PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Len Swimmer, the chairperson of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society (VPHS), unpacked the history of poorts and passes - the legacy left by father Andrew Geddes Bain and son Thomas Charles Bain - at a packed Beacon Isle resort venue recently.
It was Swimmer's second presentation at the VPHS and also his 87th birthday, which was celebrated in style with a sauvage (champagne cork popping) by Beacon Isle food and beverage manager Justin Sewpershad.
The two Bains were responsible for constructing some spectacular mountain passes, using unskilled convict labour.
Andrew's name lives on in the Bainskloof Pass, while Thomas' feats include the Prince Alfred's Pass, Piekenierskloof Pass, as well as the construction of the Seven Passes Road between George and Knysna that took 15 years to complete.
This road, besides linking Knysna to George and other more developed areas to the west, replaced the dreaded river crossing at Kaaimansgat, which early travellers described with loathing.
Thomas next built a series of crossings of the Langeberg and Outeniqua ranges. These were the Robinson, Tradouw, Garcia and Burger's passes and the Cogmanskloof Pass, all of which helped greatly to open up the hinterland.
Dry stone walls
Thomas Bain was arguably among the best of road builders and engineers of his time. His contribution to South African road engineering must rank among the greatest made by any engineer.
Thomas and his father Andrew perfected the technique of constructing drystone retaining walls - many of considerable height and length.
The roads they built are still standing and in use to this day.
Andrew was responsible for 14 major passes and Thomas for an incredible 42, said Swimmer.
Sketches
But engineering was not the only attribute of Andrew Geddes Bain, he said. While in Grahamstown, he wrote satirical sketches for local amateur dramatic entertainment and invented the character Caatje (Kaatje) Kekkelbek (Katie Gossip) or Life Among the Hottentots (1838).
Kaatje Kekkelbek endeared herself to South Africans, and held John Philip and other missionaries up to ridicule. Kaatje, the Hottentot girl, used Hottentot Afrikaans in the spoken parts, and sang in Afrikaans/English.
She came on stage playing a harmonica ("mondfluitjie" in Afrikaans).
Swimmer entertained guests with his own rendition of Kaatje's poem:
"My name is Kaatje Kekkelbek,
I come from Kat Rivier,
Daer's van water geen gebrek,
But scarce of wine and beer
Myn A B C at Philip's school
I learnt so kleine beetje,
But left it just as great o fool
As gekke Tante Meitje"
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
