A log, unearthed from the sludge of an old trout dam, floats about freely. Wild sorrel, irises and other plants embed their seeds in the soil in its base and flower at various times of the year. A red-knobbed coot makes its nest there each spring.
A log, unearthed from the sludge of an old trout dam, floats about freely. Wild sorrel, irises and other plants embed their seeds in the soil in its base and flower at various times of the year. A red-knobbed coot makes its nest there each spring.
A series of sculptures inspired by the Cradle of Humankind heritage site was executed by Willem Boshoff. With artistic reference to the impact of the Vredefort asteroid that fell from the sky in this vicinity 2 000 million years ago, he sculpted this rock from black Belfast granite, quarried specifically for the project. It weighs 10 tonnes.
A closer view of the rock showing biblical text from Genesis, chapter 9, on the origin of languages, sandblasted onto the surface in various languages.
Planned by architect Johan Bergenthuin to be as unobtrusive as possible, the house consists of a number of pavilions linked to one another via connecting undercover walkways. Wild olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana) and other trees have been planted around the house to blend the home into the landscape.
The flower room is a ‘lobby’ en route from the main house to the owner’s studio, inviting one to pause and commune with the prolific variety of colourful flowering plants.
This bronze sculpture, entitled ‘Nike – the female spirit’ is by German sculptor Paul Wunderlich. A large portion of the property has been allocated to the Nirox Art Foundation. Artists of significant international repute are invited to work and engage with local arts communities, with the objective of integrating South African art into the global art scene.
From the house, the view has been carefully orchestrated to lead the eye in stages from a rim-flow pool, over a water lilly swimming pond, to the crown of the riverine forest trees and beyond to the Swartkop mountain range.
Glass is a necessary evil, according to the owner. Large, pivoting doors allow for an expansive view and can be adjusted to suit the prevailing weather conditions.
The sundeck offers a clear view of the swathes of grass at differing heights. Because the area is at the mercy of temperamental weather, a gigantic cover is always on standby to protect the cushions in the event of a sudden downpour.
Due to the layer of dolomite near the surface of the ground, sweet thorn tree (Acacia karroo) roots have difficulty anchoring themselves. Not wanting to loose any of the trees as they grow taller, the owner protects them by propping them up with blocks of sandstone.
A group of Dogon ladders are arranged to form their own sculpture at the edge of the pond. The owner prefers to swim here, as the water that flows into the swimming pond circulates from a natural underground fountain and is continuously refreshed. Friendly turtles nibble toes while tilapia keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Sited where the forest and cultivated land meet is a sculpture by Eduardo Villa. Tree trunks are embellished by the back-scratching marks of the rhino that once roamed freely in this region.
Khatlhampi, or ‘the place where the mountain meets the valley and the river’, is situated at Kromdraai, on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Steeped in history dating back 2 000 million years, it forms part of the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site and is home to a prolific number of hominid fossils.
Part of the land, once a pleasure resort and a commercial trout farm, has been transformed by the present owners into an enviable weekend retreat comprising a natural garden and a house designed with sensitivity to the environment. Entrance to this magical place is via a discreet decking bridge over a stream. In contrast to the dry, coarse Gauteng countryside, the sudden acres of lush, green lawns and lakes are awe inspiring; an effect not unlike that of an Imax cinema with 360-degree views, all of breathtaking beauty, not least of which is the backdrop of the Swartkop mountain.
The grass is immaculately cut; often in swathes and at varying heights. Riverine streams criss-cross the property while newly introduced yellowfish and kurder (tilapia) swim in the man-made lakes. Joining them are grass carp, which keep the edges of the lakes clipped. Visible from wild olive groves, the lakes attract great flocks of Egyptian geese and sacred ibis, among a variety of other water birds. In winter, the duckweed on the lakes turns to a reddish glow, creating another visual feast.
White stinkwoods (Celtis africana) and bush willows (Combretum erythrophyllum) grow in the indigenous wetland forests, while significant sculptures are strategically positioned in open areas. The greater part of the garden is a mixture of wilderness, dolomite veld and cultivated landscaping.
A spot for sundowners could be a contemporary sculpture.
‘It is the blackest, most costly granite found in South Africa. When it is polished, it glimmers as dark as the night sky.’