GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - On Tuesday, 14 August, 53 of Union's Grade 5s accompanied by three adults set off for the day to Ganora Guest Farm in the Nieu-Bethesda district.
It was a pleasant, sunny day and the drive out there was leisurely and relaxed. On arrival in Nieu Bethesda, the group stopped to enjoy a snack, before making their way to the farm.
The learners enjoyed playing with the ice that had formed on the grass the previous night and were then split into two groups - the girls and the boys - after which they were introduced to their hosts, JP and Hester Steynberg and guide Henry Witbooi.
The boys set off on foot with Henry, their guide, to the caves to learn about the Khoi and San rock art and culture.
They learned about the creators of these paintings, how they were done and what they mean. They also learned about the different roles in the family clan, and particularly how the Bushmen hunted animals and which ones were sacred to them.
The rock art on Ganora is estimated to be about 400-years-old and every year rain takes its toll on these original artworks. The talk was also made interesting by the inclusion of a few myths that these first people believed.
Meanwhile, the girls perused the fossil museum, learning about fossils mostly uncovered on Ganora Farm. They learned that no dinosaur fossils can be found in the Karoo, but that the Karoo fossils founds are of small and medium reptiles and mammals (herbivores, carnivores and omnivores alike).
The fish fossils found in the Karoo were from freshwater lakes and they even examined some plant fossils. The learners were fascinated when allowed to examine these fossils close up. It is certain that rocks will never just be rocks to these children again, instead, rocks will be examined for fossils. The two groups then exchanged activities. Thereafter, the group enjoyed tasty refreshments prepared by the farm staff and the learners had an opportunity to relax on the lawn, some playing games.
Back in Nieu-Bethesda again, the group toured the main part of the village on foot, visiting the church, the well-known Owl House and the local sculptors.
Here, they learned about the mysterious Helen Martins and even watched an artist at work.
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