20-Dec-2001 -- The Confluence lies close to the N3 highway that runs between Johannesburg and Durban. I decided to try and visit it on my way down to Sterkfontein dam for a holiday with my family. The dam lies on the escarpment close to Harrismith and is part of pump storage scheme that supplies water and electricity to Gauteng during peak demand times. It is excellent for sail boarding.
We found a turn-off from the N3 to a farm house almost directly opposite the Confluence. Due the spate of farm murders that the country is experiencing currently, farmers in South Africa are very wary of strangers on their farms, and signs warning us of armed guards made us approach the farm house with some trepidation. The farmer, a Mr. Gerhardus Corver, arrived home from the nearby town of Warden where he has a construction business, almost simultaneously with us. He turned out to be very friendly and helpful. He offered to walk with us to the Confluence, and then afterwards actually sent his bakkie around to come and pick us up, and invited us in for some cold drinks.
The Confluence lies on typical Free State grassland. "Ouvolk", an endangered reptile that looks like something between a large horny lizard and small crocodile, is common, and we saw quite a few while driving back from the Confluence. Pictures #2-5 are views South, East, North and West from the Confluence. Picture #6 shows the GPS and Picture 7 shows my family standing at the Confluence with the farmer also in the picture.