Janco Pelser: a decade in Dubai and still at home in the desert
Janco was a teacher at Barberton High School and left South Africa in mid-August 2015 in search of both professional challenge and personal adventure.
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Jamestown: The forgotten gold camp that came before Barberton
Before Barberton became a booming gold-rush town, there was Jamestown, a rough, fever-ridden diggers’ camp where some of the valley’s first gold was found. Today it has almost vanished from memory, but its story marks the true beginning of the Barberton goldfields.
The nightmare of travelling by road
The Easter weekend reminded many of us why we think twice before travelling. From reckless overtaking to taxis using the shoulder as a fast lane, our roads tell a worrying story.
Fiks in die Laeveld: hoe Barberton en omliggende dorpe saam in beweging bly
Van Barberton tot Low’s Creek, Kaapmuiden tot Nelspruit en die landelike nedersettings tussenin, maak al hoe meer mense gebruik van hul natuurlike omgewing om aktief te bly en ’n gesonder leefstyl te volg.
Life beyond the dust and danger in the early mining town of Barberton
Today, echoes of that vibrant past remain in heritage buildings, local traditions, and the stories still shared across generations, because even in the toughest of times, Barberton’s people understood, and still understand, the value of laughter and music.
Local teachers build a life in the UAE amid regional tensions
Reenen and Kamille Louw share why they left South Africa, what life is really like in the UAE, and whether they plan to come home.
Easter, a time of reflection and renewal
Easter is more than just a long weekend. It is a time of reflection, renewal and community.
🎥 Kids, this one’s for you: Grow it, plant it, paint it!
Looking for ways to keep the kids busy during the school holidays? Gardening projects like bean jars, painted rock markers and mini succulent gardens are fun, affordable and teach valuable life skills - all from your own backyard.
The cableway: Barberton’s forgotten link to Havelock Mine
For more than 60 years, asbestos travelled through the sky from Havelock Mine to our railway station. Here is the remarkable story behind the pylons many of us remember following into the mountains.
Build a boma in one weekend
With a few basic materials and a bit of weekend effort, you can create a beautiful family boma using stone, brick or recycled materials.
Nukain Mabuza: the artist who painted the rocks of Barberton
It was here, among granite boulders and Lowveld bush, that self‑taught artist Nukain Mabuza created what would later become known as the ‘Painted Rock Garden of Revolver Creek’.
When distant wars reach our petrol pumps
Recent tensions and military conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States have once again reminded the world how closely global events and local economies are connected.
Across continents and decades, Rienie reaches the milestone of 105
With a life story spanning wartime Europe and ocean voyages, Barberton resident Rienie still lives in the Andrews Street home she and her late husband, Henk, built nearly 30 years ago.
The Todd family: from gold rush roots to Lowveld agriculture
The Todd family story stretches back to the gold rush era of the late 1800s and evolved alongside the development of the Lowveld itself.