Of Zonderwater, Du Toit and De Villiers

Zonderwater was the name of the POW camp in Paarl, where the Italian's were interned from 1939 to 1945 and it was this creative group that were deployed into building the first section of the old Du Toit's Kloof Pass (R101). Next time you're heading north (or south) save yourself the R33 toll fee and take the bike over the old pass. About halfway up the western side of the pass is a granite plaque commemorating the efforts of the Italians. If you look slightly more east from the plaque, there is a stand-alone peak called Hugenote Top where the Italians erected a sizable aluminium cross to celebrate the end of the war, their repatriation to Italy and their friendships that they forged with the townsfolk of Paarl. It stands proudly on the peak to this day.

The pass is slow and long, but the rewards are worth every second of your time. For those of you not in the Western Cape, you can cyber drive it with us on the link below and uncover some of the fascinating history of this 'not so old' road.

https://mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za/news/item/966-latest-news-14th-april,-2016.html