OPENGATES

This lead-in artwork, Karoo Gate, by Charles van der Merwe – proudly Maeder’s brother-in-law – introduces this sandpit site as Maeder’s new playpen, and represents Maeder's interpretation of the idea of openness. The old Cape Colony gate is at a livestock area on the farm Hanglip, in the Nuwe Hantam. That farm is now owned by the neighbourhood Rodney Naude and Mal Terblanche families.
The artworks also beckon further discovery of digital journalism's 5 W’s - What? Who? Where? When? And Why? - towards developing and assisting prospective writers. Yesterday’s ancestors include archives of the former trilingual monthly newsjournal, Toverberg Indaba. Today’s and tomorrow’s successor is the current growing website - now in its mid 80’s of newsletters - at https://toverview.co.za, of which opengates is an independent potential server. The dot-Africa domain is a call to explore our own continent with new eyes. And all this is hopefully with the help of some friends, as the song invites.🎵🎵

Featured Article:

Destine Nde

6 April, 2026

Nuts & Bolts 2026 Garden Route Rally

First and foremost: this is no racist article—so far from it. I am just astonished at the creativity, positivity and conviviality of some white people in South Africa. Amidst the ugly politicking, the bad governance and the poor service delivery, some white people are still able not only to remain positive, but to organise or support events that can make South Africa and the lives of its citizens significantly much better.

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