Shop with Heart & support local... Haenertsburg & Magoebaskloof

Christmas is a time for happiness, kindness, sharing and togetherness. Gifts of experiences are often the most meaningful, especially when they reflect what someone loves or longs to do. If you want to buy something special, shop local and discover unique gifts made with love by talented artisans and makers. Every purchase makes a big difference to a real person, not a big corporation. Let’s make this Christmas magical by supporting the small businesses that make our communities special! 

The Pennefather Complex

You’ll find something for young and old at the Pennefather Complex from handcrafted macadamia honey nougat to room diffusers and body scrubs. There are stylish handbags & accessories; dutch sweet-treats, picnic rugs and even antiques and collectibles.  Or why not choose a Blind Date With a Book? Wrapped in plain brown paper wrap, you don't get to judge a book by its cover. Each mystery-read is wrapped and waiting for you – no cover, no title, just a few intriguing clues - perfect for book lovers who enjoy surprises and new adventures!   

The Pennefather Complex, 103  Rissik Street, Haenertsburg.  (015 276 4885)

Blackburn Leather

A touch of natural beauty can transform any space, and Blackburn Leather in Haenertsburg offers exquisite, hand-selected Nguni hides to do just that. These professionally tanned rugs are unique, stylish and functional, adding warmth and comfort to any room. Along with the Nguni hides there is a range of high-quality, handcrafted leather products, including Nguni handbags lined with vibrant shweshwe fabric, stylish belts and Nguni purses. But there’s something for everyone:  wallets, lighter cases and teeny-bopper jewellery as well as belts for him, her and mini-me or collars for the fur babies.

Blackburn Leather, 18 Rissik Street, Haenertsburg (079 096 5303)

Lavender House

You will find gifts and jewellery for sale in one room with colourful ceramic bowls or handcrafted wooden items in another.  There is also a section for local foodie treats as well as avocado oils, balms and soaps. The extensive range of decor items from vases to cushions make great gifts and there is also a lovely range of women’s cotton clothing from tops to pants in bigger sizes including Large to XXL. 

Lavender House, 5 Rissik St, Haenertsburg:  Pinny: 084 556 2760 / Wyldy: 082 326 8406.

Gift of Love By Khareen is a small but stylish shop in Haenertsburg which has beautiful handmade jewellery while further up the road at 6 Kerk Street, you’ll find Earth Creations where you can buy some of Marion’s quirky and colourful creations or better yet, give the gift of a pottery experience so your special person can make their own.

(083 259 8427)   

Stella’s Farm Deli

You can’t miss Stella’s Farm Deli - it’s next to the huge log cabin structure at the Haenertsburg crossroads on the R71.  You won’t know what to choose first, so start with some of the Stylkop ‘geelvet’ biltong and go from there.  How about some of the elegant vases, stylish hats, mojo diffusers, body butter or bath bombs. There are even quirky gifts like Woesmooi Onnies in a can or pick up Magriets iced cookies for a stocking-stuffer.  Maybe the best option of all is one of their unique artisanal food hampers with a host of local foodie delights that you can all share!  They now have an online shop (www.stellasfarmdeli.co.za) so you can even buy your favourites when you get home.

Stella’s Farm Deli, R71, near Haenertsburg (071 736 6424)  

Zwakala Brewery Shop

After a long, lazy lunch and their craft beers, pop in at the farm shop and buy an iconic Zwakala Brewery t-shirt - great for a festive season gift.  Zwakala Brewery, Cheerio Road, Magoebaskloof (073 791 6797)

Blueberry Heights Farm Shop 

Slow-food lovers will enjoy buying foodie gifts from the small shop at Blueberry Café featuring their farm produce from fresh-picked blueberries, golden kiwi jam, farm honey and blueberry cordials to pork cuts from Mockford Farms. 

Blueberry Farm Café, R71 near Stanford Lake College  (071 540 3800)

Dirt Earth to Art Ceramic Studio

Pop in to buy unique ceramics, homeware and functional art or choose a mug, bowl or pot and create your own personal gift for someone special.

First Ceramic Studio, R71 near Pot ‘n Plow, Magoebaskloof (083 709 9020) 

Pot ‘n Plow Restaurant

After a delicious meal, check out their range of local-is-lekker products ranging from t-shirts, funky earrings, Hazel’s Harvest balms & soaps or Thomas essential oils to a range of yummy local treats. You will also find kids books about the Haenertsburg Grasslands and Cape Parrots.  The Pot ‘n Plow Restaurant, R71 Magoebaskloof  (082 322 2436  | 074 059 0560) 

Magoebaskloof Farmstall

This mountainside restaurant is a laid-back spot with delicious food, fun for kids and a host of local goodies which would be the perfect gift for someone you love.  The Interior Lab has curated a great selection of unusual, stylish gifts from scatter cushions to scented candles and diffusers.  Amongst the beautiful scarfs and bag belts, you will find unusual jewellery, himalayan bags and even sexy socks & jocks. You’ll also find  Magriets Fine Foods and Tzamac foodie treats and a range of Parfum du Ciel amongst other interesting finds.

Magoebaskloof Farmstall,  R71, Midway along the Magoebaskloof Pass.  (072 274 5520) 

Glass Art Studio 

Elspeth Humphreys lives in a beautiful place and gets a daily dose of inspiration for the soul. So it is not surprising that her beautiful mirrors are framed with glass filled with flowers and butterflies from the farm.  Her Glass Art Studio has quirky glass birds, decorative dragonflies and unique glass platters.  She also takes orders for custom-made stained glass windows or panels which cast a glorious kaleidoscope of light in an otherwise ordinary room.  

Glass Art Studio, off the Magoebaskloof Pass, R71  (By appointment: 082 335 6803)

Tzamac’s Factory Shop in Tzaneen

Discover festive favourites, from pantry treats to indulgent gifts. Stock up on macadamia nut oil with its buttery flavour, smooth macadamia butter, and the fiery Mozambique Peri Peri macs. For something sweet, try Belgian Chocolate-coated macs, handmade macadamia brittle from Tupelo Honey, or Dando’s Delights ice cream in macadamia-inspired flavours. ForestGold Nougat and Bittersweet’s roasted salted caramel macs and macadamia shortbread add luxurious options. Round off your shopping with Tzamac’s handmade macadamia soap, crafted to nourish and gently cleanse the skin.

Tzamac Factory Shop, 5 Platina Street, Tzaneen (072 451 7537 | 015 065 0239)

The Ultimate Braai Master -Limpopo’s Fire Dancers blazed a bold new path as Wild Cards

The coals have been glowing again on South African screens as The Ultimate Braai Master returned for its ninth season, an all-stars showdown, with a mix of twelve returning legends seeking redemption against two bold wild card teams. The beautiful landscapes of the Western Cape became both the backdrop and battleground as contestants were pitted against each other in a high-pressure series of outdoor fire-cooking challenges, filmed over an intense 21 days.  

Season-9 brought back celebrity chefs Pete Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng to the judging table, while Tapfuma Makina returned as host, guiding viewers through the drama, eliminations and moments of magic around the fire.  Much of the action unfolded in the valleys of the Overberg, from gruelling open-flame cook-offs in a purpose-built braai arena to rugged outdoor challenges that pushed teams to braai in wind, rain or blazing sun under severe time pressure. 

For Limpopo viewers, all eyes were on the Fire Dancers, the team that brings together the fiery passion of local chefs Laaika Moosa of Laaiksfood and Meal Maniac’s Natalie Stewart. These inspiring women have spent recent years transforming the food scene around Tzaneen, Magoebaskloof and Hoedspruit with immersive cooking classes, pop-up feasts and diverse catering events cementing their reputation for bold flavours, local produce and innovation.  Together, their skills seemed tailor-made for a televised braai showdown where taste and presentation matter as much as grit and composure.  

When they were introduced as one of the Wild Card teams, they had no idea what they were in for. They had submitted their audition video without realising it was an All Stars competition, but from the moment filming began, something in them rose to the challenge. As Laaika put it, “the cooking was the easiest part. There are so many other factors that push you to your limits. The hosts don’t tell you anything about the location or the challenge ahead so you just have to learn to surrender to the unknown and trust your instincts.”  

Both women grew up cooking on coals, and flames were part of their childhood language, long before they ever knew it would translate professionally. And their team name came from the instinctive choreography around the fire, with each taking the lead. Before filming, they discussed their strengths, weaknesses and the worst case scenarios, uncovering in the process how naturally their styles aligned. Natalie summed it up simply. “Teamwork is the dreamwork. We are passionate about what we do and want to share it with other people.”  

But the challenges hit hard from the start. The Asado test pushed everyone to their limits as five teams fought for space around one fire-pit in a chaotic scramble that reminded Laaika of The Lord of the Flies. The semi-finals, a nine-course tasting menu prepared in just 2.5 hours, demanded speed, precision and calm inside a cramped kitchen, while reaching the finals brought them to ‘Hell’s Day’, a gruelling seven hours under relentless scrutiny. Natalie described how intimidating it felt to face a wall of cameras and judges who “didn’t mince their words.” 

Fire, though, was familiar ground. Both women know how to build heat, manage coals and coax flavour from flame. Laaika explains that “the trick is to have a feeder fire producing coals for meat, vegetables and another for slow-cooking - each with its own rhythm.” Natalie adds, “don’t be afraid to play with new flavours and textures using really good-quality produce.” The competition often reminded them of home where food and landscape are inseparable and they wanted to prove that Limpopo's flavours, stories and people deserve a place on the national stage.

In the end, they did far more than that. They came home as champions. Their victory is remarkable not only because they made it all the way to the finals won by the Iron Tummies, but because they surpassed their own expectations. Competing against fire legends and seasoned all-stars was intimidating, yet the hosts told them they would give the others a run for their money and they did just that.  As Natalie reflected, the experience opened up a world of methods they had never encountered and it felt incredible to shift perceptions in a braai culture often dominated by men.  

Natalie’s journey carried its own triumph. “I was born with a heart condition and had a setback in episode two but still made it to the finals. It was an incredible lesson that you can do anything that you put your mind to.”  They were determined to have fun in the process but their story is also one of curiosity, courage and the joy of being present in your passion. As Laaika says, “it is about taking a leap of faith and letting it blow your mind.” The Fire Dancers walked into the unknown and emerged with renewed confidence, a deeper trust in their craft and a shared belief that life is richer when you step fearlessly towards the flames.

Laaiksfood: 083 366 8999 laaiksfood@gmail.com  Meal Maniac: 073 997 7125

The Gallery ~ Art and Antiques in Haenertsburg Village

Just in time for the December festivities, three Haenertsburg artists have opened a new gallery in the village. Anton de Klerk, Fredl van der Merwe and Marloe Scott Wilson bring their own vivid styles to the space, with antiques from Johann Ellis adding a note of timeless charm.

Anton’s distinctive art has been displayed at markets and outside Bistro Haenertsburg. Using pyrography, he burns patterns into wood with patient precision, then paints each design with colour that seems to rise from the grain itself. His wall pieces draw the eye with their intricate detail, while his bright, characterful walking sticks have become firm favourites among locals and travellers.

After a career in civil engineering, Fredl has stepped into the world of digital art with bold confidence. His abstract designs burst with colour and movement, printed on canvas in sizes that suit both generous corporate walls and intimate homes. His mandalas and kaleidoscopes seem to turn gently as you look at them. He also prints on aluminium, a choice that brings a sleek sheen, and his own coffee table design holds one such piece as its luminous centre.

Marloe, well known as a singer, found a new creative path when she moved from Jozi to a Limpopo farm where dogs, cats, horses and chickens keep her company. In her studio she paints both large and small works, surreal and abstract, sometimes textured, always full of colour. Many feature ethereal faces she calls visitors, as if captured in a moment between one world and the next.

Visit them on Rush Street opposite Bistro in Haenertsburg:  082 493 5403