Every last Saturday of the month, Mom and I would dress up for our monthly visit to our little village. This was so exciting as Mom will allow me to buy the best sweets that Uncle Solomon has to offer in his little trading store. I will stand for hours in front of the can fruit bottles, carefully weighing my options between the “Appelkosies”, the “Drops” (liquorice) Nicker balls and Wilson toffies. Mom will buy some flour, oil, sweet aid, salt and pepper, tea and coffee for the pantry. Mom will ask Uncle Solomon to write it up in the book. Mom use the settle the account just after the harvest season. Uncle Solomon use to pack all our purchases in a brown box covered with brown paper which he love to the call the “dorpskardoes”.

My wish is to give you that same experience. I will go to great lengths and search al the little village shops, like Uncle Solomons and choose the best they have to offer and bring it to you in a “dorpskardoes”.  I want to bring the same excitement to you as I had as a child. Come along, open your chosen dorpskardoes and enjoy the best of what our country has to offer.  (Strauss Odendaal)