ABOUT TOGWAT
Mountain views, Accommodation, Destinations and More
about us
Togwat Mountain Retreat is a developing permaculture farm
with splendid 360 degree mountain views, just off Route 62 in the famous
Voorbaat Valley, Ladismith, Western Cape.
Togwat Mountain Retreat is one of six farms in the Voorbaat
Valley that borders and has access to 1000 hectares of the Towerkop Nature
Reserve in the Klein Karoo.
Towerkop Nature Reserve is managed as part of the
Swartberg Nature Reserve and the whole conservation area makes up a rather huge
180 000 hectares that is critical for the arid Karoo, the entire area is a
proclaimed a protected area. The main reason for the reserves’ existence is to
conserve the water resources in the mountains, the fynbos and protect the
catchment area from soil erosion. The Voorbaat Valley is situated in the Klein
Karoo fruit belt, well known for producing grapes, berries, peaches, figs and
apricots. Togwat farm produced Chenin Blanc grapes which were provided to the
Ladismith Wine Cellar for many years; however the vines suffered damage and are
currently being rehabilitated into traditional ‘bosstok’ vines. We are hoping
to revive enough vines to produce table grapes and a couple of bottles of our
very own Togwat Chenin Blanc.
Togwat Mountain Retreat will over time transform into a permaculture farm
reducing the number of vines and introducing a food forest with a wide variety
of fruit and nut trees berries alongside a perennial and annual vegetables and
herb garden. With the focus on sustainability and following the permaculture
ethical principles, Care of the Earth. Care of People. Return of surplus to Earth and
people (also called “Fair Share”) as the pillars
and the 12 permaculture design principles as the foundation to create an
ecosystem of sustainability.
Nature has the power to restore our weary hearts and minds
Observe and interact
By taking time to engage with nature we can design solutions that suit our particular situation.
Catch and store energy
By developing systems that collect resources at peak abundance, we can use them in times of need.
Obtain a yield
Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the work that you are doing.
Apply self-regulation and accept feedback
We need to discourage inappropriate activity to ensure that systems can continue to function well.
Use value renewable
resources
Make the best use of nature's abundance to reduce our consumptive behavior and dependence on non-renewable resources.
Produce no waste
By valuing and making use of all the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste.
Design from patterns to details
By stepping back, we can observe patterns in nature and society. These can form the backbone of our designs, with the details filled in as we go.
Integrate rather than segregate
By putting the right things in the right place, relationships develop between those things and they work together to support each other.
Use small and slow solutions
Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and producing more sustainable outcomes.
Use and value diversity
Diversity reduces vulnerability to a variety of threats and takes advantage of the unique nature of the environment in which it resides.
Use edges and value the marginal
The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse and productive elements in the system.
Creatively use and respond to change
We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing, and then intervening at the right time.