It may come as a surprise to some to learn that our estate is not just another modern coastal development. In these articles contributed to the Newsletter, Dr. Dan Sleigh once a homeowner at Jakkalsfontein offers some interesting observations and historical perspectives on the Jakkalsfontein we know today as a nature reserve and our home.

Dr. Dan Sleigh

Dr. Dan Sleigh once a homeowner at Jakkalsfontein, recently won a prestigious Afrikaans literary prize with his novel Eilande.

The competition was sponsored by the magazine Insig in collaboration with Sanlam and others and attracted 104 entries. Dan won R30 000 in cash, a Unisys computer and a month’s sojourn at the Boekehuis in Calvinia.

The novel is written against the historical background of the early Cape. Petra Müller, one of the judges, says about Eilande, “It is not only a book, but also a happening”. She calls it a major contribution which is clearly written.

Dr. Dan Sleigh is a regular contributor to Jakkalsfontein News with articles such as Prehistoric Jakkalsfontein, The Name Jakkalsfontein, A Visit 192 Years Ago, Early Victorian Jakkalsfontein, Eating In At Jakkalsfontein etc. and is extremely knowledgeable about the history and plantlife of the area. It comes as no surprise to learn that he was born only 30 kilometres north of Jakkalsfontein!

The Sleighs loved the peace and tranquillity of Jakkalsfontein and Dan finds that the solitude makes it easy to write without interruption.

Interestingly enough, the winner of the debut prize, Reinet Nagtegaal, and her husband have recently also bought property in Jakkalsfontein. Reinet won R10 000 for her novel, Voorvaders kan vlieg, sê Delores.

It seems Jakkalsfontein is fast becoming a haven for writers!

Kortliks In die onlangse romanwedstryd wat deur Insig, in samewerking met Sanlam en andere uitgeskryf is, het een van Jakkalsfontein se bekende huiseienaars die eerste prys verower en sodoende R30 000 kontant, ‘n rekenaar en ‘n maand se verblyf in die Boekehuis op Calvinia losgeslaan. Dan Sleigh se boek Eilande is by die KKNK as algehele wenner aangewys.

Die boek het as historiese gegewe, die ontstaangeskiedenis van die Kaap en behoort, volgens Petra Müller, een van die keurders, saam met die Dagjoernaal van Jan van Riebeeck gelees te word.

Dan is ‘n historikus vaan formaat wat al verskeie artikels vir die Jakkalsfontein News geskryf het. Hy geniet die stilte van Jakkalsfontein wat hom die geleentheid bied om ongesteurd te skryf.

Die debuutprys is gewen deur Reinet Nagtegaal met haar roman Voorvaders kan vlieg, sê Delores. Reinet en haar man het pas eiendom op Jakkalsfontein gekoop.

Elsa Hammersma
Plover