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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

Welcome to our second episode in Matjiesfontein! Today, we’re right next to the Lord Milner Hotel, enjoying the charming Coffee House. The Coffee House in Matjiesfontein is housed in a historic building that originally opened in 1888 as Logan’s General Store. Back then, it served as a supply station for arriving trains, providing passengers with essential goods and food. Today, it offers a cozy atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a taste of history alongside their coffee. In addition to coffee, hot chocolate, snacks, and light lunches, the Coffee House serves a selection of hearty homemade breakfasts, freshly baked cakes, and traditional Koeksisters. Guests can choose to sit inside the historic building or relax in the adjoining courtyard, which features a small fountain and pond. Although the Coffee House no longer functions as a railway supply store, it has preserved its original purpose as a place of refreshment and rest. This makes it an ideal stop not only for hotel guests but also for travelers looking for a welcoming break along their journey.

Today, we are visiting the old bank branch and post office of Matjiesfontein. As a predecessor of today's Standard Bank, the African Banking Corporation opened a branch in Matjiesfontein in June 1897. James Douglas Logan personally constructed the building for the bank. Inside, visitors can still see the original bank counter and period furnishings. The building also houses an impressive collection of big game trophies, restored by Prof. Bengy Rawdon. This collection was originally assembled by Jimmy Logan, the son of James Douglas Logan, and was once considered the largest of its kind in South Africa. The old post office is where Olive Schreiner sent many of her letters. It became particularly famous in 1901 when renowned writer and war correspondent Edgar Wallace transmitted the news of Queen Victoria’s death from there. Today, the building serves as a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase unique and original gifts, including Africana books, collectibles, and antiques. Locally produced goods such as jams, cookies, and dried meat—known as biltong—are also available. Both buildings stand as testaments to Matjiesfontein’s rich history and offer visitors an authentic glimpse into the town’s Victorian era.

Today we take a detailed tour of the Matjiesfontein railroad station. From the tracks, an abandoned station building to the museum. This is a journey with a view from above, during the day, at sunset and into the night, where we transition to the first episode of SPACE-FRIDAY: Photography from the Karoo Desert. Matjiesfontein station was opened on February 1, 1878, when the railroad line was extended north from Cape Town. Today it is still well preserved and houses a small museum. We also see one of the outbuildings which gives the station the charm of a lost place. The station thus shows its historically significant history and also awakens a thirst for adventure. We will see more of the old trains in a future episode. The station originally served as a water station for steam locomotives on their way through the Karoo. In 1883, the Scotsman James Douglas Logan acquired the station and turned it into a private health resort. The dry, warm air of the region was ideal for lung sufferers, making Matjiesfontein a sought-after destination for wealthy and prominent personalities. Today, the Blue Train and the Rovos Rail stop here twice a week, two trains that take luxury tourists through South Africa. On their stopover, however, the luxury tourists only see the tourist part of the city. In a later episode, we will also take a look at the part of the city that is inhabited by its residents. Matjiesfontein used to be accessible via a small airstrip. This is located southwest of the village, on the edge of the historic settlement. The airstrip was originally used during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), when Matjiesfontein was an important British military base. At the time, the area served as a remount camp for over 10,000 soldiers and 20,000 horses. The airstrip was close to this camp and was probably used for military purposes. In the 2000s, the airstrip was repaired and reopened for private air traffic. Today, the airstrip can only be seen on OpenStreetMap and parts of it are visible on a walk. Otherwise, Matjiesfontein can be reached by car and by long-distance bus via Laingsburg. Today, Matjiesfontein is mainly visited by international tourists and locals who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. The village is particularly popular with locals at weekends. Matjiesfontein also serves as a stopover on the long road trip between Cape Town and Johannesburg for all travelers. In 1975, the entire town, including the railroad station, was declared a national monument in order to preserve its Victorian charm. Matjiesfontein station is an important architectural and historical monument that reflects the rich history of the South African railroads and the Karoo region. In the museum you can see historical timetables, photos of trains, the points switching system and ticket offices. The station shines in a new light when the sun goes down. The setting sun makes the station sign and the buildings shimmer in a golden light. The starry sky shimmers above the station in the pitch-black night. A first look at the starry sky over Matjiesfontein. This is the foretaste of a breathtaking episode of SPACE-FRIDAY: Photography from the Karoo Desert, with a clarity of stars that is second to none. To be continued in... SPACE-FRIDAY: Photography - Season 2025 - Episode 3

Next to the Lord Milner Hotel on the edge of the Matjies River is the rear section of the Douglas Gardens. A desert garden with palm trees, desert plants and the hotel's swimming pool. We visit the garden in the late afternoon, with the setting evening sun. Once you have crossed the Matjies River, which dries out in summer, you are immediately greeted by the old style of the garden. A sign with the opening hours and warnings from the time when the Cape Colony Government still existed. The garden is located in the middle of nature and beware of snakes and scorpions. Officially, only hotel guests are allowed to enter the Douglas Gardens. The pool is filled from a borehole. Next to it in the gardens stands an old eucalyptus tree. Other plants in the garden are the aloes, prickly pears, and pepper trees. In the center is a pond surrounded by palm trees. From late winter to spring (around August-September), the gardens are transformed into a colorful field of wildflowers. An old windmill at the edge of the garden perfectly captures its essence. It is definitely worth taking a stroll through the gardens.

Anyone who follows Matjiesfontein on social media or in the press will be familiar with the Lord Milner Hotel, the Victorian gardens, the historical museums and the train station. This is the tourist side of Matjiesfontein. But behind the train station is the real Matjiesfontein. This is where the inhabitants of Matjiesfontein live and preserve the cultural heritage of the town. The entire town has been a National Heritage Site since 1975. The majority of the hotel and museum staff come from here or have moved to Matjiesfontein in the course of their lives. Many of the inhabitants are the 2nd and 3rd generation to live in Matjiesfontein and are partly descendants of railroad workers, farmers or servants from the colonial era. Most of the buildings consist of normal houses. There is a paved road that runs through the housing estate. To reach the residential area, you either have to cross the railroad tracks (which is not recommended) or use the bridge a few meters away from the station that runs under the tracks. This is also the access for cars. In the village, the locals run the small stores that are common in South Africa, selling soft drinks and the usual kiosk products. There is also a tavern, which can be visited by locals and visitors alike. In addition, the village has an elementary school that teaches children up to grade 7. After that, pupils have to commute to Laingsburg or Touws River to attend secondary school. There is also a sports field in the residential area and, of course, wild animals that can be welcomed as visitors at any time. In addition to the animals kept by the residents, most of the wild animals also come from the Karoo hills. A lot of these can only be seen on a walk through the residential area of Matjiesfontein. If visitors reach Matjiesfontein on the luxurious Rovos Rail and Premier Classe trains or are simply passing through, they will see little of the actual residential area. A walk through the residential area is worthwhile for anyone who wants to see this side of Matjiesfontein.