The Garden Route is considered the gem of South Africa for good reason. The lush surrounding forests, pristine nature reserves, waterfalls, rock pools, and friendly locals make this area very popular. One of the more interesting towns to be found in this region is Sedgefield.
Surrounded by the Indian Ocean on the eastern coast, nature reserves, and lakes, Sedgefield is a picturesque place, as well as the very first Cittaslow town in South Africa. The Cittaslow movement literally means “Slow City”, and was first started in Italy.
So a Slow City means …
In case you still aren’t quite sure what a ‘Slow City’ really is, the explanation in a nutshell is that it’s a town or city which resists the pressures of modern wasteful living, and promotes the overall improvement of the town; while also looking after the environment, population, and visitors.
There are over 60 requirements for a Slow Town, including:
- Not exceeding a population of 50,000
- Reducing air, light, and noise pollution
- Measuring and protecting water quality
- Supporting home composting of waste
- Sustaining well-kept public green spaces
- Encouraging eco-friendly architecture
- Promoting and encouraging organic farming
- Establishing well-marked tourist routes and trails with supporting information
Though the criteria for a Slow Town may sound daunting, it actually promotes a better lifestyle, and gives rise to a more family-orientated community. Slow Cities are great places to raise children, as they encourage the majority of the population to enjoy healthy, dynamic outdoor activities, rather than settle in at home as a part of the TV-zombies generation.
The Cittaslow Pledge:
A quality of life for all
Living a healthy lifestyle
Looking after our elderly
Preserving traditional food
Caring for our environment
Community decision making
Having community networks
Promoting unique town events
Encouraging our young people
Working for a sustainable future
Taking time for leisure & pleasure
Preserving the heritage of our town
Controlled growth and urban planning
Encouraging awareness and education
Promoting local markets & unique products
Our community and council working together
Creating a people friendly urban environment
Supporting our local products and businesses
Attractions
Apart from the unique stance Sedgefield has taken, there are plenty of great attractions on offer, such as thriving markets, uplifting community programmes, and a strong travel and open-air adventure industry.
In fact, one of the most popular activities for visitors and locals alike is the Wild Oats Farmers market held every Saturday morning in the Scarab village, which is adjacent to the lagoon. Here you can find a large number of local crafts and artworks displayed; as well as a variety of fresh produce on offer, and even a gourmet restaurant or two. You can buy organically grown herbs and plants to take home to your garden, or even pick-up a hand-carved African-styled statue or two.
The tortoise is Sedgefield’s local mascot and you can find Tortoise towers dotted around the town. These are set on top of concrete pillars, showcasing this slow-but-steady animal as a reminder to visitors that the “Go Slow” movement is not just a saying, but something that is lived every day here. These are a must-snap item for your holiday photo album.
There are plenty of outdoor-orientated activities to keep you occupied, such as kite flying, fishing, hiking, surfing, and even paintball. Locals tend to enjoy picnics on the beach, making full use of the warm climate and almost endless days of sunshine; and the lagoon is a great spot for families who have little water-babies in their midst.
Accommodation
Sedgefield is a wonderful place to stay if you are planning on visiting some of the other nearby towns like Knysna, George, or Tsitsikamma. In fact, if you want to enjoy the annual Knysna Oyster festival, you’d be better off enquiring at accommodations in Sedgefield, which tend not to fill quite as quickly as those on offer in Knysna.
There are many owner-run guest houses and self-catering chalets situated around the gorgeous lagoon, and avid birdwatchers will enjoy the variety of species that can be found here.
