The Road to Nieu Bethesda Geography of South Africa


“God, this Karoo dust gets right into your pores. I can even taste it. That fi rst mouthful of tea will be mud.” —Elsa


THE VILLAGE OF NIEU BETHESDA is nestled in a kloof or valley in the Karoo region, next to the Sneeuberg Mountains. Although Nieu Bethesda is surrounded by the arid dessert of the Karoo, the secluded town is an oasis amidst that vast dessert. Nieu Bethesda receives its water from a spring on a plateau just above the town. A furrow system brings the water down to the homes of Nieu Bethesda. The town has no street lights, gas station, or bank.


GRAAFF-REINET


is


the


nearest


CAPE TOWN, where Elsa lives,


developed town to Nieu Bethesda, an hour away by car. The town has museums, art galleries, attractions, and larger businesses and schools than those in Nieu Bethesda.


is


located in the Western Cape of South Africa and is still one of the most urban cities in South Africa. Due to policies set forth by the South African government in the 1970s, Cape Town was largely populated with white citizens, while black citizens were forced to the outer suburbs.


THE GREAT KAROO is a region in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The Great Karoo is a narrow strip of semi dessert. Karoo translates to “the land of thirst.”


Great Karoo Cape Town 6 ROUNDABOUTTHEATRECOMPANY Nieu Bethesda Graaf-Reinet


THE NATIONAL ROUTE, built in the 1970s as a route to and from Nieu Bethesda, is the road Elsa would have taken for the 12-hour car ride from Cape Town.


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