Transkei Tourism: Waterfalls
Transkei, Butterworth · 1979-09-04
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
Click any photo to see it enlarged.
front
This cover is postmarked on 4 September 1979 in Butterworth. It forms part of a Transkei issue celebrating four of the region's most notable waterfalls. The four stamps each capture a different fall. Magwa Falls plunges 125 metres down a narrow gorge near Lusikisiki, deceptively unremarkable looking until the river suddenly drops away. Bawa Falls, just six kilometres from Butterworth, stands over 100 metres high and carries a grim history as a former execution site used by Fingo chiefs. Waterfall Bluff on the Mlambomkulu River is one of only three places in the world where a river flows directly into the sea over a waterfall. Tsitsa Falls near Qumbu reaches 106 metres and was, at the time, being considered as a possible site for a hydro-electric scheme on the scale of Cabora Bassa. One detail worth noting is just how tied these waterfalls were to everyday Transkei life at the time. Beyond their scenic value, the info card notes that women and girls regularly used the smaller falls along local rivers as a laundry spot, rinsing garments in the spray on sunny days.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a single waterfall rendered entirely in green tones, cascading down a sheer rock face into a pool below. The style is loose and almost impressionistic, using layered brush strokes to suggest the movement of falling water rather than a precise photographic likeness. The green colour palette gives the whole design a cool, natural feel that fits its subject well. There is no border or frame around the illustration, letting the waterfall spill down the left edge of the cover almost like it is falling off the page itself. Below the illustration the title reads Waterfalls of Transkei in a simple italic script. It is an understated design that puts the region's natural landscape front and centre rather than any human figure or building.
Information Card
Transkei Tourism The major waterfalls in Transkei, though spectacularly beautiful, are almost all fairly inaccessible except to enthusiastic hikers. Enquiries should be made at the nearest town regarding the condition of the roads leading to the falls. The Departments of Agriculture and Forestry and of Works and Energy are presently conducting hydrological surveys of the Transkei rivers and the first hydro-electric scheme, that on the Umtata River, will probably be completed in September 1979. Bawa Falls, six kilometres from Butterworth, are over 100 metres high and legend has that the sheer rock face was used as an execution site by the Fingo chiefs. Believed to be one of only three places in the world where a river enters the sea over a waterfall, Waterfall Bluff on the Mlambomkulu River is more than 60 metres high and after the rainy season is a unique sight, with the turbulent brown flood waters plunging into the waves lapping the Transkei coastline. The route to Waterfall Bluff is via Lusikisiki on the Lupatana Road and entails a 45-minute walk, but it is well worth the effort. Also fairly close to Lusikisiki are the well-known Magwa Falls. These falls appear insignificant at first glance but the narrow, slow-moving river suddenly plunges 125 metres down a narrow gorge, the spray from the falls drenching the rock face only metres away. Tsitsa Falls, not far from Qumbu, are 106 metres high and present an awe-inspiring sight when in full flood. It is possible that within the next five years a hydro-electric scheme similar to and as large as that at Cabora Bassa will be sited here. These falls are situated about 15 kilometres from the main Durban/East London road. For centuries the small, pretty waterfalls found along every river have served both as a refreshing cold shower and as a laundry for Transkeians. On a sunny day the traveller will see many Transkeian women and girls doing their washing on the flat rocks under the falls and rinsing off the garments in the spray.
Theme: Heritage
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.39 (ZAR)
Estimated value: ~US$0.1
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 177 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
