The Karoo Food Festival is a vibrant annual celebration of the rich food heritage and flavours of the Karoo. Hosted in Cradock, this event brings together food lovers, chefs, and artisans to showcase the region’s unique dishes, from traditional Karoo lamb to innovative local creations. The festival features live cooking demonstrations, food tastings, market stalls, and interactive experiences that highlight the culture, history, and hospitality of the Karoo.

Beyond food, the event fosters community engagement through partnerships with local businesses, creatives, and influencers, ensuring a dynamic and immersive experience. With a strong marketing presence, including influencer collaborations and digital promotions, the festival continues to attract visitors from across the country, making it a key highlight on South Africa’s food calendar.

First Published here: MyZA.co.za

Did You Know?

• Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
• Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
• Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
• Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
• Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
• Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
• Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.

The Race To Cradock (RTC) is an unforgettable adventure by bike from Rhodes to Cradock in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.]

RTC is a physically and mentally demanding undertaking – to complete this challenge, riders need to be adequately trained, equipped and prepared. Apart from the fitness, riders also need to be proficient at navigation and bike maintenance.

Since the route is not marked, riders need to navigate by means of maps, compass and narrative directions – the use of GPS devices during the race is not allowed and will lead to disqualification.

DATES

• The next RTC will take place in mid June 2027

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BASIC INFORMATION

?Non-stop event, riders are not required to stop every day/night as in other stage races

• There are 4 Support stations where riders must check-in. Food and basic accommodation is provided at support stations. Bedding and towels provided

• Riders can pre-pack 4 x 2litre ice-cream tubs with supplies such as maps, trail food, personal medications, spares etc. These are distributed to the 4 Support stations

• In addition to the 4 support stations, there are also 5 interim stops where food and accommodation is provided

• Solo event and all riders are required to be self-sufficient and carry all their own personal belongings with them

• No individual seconding is permitted during the event – this means that no friends, family or other supporters may meet you along the route and offer assistance during the ride

• Cut-off: Riders are allowed a maximum of 6 days to complete the ride

• Rider vehicles can be transferred from Rhodes to Cradock at additional cost (2025 = R2400 plus VAT)?

RACE ROUTE

The route follows the Freedom Trail from Rhodes to Cradock through the Stormberg region of South Africa along a wide variety of off-road terrain – dirt roads, farm roads and tracks, footpaths and animal tracks. Many of the trails retrace old historic wagon routes which are no longer in regular use. Apart from the riding, there are numerous portage sections where riders will have to hike, push and even carry their bikes.

First Published here: MyZA.co.za

Did You Know?

• Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
• Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
• Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
• Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
• Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
• Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
• Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.