Who We Are
Ba-Dinkwanyane ba le amogela
Where to find Ba-Dinkwanyane Tourism
Ba-Dinkwanyange Tourism is based in the rural village Phiring, which is located on the world-renowned Panorama route. This route is situated on the North-Western border of the Blyde Canyon Nature Reserve, on the R532 road. The Phiring village boasts magnificent wetlands that feed into the Ohrigstad River basin which serves as catchment for the Blyde Dam and water provision to the Lowveld region.
About the Area
The Ba-Dinkwanyane Tourism natural sites are by far the most spectacular hidden gems on the Panorama Route. The area has striking rock formations of metamorphic rock of sedimentary origin, deposited in ancient geological times. Hard quartzite layers are exposed and can be seen as sheer cliff faces at the edge of the escarpment with softer shale that have weathered to form the inclines and slopes between. The main rock formation in Phiring is dolomite which is a sedimentary carbonate rock that contains a high percentage of calcium and magnesium. Due to the chemical composition of dolomitic rock in the area, an active, living tufa waterfall can be found at Sekweneng.
At the escarpment edge hard, resistant, and almost flat-lying quartzite overlie more easily weathered granites and gneisses of the Lowveld. Millions of years of rain from moisture-laden air coming off the Indian Ocean have rapidly eroded the basement rocks, leaving the spectacular retreating escarpment.
Topography has a direct influence on the vegetation as well as the climatic conditions of an area. The landscape of Phiring is in a valley floor which is flat with good nutrients. Here, the gigantic Podocarpus fulcatus (Outeniqua yellowwood / mago’bago’ba -Sepedi) tree can be found on the Sethunyeng trail. Towards the Mawane rangeland the mid-slope has good drainage which feeds the wetlands but poor in nutrition and less vegetation coverage and trees with deep root systems. This moves on towards the edge of the escarpment flat plateau with shallow soils and grassland vegetation. Because the Mawane grazing area consists mostly of quartzite the vegetation is affected by the soil type. It is a scree-slope are with very stony soils that host trees with deep root systems but poor grass cover. This is because of the soils inability to hold moisture in the topsoil.
Climate in Phiring
Phiring has a semi-arid climate prevailing and experience summer rainfall which can sometimes be humid with very dry winters. The average weather conditions in Phiring are complimenting tourist vacation.
As far as temperature goes there is also a gradient in the temperature on sections of the Panorama Route. The pleasant weather conditions make the area suitable for year-round visits.
BIODIVERSITY
Dinkwanyane Water Smart Partners
Ba-Dinkwanyane Tourism Association
The Ba-Dinkwanyane Tourism Association was established when the Bapedi Ba-Dinkwanyane residents identified tourism as a potential alternative economical contribution to become resilient as climate change impacts negatively on the income derive from farming practices.
Meet the people of Ba-Dinkwanyane Tourism
DWS Tourism and FRFR Site Coordinator
KGOTLELO ROSELINAH SEHLALE
Roselinah is an energetic young lady who keeps everything together in her position as Tourism Site Coordinator under the mentorship of the Dinkwanyane Water Smart Project, which is implemented by the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere Region. True to the meaning of her first name, she is committed to the preservation of the environment and to cultural heritage. She is also an ECOSYSTEM CUSTODIAN who has the development of people into successful entrepreneurs at heart. She mentors and supports the tourism growth plans and plays a pivotal role in the performance of Ba-Dinkwanyane Tourism projects.
Tourist guides and Biodiversity Researcher
Lucius Hlatswayo
Lucius fulfils a leadership role in the biodiversity monitoring of the wetlands and tourism sites. An experienced and knowledgeable guide, he leads tourists to nature sites and on hiking trails. as an expert, qualified local site guide and having completed a course in adventure guiding, he is very informative about different natural species and conservation. He participates in various biodiversity research groups and offers valuable updated information. Lucius is also committed to supporting local school learners improve their mathematical skills via playing dominos.
Sania Mokoena
Sania is a knowledgable and witty young lady who is enthusiastic to showcase the demonstration
garden she manages under the Dinkwanyane water smart project at the local Thorometsane Primary
School. The location suites her vision to share her love for the soil and farming with the children.
Her wish is that they will develop to become commercial farmers one day. She incorporates and
aligns her gardening skills with the school curriculum and scholars learn while assisting with
gardening and also harvest vegetables to add to their feeding scheme.
Dumisa Khoza
This young lad is eagerly committed to sharing his experience and knowledge of agro-ecology with visitors to his demonstration garden at the Thoremetsane Primary school. With the assistance of Hoedspruit Hub, an accredited agriculture education organisation within the Dinkwanyane Water Smart project, Dumisa and his agro-cology Ecosystem Custodian team apply a unique education technique where the vegetable garden is incorporated into the school curriculum. Additionally, he acts as an interpreter during site visits, sharing his knowledge of conservation and the biodiversity of the area.
Meet the BTA Committee Members
BTA CHAIRPERSON
Pancho Modipa
This small scale farmer, known in the community as Pancho, is recognised for his leadership and commitment to see each and every household in Phiring prosper. As chairperson of the BTA, he realises the success of tourism through team effort. He oversees the improvement and maintenance of tourism sites. He encourages everyone in his family and the community to participate in tourism and ensure tourist safety. Through his contributions, he believes tourism in Phiring will flourish and wants to see it become one of the major attractions along the Panorama Route as well as in South Africa generally.
BTA VICE CHAIRPERSON
Angelina Siwela
Angelinah, a supportive and attentive person, is dedicated to her family and to her role as deputy-chairperson of the BTA committee. A hard worker, she is a farmer growing herbs and crops as well as working as a seasonal worker on the citrus farms. Her vision for tourism is to work collaboratively. She encourages the youth to be actively involved and become passionate about people, including her son who now offers catapult shooting to entertain tourists.
BTA SECRETARY
Babylicks Monyane
This young lady performs her task as secretary of the BTA committee with great precision. She is passionate, consistent and disciplined in the implementation of all tourism projects. She is dedicated to developing Ba-Dinkwanyane into the top tourism destination along the Panorama Route as well as becoming the best Community Tourism programme in South Africa.
BTA ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Brenda Mnisi
Brenda is a permanent resident of Phiring and deputy secretary of the BTA committee. Family is important to her and she is a caring, loving wife, mother and grandmother who loves cooking. Entrepreneurship is in her blood and whatever she puts her hand to, becomes a business. She has the same vision of tourism becoming a flourishing link in supporting sustainable livelihoods and business opportunities for all.
BTA TREASURER
Lessy Chilwane
Lessy, with her caring, dedicated and considerate character, manages the coffers of the BTA as treasurerv. She performs her duties efficiently and reports accurately on the financial affairs. She works in the Phiring Drop-In Centre assisting orphans and vulnerable children with homework and day-to-day social matters. She would like tourists to experience local family life and culture and friendliness through homestays; the project which she coordinates.
BTA Additional Members
Donald Maphanga
Donald is a livestock farmer who participates in the Rangeland management team of the Dinkwanyane Water Smart Project. His valuable contribution and insight into the well-being of farmers and their benefit from tourism, is honourable. He understands that tourism is a community project and that all activities should profit as many participants as possible. He is a passionate representative of the community and their inclusion in tourism programs.
Ba-Dinkwanyane into the top tourism destination along the Panorama Route as well as becoming the best Community Tourism programme in South Africa.
Kamogelo Riba
The participation of this energetic and enthusiastic young man is a valuable contribution to the management of the BTA. He is always willing and available to support the tourism maintenance and development team. His vision for tourism in Phiring is to create opportunities for young and old in the community to showcase their culture and true African traditions.
Manase Modipa
Manase is a small scale farmer in Phiring where he spends most of his time in the croplands. He is acknowledged as a leader in the community and offers his time voluntarily to the management of the BTA. He understands and contributes to tourism project implementation knowing that his efforts add to the benefits of economic growth for the whole community.
Nency Hlatswayo
Like all committee members, Nency volunteers her time to the development and management of tourism in Phiring. A single mother on a tight schedule, she is also part of the social work team at the Phiring Drop-In Centre where she oversees the livelihoods of vulnerable children. Her compassionate and caring nature ensures that all tourism programs are beneficial to the social structure of the community. Her dream is to see the youth of Phiring protected and proud of their culture through tourist activities in Phiring.