valley. This heritage embraces all in the community - De Poort will be a focus for preserving and celebrating this.

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