Tulbagh Info Information
www.tulbagh.net
Tulbagh Information Portal of the town and the Tulbagh Valley, in the heart of the Witzenberg area
of the Winelands, Western Cape, South Africa. Offering topics of Interest on Property, Rentals, Real Estate info,
Accommodation, Wine, Olives, Tourism and general information on the pulse of the Valley.
 |
Home |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
This Tulbagh Information site has been designed to provide a frequently updated Information site for the whole community of the Tulbagh Valley and for tourists and Tourism in general. It offers a means of identifying each to the other, increasing communication between the Community and for visitors and others elsewhere wishing to make local contacts and to benefit from local info. A valley where wine is made to enjoy, property is still affordable and where there are great places where you can make your stay in varied selected accomodation establishments all over the valley.
What makes it all happen? What is the attraction? What is the magic that tourists and residents alike find so appealing? This lovely secluded valley is simply a delight to experience and especially the farms and the general countryside in all seasons! The valley is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate and it is a winter rainfall area. Wine, olives, fruit, wheat, meat products, vegetables, canned fruit products, organic commodities and leather shoes are but a few of the products produced here.
This is a closely knit and cosmopolitan community that is well structured and organised. We know what we have and it is for you to experience!
Think about life on a wine, fruit, or olive farm then think about the Tulbagh valley!
Meet the people and discover their warmth and hospitality for this is the accommodation destination for the tourist looking for a place to stay whilst touring the Western Cape.
The demand for accommodation is increasing steadily as a result of the valley becoming a chosen weekend retreat for Tourists and the city dwellers of Cape Town, a country Wedding venue and a central base destination for overseas and local travelers wishing to tour the Winelands. There are excellent places to stay at in the Tulbagh Valley and including Mountain and Farm Cottages, on Wine Estates, as well as Home Stays, Guest Houses, Guest cottages, Chalets, Caravan Parks, Camping grounds, Country Inns and Backpacking Hostels in the Valley.
The site is intended to compliment the efforts of individuals, organisations and others in promoting Tulbagh and the Valley, the Winelands / Boland and it's community as well as Rocky Valley Country Properties and their wonderful portfolio of Country Property / Real Estate countryside investment products in this valley and all over the Country.
Learn all about this wonderful innovative and industrious community and get all the latest news! Learn about the challenges that the this community faces. Make contacts for exports and property investment opportunities.Plan your wedding or conference here! Join in our wonderful annual events!Sample the cusine and one of the numerous restaurants for a real treat in good food and ambiance!View the famous Historic Church Street with it's Cape Dutch ArchitectureDo some Bird Watching, Wine Tasting, Horse riding, Jogging, Mountain Climbing, Hiking, 4 x 4 Off-roading and Mountain Biking. If you are doing a tour on the famous Route 62, pop in to Tulbagh as we are on that Route. Come for the weekend, come for the week, come for good and get back to your roots!Paid Advertisers
Place your logo here with a direct link to your website or email address!
Check advertisng tariffs by clicking on the 'advertising' link.
 |
Latest news posts!
22 January, 2012
Councillor John Veschini - VIP Party submits motions (Set no. 5) to the Witzenberg Municipality
17 January, 2012
Councillor John Veschini sent a letter to the Witzenberg Municipality about Library hours. It has been brought to my attention from a number of sources in various entities of the Witzenberg that some people are dissatisfied with that fact that Libraries are not open on at least a Saturday morning. In all cases the motivation for this is that adults mostly work throughout the week and therefore have no access to a library when they have the opportunity to visit one - only to find the facility closed.
My suggestion is that arrangements are made with the staff of libraries to take hours off on a Friday and fill same in on a Saturday morning? Scholars will not be under pressure if they miss out on a Friday afternoon for assignments that they have to prepare for on the following Monday as long as they have an opportunity to do at least on a Saturday morning. This arrangement will satisfy all ages? We have to cater for the working adults too as it is the right thing to do?
6 January, 2012
Yet another two timber temporary shacks burnt to the ground in Tulbagh in the last week. The firefighters arived when it was all but over.
The VIP Party has already raised this issue of our apparent tardy fire fighting capabilities with the Municipality in its last Motions (Set no. 4)
22 December, 2011
Councillor John Veschini - VIP - Voice of independents Party and Councillor at the Witzenberg Municipaliy, publishes the latest salary or remuneration packages of the Councillots, those who are permanent (in other words in the full emloyment of the Municipality and those who are part time Councillors - who probably do just as much work as the full time Councillors for their community, or more?) - just for the information of the public.
16 December, 2011
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party wishes all a merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy new year and grateful thanks for your support during this past year. We achieved a lot so far but there is more work to be done. You are assured that we will be looking after your interests during 2012.
14 December, 2011
Results of Council deliberations about the motions of the VIP achieved something. The most notable decision was that bids will be called for in respect of a possible long term lease of a defined area which includes the Klip River Park in its present form with a bit of space for expansion. After 10 years of losses, and procrastination, Council finally came to its senses! The bidder may also be given an opportunity to acquire extra land? It was agreed that the surrounding land will be defined and dealt with separately for alienation provided that at least one piece of land will be set aside as a picnic spot for the community and will include a public pool to replace that which is inside the defined area to be leased with the Klip River Park. In respect of the motion regarding the donation of land for Huis Disa Old age home, the matter will be work shopped as there are implications regarding Councils land disposal policy which will now be work shopped before a decision can be made. The VIP is optimistic that a positive decision will be made after the 'nitty gritties' have been resolved. For an update on what happened in respect of the other motions look at the comments below the motions themselves.
22 November, 2011
Councillor John Veschini on behalf of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party submits Motions to the Witzenberg Municipal Council - Set No. 4
22 November, 2011
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party, submits an urgent Motion for the forthcoming Council meeting requesting information from the Municipality of the Witzenberg as to the extent (of the possible liability to the Municipality and therefore the Ratepayer) in respect of legal cases pending against the Municipality - which are understood to substantially exceed R20 million! A letter written by the Councillor to the Municipal Manager on 23rd August, 2011, requesting details have to date been ignored. Given the fact that we are heading for a new budget year, it is critical to be prepared for any contingencies and know the details of the cases for decisions to be made? Surely?
21 November, 2011
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party, is becoming increasingly concerned about the fact that the DA led Municipal Council does not appear to do enough to encourage development. In the VIP motion to Council on 12 July, 2011 this very same concern was raised including the formation of a sub-committee for the purpose of evaluating the potential for development within the Municipality, assessing approved developments and establishing what the Municipality can do to accelerate the process of development. It should be very clear to Council, that Rates, Service Charges and Tariffs have reached a point whereby they have become unreasonably punitive to the Ratepayer, Consumer and Resident. An expanded Rates base is critical to wealth creation and a sense of contentment by the Ratepayer and the Consumer. The Councillor believes that the Consumer and the Ratepayer are paying enough and any increases that are proposed for 2012 will be vigorously opposed.
18 November, 2011
Provision of land for further expansion of the Tulbagh Old Age home. - Written requests have been made by Huis Disa for the Municipality to donate Erf
23 (which lies adjacent to Huis Disa) to the Old Age Home. The Home is filled to capacity and has no land for expansion. The VIP requests that a decision by
Council must be made on this matter as the extra land is sorely needed for an expanding aged population. This was part of an urgent Motion to Council on 12 July, 2011. No decision has yet been made - 4 months later. In fact it has not even been tabled at the relevant committee for discussion?
14 November
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party submits his final proposals for the consideration of Council for a decision on the future of the Tulbagh Klip River Park. It is hoped that Council will finally come to this decision after near on 10 years of procrastination and community participatory consultative meetings. The Park currently loses over R800,000 per annum (not including the cost of maintenance. Council is surely aware of the losses and is aware of the sentiments of the public by now?
10 November, 2011
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party voices concern to the Witzenberg Council about a possible water crisis for Tulbagh this summer.
7 November, 2011
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party is not happy about an apparent superfluous DA Portfolio Committee of Rural Economic development and planning, the manner in which that portfolio committee is being managed and the fact that the Portfolio Chairperson appears to be running his own law practice whilst he is supposed to be a full time Councillor and a member of the Mayoral Executive Committee. That means the Ratepayer is paying his salary as a full time Councillor and he is possibly running his business in Council time? Is this not against the Code of Conduct of Councillors and if so, why is the DA condoning this situation?
12 October, 2011
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party, has pleasure in advising the public of the dates of all Committee meetings and the Council Meetings for October to December. Any members of the public are entitled to attend in terms of legislation but may not partake in the discussions. If any matters are held in committee, the public will be obliged to leave the meeting.
5 October, 2011
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party, differs substantially with the DA ruling Party of the Witzenberg Municipality over the proposed amendments to the 'Adjustment of Indigent and Credit Control Policies' of the Witzenberg Municipal Council.
20 September, 2011
Clr. John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party commends the Witzenberg Municipal Manager and his administration. From what the Councillor has observed, the administration has adequately qualified and diligent management.
18 September, 2011
The DA Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, Development and Planning, Mr. Anton Bredell, responds to the Letter written to him by Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party in respect of the appeal against the airstrip. In his letter he gives many reasons why the appeal were not considered (as where at least the appeals of at least four other parties including the Witzenberg Municipality) but he does not of course tell us why he approved the Airstrip which will negatively affect the chances of success of most needed developments in the first place? It is not amazing how decisions are made in Cape Town for Tulbagh and how one sphere of Government appears to work against the interests of another? The letter is added to the correspondence for general information. Is this airstrip sound planning? Does the one hand know what the other hand is doing? Why did we have to be placed in a position to have to appeal against a decision like this in the first place? You be the judge?
7 September, 2011
Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party, writes a letter to the DA Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, Development and Planning, Mr. Anton Bredell. The Minister declined to consider the appeals by numerous members of the community of Tulbagh regarding his decision to allow an airstrip to be constructed adjacent to approved developments and the town of Tulbagh. Full text of the correspondence available for the information of the public.
1 September, 2011
Clr. John Veschini of the VIP - Voce of Independents Party, requests information from the Municipality of the Witzenberg on 23rd August, 2011, regarding legal cases which the Municipality are involved with and which may have substantial financial implications for the Ratepayer of the Witzenberg. As of today's date the Councillor has not had a response. More to follow if the Councillor does not get a satisfactory answer?
25 August, 2011
Clr. John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party provides details of Capital Projects underway or planned in the Witzenberg Municipality for the period 2011 to 2012 for public knowledge. Cashflow projection as well as photos of the Township development's of Phase, 1, 2 and 3 of the Low Cost hosting project with project details overlaid for Tulbagh.
21 August, 2011
Latest intended route of the 765kv power line published for general information.
16 August, 2011
The VIP Party submits an urgent motion to the Witzenberg Municipal Council that a motion be tabled as a matter of urgency at the next Council meeting, to the effect that; All `Delegations' to anyone, any department, (the granting of delegated powers to anyone to commit Council to expenditure (such as appointments of consultants, attorneys, advocates, contractors etc.) which the ratepayer basically pays for) over the limit of a maximum of R5,000, be suspended with immediate effect, unless the Mayor approves same or such `Delegations' have been approved by a full and duly constituted meeting of the Witzenberg Municipal Council.
4 August, 2011
Due to the number of requests for more information on the community housing project in Tulbagh. Clr. John Veschini of the VIP Party publishes the township layout for general information. Note that the project will be developed over three phases. As soon as practically possible, it is hoped that a programme of the works and other projects underway or planned for in Tulbagh, will also be published for general information. (Use 'View' then Zoom on your IE browser if you wish to enlarge)
13 July, 2011
The VIP Party submits motions for the July Council meeting (Motion set No. 2).
12 July, 2011
The VIP Party submits motions for the July Council meeting (Motion set No. 1).
2 July, 2011
It appears as though the public of Tulbagh, as well as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (“DEA&DP”) have been mislead?
Why should there bean approval for an illegal use of an airstrip so close to Tulbagh, so as to be a total noise nuisance and a threat to proposed developments when the same applicant has had another perfectly acceptable airfield that has bee used for YEARS and is still being used currently?
This is not fair!! How can the DEA&DP approve the illegal use without first checking the facts? The original airstrip is sufficiently far away from the town so as not to bother anyone in the town or affect development that is so sorely needed! Do you wish to see the photos and the facts? click below. Do you feel you should appeal this decision? Email the webmaster at info@tulbagh.net to get the documents sent to you. Time is of the essence to get your Appeal in on time!!
28 June, 2011
In terms of Section 24 (G) and by virtue of the powers conferred on the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (“DEA&DP”) by the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (“NEMA”), as amended, the Department has granted environmental authorisation on 21 June 2011 for the abovementioned proposed activity, subject to the conditions of approval. Attached are the reasons for this decision. In short it means that the continued use of the airstrip for agricultural and emergency purposes has been approved. Anyone wishing to appeal against this decision must do so within 20 days of the Minister's decision on 22 June. Click below for further information of the decision and how to appeal the decision. It seems like one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing in these government departments? Now the air strip will most certainly destroy any chance of development of the Lifestyle Village and Golf Estate and other adjacent developments with Tulbagh and the Witzenberg need to increase their Rates base, with the sound of the aircraft influencing negatively any potential Purchasers from buying? What's more we can be assured that the power lines will be lit up at night? To see the written approval, click below.
20 June, 2011
The IEC approves the substitution of John Veschini in place of Sofia (Maina) Joubert as a Proportional Councillor on the Witzenberg Municipality. The VIP is now on Council.
18 June, 2011
Webmaster decides to publish the proposed route of the 765kv power lines across the Tulbagh valley in the interests of the community. Letters written to the Consultants and Eskom in April 2011, requesting permission to display the route map were ignored.
9 June, 2011
Article in the Tulbagh eNews No. 493 of 8 June, 2011 by Anthony Silberberg and the response by John Veschini of the fledgling VIP - Voice of Independents Party
9 June, 2011
Tulbagh looses its eight year old fight to prevent the first mega power line corridor from traversing this valley. There will ultimately be two such approx. 50 metre high power lines in that corridor and now there is the prospect of the Bantams Klip / Kappa power lines coming this way too. National Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms. B Molewa, approved the powerline on 7 June 2011. One of the immediate implications of the Minister’s decision is that, in accordance with the Minister’s original Record of Decision dated 12 June 2006, Eskom may now commence with construction activities of the proposed transmission line, but must do so in compliance with all of the conditions contained in that Record of Decision. The consultants and Eskom still apparently refuse to provide a photo of the new route for public consumption despite requests to do so.
21 May, 2011
The VIP - Voice of Independents Party makes its assessment of the Local Government Elections of 18 May, 2011
21 May, 2011
The Local Government Elections in South Africa went off smoothly and was judged to be free and fair. On a local level, there was much excitement and a fantastic sprit between the party's to make it a memorable occasion. There were of course surprises but more of that later? A few photos were taken of the locals doing their thing. Results are also available for general information.
2 May, 2011
The Witzenberg Municipality has approved their Budget on 20 April, 2011 and did not even consider (or even circulate to Councillors) any of the comments made in the comment letter (which they invited as part of the process) and they had until 31 May, 2011 to adopt the Budget! One must now seriously consider whether the two main political parties, the ANC and the DA as well as the NPP (a small Party - in coalition with the ANC, which has enabled the ANC to be in power) and the officials of the Municipality are in complicity for (all for their own reasons) in rushing the adoption of this Budget approval at the detriment of the Tulbagh ratepayer and resident despite that so many towns all over the country have until 31 May to above their budgets?. You know your local government? Why did they have to rush the adoption of the budget? You be the judge as to who the driving it for their own ends?
18 April, 2011
Ratepayer and resident, encumbent Chairperson of TRIF (Tulbagh Residents and Inwoners Forum) and current Interim Leader of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party submits comments of the Witzenberg Draft Budget for 2011 to 2012. Are small towns amalgamated with the large towns such as in our case Tulbagh with Ceres, beneficial to our Ratepayers?
14 April, 2011
Are people fed up with the major Political parties? - Makes one wonder if the assumption that we are right in our belief that generally people are fed up with the performance of the larger Parties at Local Government level and are demanding their own public representatives chosen by them to represent them of their respective Councils? Check out the number of Parties in each province as well as the number of Independents who registered with the IEC?
12 April, 2010
The political Parties list their Proportional Party lists. Generally, this means that if a Ward Councillor fails, there is always a chance for those who have not been the No. 1 choice of their Parties, or who have not the guts to stand forward as a Ward candidate, may just get a chance at second place and depending on the number of votes achieved by their Parties, they may get in as Proportional Councillors.
12 April, 2011
Witzenberg Ward Candidates approved by the IEC on 12 April, 2011. See who are to be the Ward Candidates for the Local Government Elections on 18 May, 2011 and which Party they represent? Witzenberg Ward Candidates approved by the IEC on 12 April, 2011. See who are to be the Ward Candidates for the Local Government Elections on 18 May, 2011 and which Party they represent? Makes one wonder why so many Parties are fielding candidates? Maybe, people are just sick and tired of Big Party 'political power games'? Have there EVER been so many Parties in SA's democratic history? Has there ever been clear evidence that people need change? Check out how some of the Parties simply put the same names for Ward candidates in half a dozen different Wards. How can they possibly serve all those Wards? See how their Parties have 'deployed' or 'appointed' them to Wards which they don't even live in? See others which you (or anyone else) have not even heard of in the community? See who are to be the Ward Candidates for the Local Government Elections on 18 May, 2011 - check out their backgrounds?
5 April, 2011
How our community suffers in the most degrading of circumstances! This link will lead to a sense of awareness as to how the poorest of the poor have been exploited by the major Political parties for their votes and nothing else? These pictures depict the squalor and grossly unhygienic circumstances that some of our community are forced to live under. The Chickens eat and drink from these polluted run-off's and streams and the people eat the Chickens! The children also play in this! Ask yourselves one question? Can you trust any of the major political parties for your vote? Can you trust the Municipality? Let's face it, they have ample opportunity to reveal to us what we are paying for and how many more generations it will take for them to do the right thing?
15 January 2011
The V.I.P (Voice of independendents Party) has a new website.
The need for an Independent Political Party to represent voters, residents and ratepayers in towns all over the country, has become apparent due to the undue negative influence on Local Governance that the Larger Political Parties have. This dominance of and the continuous in-fighting and power struggles which are occurring all over the country at Local Government level, does not benefit the communities of the towns and villages in terms of service delivery. While they are paying their political games, the municipalities are becoming dysfunctional. In the case of the Witzenberg Municipality, the Council has not been able to function for about three months due to there being no Mayor and Mayoral Executive Council. Then finally, the one large Party (the ANC) got 'into bed' with a smaller Party and they managed to convene a Council meeting to elect their Mayor (from the smaller Party) and their Mayoral Executive Council and then..... they went into their 'seasonal' recess!! All this time Mr. or Mrs. Ratepayer, you have been paying the Salaries of these 'don't care a damb' Councillors! So what do we do about it? We MUST get our own people elected to be OUR public representatives. They MUST be accountable to us. They must not be Large Party 'cadre deployments' or 'appointees. They must reside in our municipality and in their Wards? There must be no more jobs for the 'pals' or the loyalists of these large Parties.!! We have come up with a solution which we believe will work!
4 December, 2010
An application for the registration of a new political Party has been submitted to the IEC. The name of the Party will be - VIP - Voice of Independents Party. It is hoped to soon attain 500 signatures and thus enable the Party to contest elections in any Municipality anywhere in South Africa.
See more
17 November, 2010
DA Councillor, Maina Joubert resigns form the Democratic Alliance and as a Witzenberg Councillor. It was a heartbreaking decision.
11 November, 2010
John Veschini makes a decision to leave the Democratic Alliance Party on Wednesday 11 November, 2010 ahead of the Local Government elections. He made the decision to leave the DA in the interests of hiscommunity. It was a heart rendering decision and came about after three years of frustration and growing doubts as to whether the DA could govern effectively in the Witzenberg and had the capacity to deliver services to the community.
24 October, 2010
TRIF, the Tulbagh branch of the DA and other interested and affected parties, lodge comments in support of the proposed Waverenskoon and Dulskroon developments which are the subject of an EIA application.
18 October, 2010
Minutes of a Committee meeting of TRIF (Tulbagh Ratepayers / Inwoners Forum) published for information.
13 October, 2010
The Witzenberg Municipality is in recess. Can you believe this?? The reasons are apparently due to the fact that there is no Mayor (her Party pulled her out) and therefore no active Mayoral Executive committee either (but they are still getting paid?). So once again political maneuverings are on the go between the Parties. The Deputy Mayor was off on a trip to Belgium and came back and went to a workshop, or conference, or visit with the Municipal Manager to the Free State. So for nearly a month, these councillors get paid for no work (at the Ratepayers expense). The good news is that the overpaid PA to the Mayor (about R35,000 per month) has also gone due to her position being linked to the Mayor's. Politics in Local Government sucks! Time for this Council to do the right this and abolish the Mayoral Executive Committee and go for an ordinary Plenary type Council where all Councillors are paid equal and the Chair or Mayor has the casting vote.
This Website supports the V.I.P - Voice of Independents Party
A proudly South African web siteWe welcome Links with other suitable Town / City Guides, Regional Information, Accommodation, Travel Guides, Tour and Community Info Sites!
Advertising on this web site by Local Enterprise and the Community is FREE!
For our terms for free advertising, please read the conditions by clicking on the link below.
To place your free advertisement on this site, please first read our
|
Please contact the Webmaster by clicking on the link provided for the 'contact us' page.
We will be happy to receive ANY feedback and any contributions to make the site
more interesting and worthwhile.
Started 23 April 2003 : Last update 22 January, 2012
Copyright © 2002 - 2011 All rights reserved worldwide and all rights reserved without limitation under copyright.
The content on this site is entirely protected by copywrite. You may only use any material on this web site for your personal reference only.
J A Veschini, 30 Van der Stel Street, Tulbagh, South Africa
John Veschini of Rocky Valley Country Properties is our Webmaster - for all your Real Estate/Property needs