SANParks.org Forums

a fascinating discussion!

i am very keen on buying the book but when i click on 'here' which takes me to the thread regarding the authors, i get no result. Could someone please tell me who i contact to order a book?

thanks!!

I have come across the following - with the assistance of Moderator Matthys, a lady that always assists where she can, Baie dankie.

TV Bulpin wrote in The Transvaal A Collection of The Mobil Treasury of travel Series Covering the Transvaal, published in 1975:

The Olifants can be regarded as the principle landmark of the whole Park. To the local tribes people it is known as the Lepelle ( a river that meanders slowly along) or the Balule (a river flowing to a far country) and its course marks a major natural division.

I have also come across the following in "Neem uit die Verlede" by the late Dr Tol Pienaar in his write up about the de Cuiper expedition, Frans de Cuiper had a discussion with a Tsonga elder in 1725 and mentioned the following Imbaloele Balule - (a distant river in other words the Olifants River).

The name Balule is to me an original name of the Olifants River - meaning a distant river that meanders slowly to a far country; as can still be seen today.

Now I can now lay this part to rest for myself, untill some better interpretation can be found.

Thank you for continuously researching and sharing your vast knowledge with us, Gmlsmit .

Thanks Gmlsmit...very interesting.

{Bump!}

What an awesome topic! I'm always fascinated with names of places, origins, historical facts, etc.

The other day I was looking at the KNP map book and I came across an Afrikaans name: Biesiesvlei. I think it's a river situated right next to Shingwedzi. Anybody know what this name means and where it came from? My SO said he visited an area/town outside of Kruger called Biesiesvlei when he was working for his previous company. So I wonder if there is any link?

Also interested in the name belonging to the Muzandzeni picnic spot situated between Orpen and Satara. At this picnic spot there are skulls of buck hanging from the trees and under one of them there is an old black sign I think with a name and date on it. Anyone familiar with this? Would be cool to know what the sign is all about.

The only Biesiesvlei that I know of is in the North West Province.

Another interesting topic here , TreeQueen

Bush Andy wrote :

My understanding is that Mooiplaas means beautiful farm. If that is so, was there a farm in the area at one time? and if so whom did it belong to?

The word Mooiplaas indeed means beautiful place.

In this instance it rather means 'a beautiful place' which it really is.

Beautiful place = mooi plek which does not sound as well as mooi plaas.

In old Dutch plaas also meant plek.

Does anyone know the meaning of Nhkulu ?

Meaning of Nkuhlu is natal mahogany. A Tsonga word.

Thank you

Hi Mites!

I proposed to my now wife at Nkumbe last year ... Anyone know the meaning of Nkumbe!?

I hope it doesn't mean place of doom or something!!!!!

Thanks in advance

Flyingsailor

Nkumbe is a Tsonga clan name. Nkumbe is named after someone who lived there in days gone by