Nemeth/Star Productions - Picture Gallery

Welcome to this special new season of Orbit Mzansi: Photography from the Depths of the Karoo Desert. This year, we bring you a unique "One Season – One City" event. Welcome to the beautiful town of Matjiesfontein! This season will feature some exciting highlights, including a crossover with SPACE-FRIDAY: Photography. But for now, let's begin our journey at the entrance road to Matjiesfontein. Located about 240 kilometers—or roughly a three-hour drive—from Cape Town along the N1 highway, Matjiesfontein is a small village with a distinctive Victorian charm, nestled in the heart of the Karoo Desert. Founded in 1878 as a railway station, it was later developed into a popular Victorian spa town under the guidance of Scottish entrepreneur James Douglas Logan. Today, thanks to its well-preserved Victorian heritage, the entire town is recognized as a national monument. The original inhabitants of this region were the Khoikhoi herders and the San hunter-gatherers. With the arrival of early European colonists, the area became home to Afrikaner Trekboers and Griqua settlers. The main entrance to Matjiesfontein follows the R354, which branches off from the N1 and connects the town to Sutherland, about 100 kilometers away. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by the historic Lord Milner Hotel, which features a spacious parking lot and some of the town’s first museums—situated right next to the train station. Matjiesfontein is divided into two sections: the tourism-focused, Victorian-era quarter between the N1 and the train station, and the residential area beyond the station. Most of the town’s residents work at the Lord Milner Hotel, supporting both the town’s heritage and the local community. We’ll explore more of this fascinating place in the upcoming episodes. *This episode was also possible thanks to the ATUMTEK 51 Zoll Stand. Get yours on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZzhYNg