Biltong, celebrated the South African way

IN 2010 nearly 1,5-tons of the South African delicacy “biltong” was devoured and over 10 000 hungry people came to indulge in the meaty treat hosted by the Blue Crane Route Municipality and Castle Lager at the foothills of the Boschberg Mountains. 

Biltong season is again upon the Eastern Cape and the picturesque town of Somerset East is preparing itself for the event of the year – the annual Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival.

“We truly live in the province of festivals during the Eastern Cape winter,” said Nelson Mandela Bat Tourism chief executive, Mandlakazi Skefile. “Our winter campaign encourages people to feel like a kid again and there is nothing quite like a festival to nurture the inner child. The Biltong festival is one of a bevy of festivals to ignite the province this winter – and will certainly give visitors to the province something to chew on.

“Somerset East is also a great tourism destination in the province – and we encourage those wanting to attend the Biltong Festival to come via Nelson Mandela Bay, the gateway to the province of festivals, and experience the cities and towns of the Eastern Cape whilst on a unique winter break.”

Celebrating its 21st edition, the 2011 Festival is a true celebration of Karoo living and promises a variety of biltong: from kudu and chicken to buffalo and even giraffe.  This year’s menu is flush with over 300 stalls ranging from food, curios, and outdoor products. There is entertainment specifically catered for children, including face painting, Popsie the Clown and for the more adventurous paintball, quad biking and fly-fishing demonstrations.

But, the main course of the 2011 Biltong Festival, along with the samplings of biltong and Castle, is the entertainment line-up. Festival enthusiasts can look forward to singing along with some of South Africa’s most popular performers: Kurt Darren, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Lianie May, Jay, Lloyd Cele, Christo and Cobus, Giovanni, Die Campbells, Emo Adams, Liquideep, and Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, amongst others.

However, the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival is more than just a fun, Proudly South African initiative. It is also used as a vehicle to lend a helping hand to the underprivileged in the community. Over the past six years the profits from the Festival Beer Tent, run by the Somerset East Round Table, has been donated to a series of organisations that assist the underprivileged. To date, R150 000 has been donated.

With the majestic Boschberg Mountain as backdrop, the historical town of Somerset East has intriguing stories waiting to be told – like that of ‘Samson of the Mountain’, John Kepe, and friend of Pablo Picasso, well-known artist Walter Battiss. The town also boasts several provincial heritage sites and monuments including the permanent Slagter’s Nek Exhibition housed in the Somerset East Museum.

For those who are more adventurous and like to walk on the wild side, the area offers various adrenaline-inspired activities like abseiling, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, 4X4 trails, river tubing and rock climbing. But, it also offers visitors the chance to admire the four varying biomes of this area up close and personal by birding, game viewing, camping, and horse riding. Being a town that is so close to nature, it is no surprise that Somerset East annually hosts the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival.