28 September to 1 October at Pilgrim's Rest Mpumalanga
14 September 2006
South Africa hosted the most memorable World Gold Panning Championships in
2005 at Pilgrim's Rest where 20 member countries and more than a thousand
participants battled it out for nuggets. This is more than adequate proof that
the gold fever that ignited a spirit of adventure in thousands of men and women
in the past is still very prevalent in South Africa today.
The successful partnership between the South African Gold Panning
Association and Mpumalanga's Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation has,
through the promotion of gold panning, successfully transformed gold panning to
a hands-on "live your heritage" experience. This process has met with a great
deal of enthusiasm from the public as gold panning is supported and practised
by people from all races, genders and ages. It is not expensive to get into, as
little equipment is needed and no special physical attributes are required
other than enthusiasm and passion. The utilisation of gold panning as an all
inclusive heritage activity has also contributed greatly to nation building and
cross-cultural understanding.
The South African Gold Panning Association (SAGPA) would like to invite all
gold panners and beginner gold panners to join us at the 2006 South African
Championships which will be held from 28 September to 1 October at Pilgrim's
Rest. Once again SAGPA in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of
Culture, Sport and Recreation will be making every effort to present an
exciting and memorable event.
First time gold panners need not fear as there will be a gold panning
practice facility at the championship site and the actual championships make
provision for beginners categories. There are also categories for the under six
year olds and children. Each competitor receives a gold pan and a bucket of
sand in which a specific number of nuggets are hidden. The winner will have
panned out the most nuggets in the shortest time. The numbers of nuggets in the
buckets are only known to the chief judge and participants are penalised for
lost nuggets.
The Championship programme:
Wednesday 27 September
Registration: Gold panning office
Mineral market: Information centre
Gold panning school: Diggings site museum
Geological tour: Bookings at information centre
Tgme mining tour: Bookings at information centre
Thursday, 28 September
Registration: Gold Panning Office
Mineral market: Information centre
09h00: Gold symposiums, Town Hall
Gold panning school: Diggings Site Museum
17h00: street parade (start at Highwayman's Garage)
18h00: official opening at competition site, music at hospitality tent
Friday, 29 September
Final registrations (07h00 to 08h00) at competition site
Gold panning competition from 09h00
Geological tour: Bookings at information centre
Tgme mining tour: Bookings at information centre
16h00: Wheelbarrow races (start and finish at royal hotel)
18h00: Digger's pub crawl
Saturday, 30 September
Gold panning competition from 09h00
19h00: Diggers Dance Rec Hall
Sunday, 1 October
Gold panning competition and finals from 09h00, prize giving and closing
ceremony
At the South African National Gold Panning Championships there are also the
customary special events for gold panners. These events have been included in
the programme for the 2006 National Championships.
Gold symposium
Thursday, 28 September
This symposium deals with general aspects around the gold and geology of
Pilgrim's Rest and South Africa. Topics range from ancient mining to highly
specialise mining methods and the role of the gold industry in South
Africa.
Free of charge at Digger's pub crawl
Friday, 29 September
Although Pilgrim's Rest is a small historic village, it has a total of eight
pubs and two shebeens. A shebeen, an informal traditional African tavern, is
normally found in the townships of South Africa. The Pub Crawl requires that
each participant collects a stamp from each of the pubs and shebeens to qualify
for the lucky draw and prize
Cost: R5,00 per ticket
Wheelbarrow race
Friday, 29 September
In 1873 Alec "Wheelbarrow" Patterson a prospector and recluse discovered
gold in the Pilgrim's Creek. He travelled alone, transporting all his worldly
possessions in a wooden wheelbarrow, hence the name given to him by the other
diggers on the gold fields.
At South African gold panning events a wheelbarrow race is held to
commemorate the discovery of alluvial gold at Pilgrim's Rest. The race consists
of relay teams (eight men pushing the wheelbarrow and two lady jockeys)
competing over a distance of 1,5 kilometre from up town to down town.
Registration: R50,00 per team
Diggers dance
Saturday, 30 September
At the annual Diggers Dance the gold panners get together to socialise
before the gold panning finals on Sunday. The ticket includes a meal, a tin mug
and plate and a diggers hat.
Geological tours
The gold mines in the area owe their origins to volcanic activity between 2
070 and 2630 million years ago. It was during this period that the gold veins
began to form. Guided tours to sites of interest will take place during the
championships.
Enquiries:
Cheryl van Dyk or Christine Rowe
Tel: (013) 768 1471
Issued by: Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mpumalanga
Provincial Government
14 September 2006
