Graaff-Reinet has officially been voted in as the Eastern Cape finalist for the Kwêla kykNET Dorp van die Jaar (town of the year).
A video insert, filmed on May 26-27 on the fringe of the Stoep Tasting Festival aired, gives a taste of what the town has to offer.
Kim von Behr Imrie, Graaff-Reinet tourism manager, said, “In keeping with the spirit of Stoep Tasting, it showed how novel efforts by locals to bring tourism to the town are paying off.”
Von Behr Imrie said that a planning meeting was held with business leaders and interested parties. “The intention is to encourage enthusiasm to help Graaff-Reinet obtain votes for the next round of voting, which will take place once all nine finalists have been revealed.”
The remaining five will be revealed each Sunday going forward at 18:00 on kykNET (DStv channel 144). Voting will be only from 18:00 on July 17 until midday on July 22.
Voting takes place via SMS’s, up to 30 times per cellphone number and SMS’s cost R1.50 each.
“Graaff-Reinet fans please SMS ‘Graaff-Reinet’ to 33157,” asked Von Berh Imrie.
The winning town will receive R1 million worth of marketing from kykNET, and a 45- second video produced by Homebrew Films, which will also be aired on kykNET.
A makietie (party) will be provided by the sponsor KIA.
The town has a substantial following as evidenced by three of its social media sites: Graaff Reinet Tourism, Graaff-Reinet Magazine and Grand Karoo Graaff-Reinet News, as well as events on Facebook.
“This is largely due to a nostalgic connection with the town, through a very strong old school network.
“Volkskool celebrates its centenary this year and the forthcoming interschools’ event will be well supported. The other contributing factor is the unrivalled beauty of the area.
“Graaff-Reinet is surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park which includes the Valley of Desolation, one of South-Africa’s great natural wonders.
“The neighbouring village of Nieu-Bethesda is a mere 45 minutes-drive away, with its impressive Compassberg Peak being the highest in South Africa outside the Stormberg-Drakensberg massif.
“The combined efforts of tourism, community and business working together with the municipality is paying off. The result is a beautified town ready to host the world,” a jubilant Von Behr Imrie said.
“It is a wonderful achievement and a demonstration of what can happen when the community and municipality work together.
“Graaff-Reinet is looking forward to a rejuvenation in tourism and winning Dorp van die Jaar will certainly help in this regard. Every vote will count to help Graaff-Reinet win.”
