Munnik (J 5)

Name: Munnik

Munnik Village is 55km from Polokwane on the R81 Modjadjiskloof (previously Duiwelskloof) road and the little train station of Munnik was on more than one occasion crowned the most beautiful train station in South Africa. The town was established in 1917 and will in 2017 celebrate its centenary.

But, with the decline in farming activities and the many obstacles cattle farmers in the area experienced, it has over the years fallen on hard times. Trains don't stop at Munnik anymore to collect cattle for the market. Now they just clickaty-clack past. The bellows of cattle and the shoosh sound of steam have been replaced by the bass sound of diesel trains on their way to Zimbabwe with their hectolitres of fuel.

A group of the surrounding farmers have now decided to take it upon themselves to repair Munnik to its former glory and to investigate the possibility of steam trains stopping over with loads of tourists.

Charlotte Knott of Mahutu Lodge and Felicity Oldreive of Gwent B&B (left) are two of the enthusiastic team members who want to make things happen for Munnik. Munnik is surrounded by Munnik Conservancy, Wilgebos Conservancy, Bloemtuin Conservancy and Ivy Safaris. The well-known ZZ2 farms play a key role in the upkeep of the town. This group of interested parties have formed a committee who will steer the initiatives.

The first Munnik Meerkat Mountain Bike Challenge was held recently with over 200 cyclists participating. The committee will meet within the next few weeks to decide on further initiatives for the upliftment of Munnik.

There is hope for Munnik. It all depends on the success of the initiatives launched by the people of Munnik and whether tourists will keep on driving past on their way to Kruger and the lowveld, in the process missing out on the great experience of what was once the thriving agricultural town, Munnik Village.

Wouldn't it be nice if Polokwane's 2010 soccer visitors could drive out to a newly revamped Munnik for a real South African braai where game is the meat of choice?

Click here for more photos of Munnik Village and railway station

Enquiries: Felicity Oldreive +27 83 450 2003

http://www.mypolokwane.com/munnik-village-to-be-revived
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