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Watch: Oom Willem takes a trip to the Cape and visits some ostriches near a cave (Film 10)

From Cango Caves to ostrich capital: a journey through Oudtshoorn

By Andries van Zyl • 9 August 2025
Watch: Oom Willem takes a trip to the Cape and visits some ostriches near a cave (Film 10)

Join Oom Willem's 1920s Western Cape adventure, from Swellendam's Drostdy to the Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn's ostrich farms. Witness early motor travel, charming encounters, and a dramatic car rescue in this silent film journey.

We are back on the road again with our adventurous Oom Willem van den Berg, this time trying to piece together his trip through the Western Cape almost 100 years ago. Once again, we had our work cut out for us, as the few distinguishing landmarks made it difficult to determine the exact locations visited by him, his wife Tannie Jo, and some friends.

As usual, we called in the help of our resident, self-employed archivist, cultural historian, and heritage specialist, Pétria de Vaal. In E...

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