***Prologue: The weight of multitasking rests heavily on my soul. My career in the fast-paced world of agencies led me to believe I could walk while chewing gum. But this trip to the Northern Cape has shown me otherwise. As South Africa's largest province, the Northern Cape is vast and somewhat breathtaking. The invite to explore this province came at the perfect time as it was the only Province I had not experienced. With limited leave days as a new employee, I am grateful for my hybrid-work benefits. Three weeks of careful planning led me here, but life, unpredictable as it is, had other plans. Beyond life happening, this journey is proving to be an eye-opener. What you’re about to read is both a travel and personal reflections piece. It aims to achieve 1 of 2 things. 1. Encourage you to visit the Northern Cape; or 2. Inspire you to work on those bad personal governance habits.
Day 1: First Impressions are lasting
There’s so much dust here. It’s giving everything a sepia tint, as if the town itself is stuck in an old photograph. The roads are tarred - a nod to modernity. The pedestrian walkways remain unpaved, like the dreams of those who tread them.
I just spotted a police van parked near one of the few still-operating tuck shops. Most of the homes here seem like revamped RDP houses, sitting quietly under dim lighting. It could be an eco-conscious choice, or maybe it's just the way things are. Either way, the darkness speaks volumes.
The flight was pleasantly short, with a surprising number of Spanish nationals aboard. I wanted to ask what brought them here, but alas, my grandparents raised me not to pry. A pity, really, because now I’m left to speculate, carving stories I’ll never know the end of.
We’ve now crossed the 8th - or was it the 10th? 4-way stop from the Protea Hotel we’re staying at. I have not spotted a single traffic light. Maybe I wasn’t looking hard enough.
Dinner awaits us at Motswako. Typing this made me chuckle. I was so shook at learning Motswako means concoction. I don’t know what I wanted it to mean but it was just not that.
Also read: Journey To Summit
Day 2: From Dawn to Decay
My morning began at 5.am, an attempt at striking a balance between the day’s kind regards and the day’s adventures.
Our first stop was a poignant slice of Kimberley’s past; Galeshwe. Our guide's name is Joy - a buoyant Northern Captonian. Joy walked us through Galeshwe's historical timeline. From its first black-children kindergarten to the tragic Mayibuye Mass killings. Occurring on 8 November 1952, this tragedy marked South Africa's the first major massacre.
Read about it here: Mayibuye Massacre
As a former journalist, I must confess this was my first encounter with this chapter of history. Standing before the mural commemorating the victims, I find it almost tragicomic. Mayibuye victims are painted on the crumbling walls of a dilapidated municipal building. A silent witness to neglect. If this was fiction, I’d say the city deliberately abandoned the structure as a stark reminder of the painful November 8. But in reality, it’s a disheartening testament to how historical sites - potentially vibrant tourist attractions - are left to decay, erasing the very memories they should preserve.
The second stop was another neglected municipality-owned historical site. Joy’s attempt to narrate its story through the fence only added to the mood. I’ll let the video do the talking on this one; words seem insufficient.
A Meal, A Mirror, A Moment of Clarity
Lunch at D'jons felt like a mirror reflecting the chaos in my life. Writing this article made me realize I was mentally split between two worlds. I may have missed out on some parts of Galeshewe due to my multitasking frenzy. This moment proved that I can’t walk while chewing gum—it's time to rethink my approach.
The food was decent and I liked their logo. A police van from the Illicit Mining department was being washed outside. It reminded me that Kimberley, despite its flaws, is rich in precious stones. It also made me realise that much like Kimberley, I’m also lost in the rush. Neglecting my own story amidst deadlines and ambitions.
William Humphreys Gallery
The highlight of my day was the William Humphreys Art Gallery - a true gem tucked in the heart of Kimberley. The walls are lined with stories once lived, now history to be told. The art ranges from classical masterpieces to contemporary works that capture South Africa’s soul.
A moment that stood out most was encountering Sizwe Khoza's Monoprint series. The intricate details and emotional depth of each piece left me captivated. I finally felt like a true tourist experiencing the Northern Cape's rich cultural offerings. If you share my passion for art, this gallery is reason enough to visit this often-overlooked province.
Our last stop of the day was the Digger's Fountain, a historical monument I’ll tell you about on part two of this series.
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