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Ladismith - The Jewel of the Klein Karoo:
Ladismith is situated at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain in the Klein Karoo on the well-known Route 62. The majestic Towerkop with its split peak keeps watch over the town. Halfway up Elandsberg - to the right of Towerkop - is Stanley de Wit's "liggie" (light) which he erected in 1963. It is most probably the smallest hydro-electric generator in the world which operates day and night while the water supply is constant.
The town is the center of a prosperous farming community which produces a variety of fruit, i e apricots, peaches, plums, figs, pomegranates, pears and grapes. Lately more and more olive orchards are being planted and the rare Jajoba plant is cultivated in the district. Fruit are dried on a large scale as well.
Two cheese factories produce a variety of cheeses and the winery makes wines and pot-stilled brandy. Sheep, goats and ostriches can be seen on the farms and farmers are starting to stock their land with game.
The Dutch Reformed congregation seceded from the Riversdale congregation in 1851 and a church was built on a piece of the farm "Ylands Valley", donated to the congregation by Baltzazar Klopper. the town was layed out in 1852 and named after Lady Juana Smith, the wife of the governor general of the Cape Colony at that time, Sir Harry Smith.
The unspoilt scenery of the Klein Karoo, the majestic mountains on the one side and the planes on the other side, provide a diversity of scenery.The unpolluted air, pleasant climate, friendly people, low traffic rate on the roads and relative low crime rate makes Ladismith the ideal choice of retirement where all the things the town and surroundings offer, can be explored and experienced.
Distances from other towns:
* Barrydale - 79 km on Route 62
* Calitzdorp - 48 km on Route 62
* Oudtshoorn - 98 km - Route 62 * George - 159 km (R62/N12) (airport -164 km - regular flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban)
* Riversdale - 87 km (R323)
* Mossel Bay - (R323/N2)
* Montagu - 137 km - Roete 62
* Cape Town International Airport - 332 km
* Port Elizabeth - 500 km
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