Chitchat

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Write to us and tell us about your move to the Platteland, the characters in your town, the things you love, the things that bug you… Send an email to

helloplatteland@gmail.com or post your letter to Platteland Letters, PO Box 526, Moorreesburg 7310. We give preference to letters of fewer than 300 words. Remember to include your name and surname and, very importantly, the town where you live. Platteland reserves the right to edit and shorten letters.

Winning letter

It’s the people who make a dorp

Since Platteland came into being, I have bought every single issue and they are all – from #1 tot #24 (now #25) – stacked neatly on my bookshelf.

With regard to the letter “Why these negative things?” in the Summer 2019/20 issue (#25): people who live in small towns carry an indescribable feeling in their hearts. Those who pass by look but do not see! It is a feeling of loyalty and love, and it is the very reason why these dorpies capture one’s heart. Even if the streets are pocked with holes. Even if the little shops aren’t perfect. Even if at times there is no water. Even if not everybody is like you.

Here, neighbours still chat over the fence. Here, you find silence. Here, you find peace. Here, we phone one another to arrange a time to meet for sundowners. Here, you can wander that same street full of holes without fear. Here you can socialise in the local bar till deep into the night and hear the loveliest, most interesting and sincere> stories. In the bar, the guitar comes out and the whole town sings along. In the same bar you would drink your coffee and eat chocolate cake. You can just be yourself and laugh at yourself without end, and at at silly jokes.

Here in the small town, with