{"id":44817,"date":"2022-07-04T15:42:39","date_gmt":"2022-07-04T13:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/graaff-reinet-is-a-finalist-20220629\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T18:59:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:59:15","slug":"graaff-reinet-is-a-finalist-20220629","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/graaff-reinet-is-a-finalist-20220629\/","title":{"rendered":"Graaff-Reinet is a finalist in town of the year competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Graaff-Reinet has officially been voted in as the Eastern Cape finalist for the Kw\u00eala <\/em>kykNET Dorp van die Jaar (town of the year). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kim von Behr Imrie, Graaff-Reinet tourism manager, said, \u201cIn keeping with the spirit of Stoep Tasting, it showed how novel efforts by locals to bring tourism to the town are paying off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Von Behr Imrie said that a planning meeting was held with business leaders and interested parties. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voting takes place via SMS\u2019s, up to 30 times per cellphone number and SMS\u2019s cost R1.50 each. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGraaff-Reinet fans please SMS \u2018Graaff-Reinet\u2019 to 33157,\u201d asked Von Berh Imrie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A makietie (party) will be provided by the sponsor KIA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The town has a substantial following as evidenced by three of its social media sites: Graaff Reinet Tourism<\/a>, Graaff-Reinet Magazine<\/a> and Grand Karoo Graaff-Reinet News<\/a>, as well as events on Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is largely due to a nostalgic connection with the town, through a very strong old school network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVolkskool celebrates its centenary this year and the forthcoming interschools\u2019 event will be well supported. The other contributing factor is the unrivalled beauty of the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGraaff-Reinet is surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park which includes the Valley of Desolation, one of South-Africa\u2019s great natural wonders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d a jubilant Von Behr Imrie said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a wonderful achievement and a demonstration of what can happen when the community and municipality work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGraaff-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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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