Transkei Stories

[@debbypotgieter4868]

I admire what you are doing. Our Nolali Education Centre assists schools in our area where we are based in the south of Transkei. We have open doors to you if and when you are ready to cover the education story and I'd love to contribute info in whatever way possible.

[@vanessayelseth6766]

Well done Ben - beautifully done! I will be staying tuned in .....

[@The1-4287]

Transkei touches my soul too❤

[@patriciawatson9978]

Brilliant! So looking forward to stories as they unfold. So fresh and relevant.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Your support means a lot. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️

[@brentquinn6564]

This is going to be a fabulous journey. Ben's style and approach is unpretentious and just so welcoming. Looking at culture, life and costal issues from this languid travelogue vantage point is such a relief. He makes us feel we are along for the ride and what a ride, what a place and what people! Each episode is like a mini-breakaway from our urban cages, into something older, untainted but also so fragile. I'm sure he will soon be clicking away in isiXhoza too. On an aesthetic note, I vote for Ben never fixing his front tooth!

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you Brent! Your kind words are a wonderful encouragement. And you get what it’s about! I’m looking forward to the episode where we go fishing together. We can talk about life! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@garyleonard4009]

What a fantastic story to follow. I have liked,subscribed and shared. 👋👍🇿🇦

[@theidealisticman]

This just reminded me of HOME.

[@mphomniki9187]

I had to subscribe from the first minute. A beautiful story told very well. Indeed, that is worth fighting for, we will overcome the challenges we are facing.

[@janine1428]

Love the whole energy about what you're doing and the way you present it. You have my supoort for sure.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you @janine1428 That means a lot to me. Be sure to tune in this afternoon. New episode loading and it’s a very important one.

[@ProteaRidge]

Ben that’s really great mate. It’s honest. I certainly feel it. Super impressive and engaging and already rather deep and thought provoking. I want more. Well done.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thanks Mark. You’ve played a big role in getting it this far. You are an important player in the Transkei. Got your head screwed on right. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@cameronmurie]

I am so very pleased you met and interviewed Nonhle. Part of the challenge for you, perhaps, will be in the difficulties that come from asking the right sort of questions. I wish you everything of the best - and - thanks for explaining the tooth. 🙂

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you. Yep, Nonhle’s episode is going to be engaging. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@cameronmurie]

@@Transkei_Stories like I say, ask the right questions. I deeply respect that fine lady and what she stands for. Good luck.

[@joshuapotgieter4540]

Love this so much and can't wait for more!!

[@tandolwakemlotana8662]

I can't wait for this incredible journey, all the best champion!

[@tshiamisoukwuagu8804]

Amazing introductory episode, the conversation about Mkambati Matters project development is gonna be interesting.

[@Transkei_Stories]

I agree! 🙏🏼

[@kimdawtrey2196]

Look forward to your next one!

[@Transkei_Stories]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ceciliasaayman6244]

Wonderful idea. Thank you for the trouble you are taking to show us this part of the country in the way you do. CapeTown

[@Transkei_Stories]

👍🏼

[@Sindiswa668]

Thank you for the great film. 8:19 - 8:59 captured my soul.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you for watching and appreciating.

[@danroberts7511]

Quite unexpected, Ben. Beautiful production I’ll pass it around.

[@jessicakeefer8754]

Thank you for your information, we are looking to relocating to the Lujazu area soon. We getting to learn all about the area because of your videos! ❤ Amazing

[@lungelomtwa]

Great introduction Ben🙌🏼 this is fascinating! Thank you for this! It’s a start of something good.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thanks Lungelo. I certainly hope so, and with your support, it is possible. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@SethHorowitz]

Beautifully done brother Ben.

[@hestervanbiljon2638]

Thank you thank you for doing this. For many years we have been visiting, hiking the coast, doing horse trials...the place and it's people are imbede in our family stories

[@Transkei_Stories]

Once you catch the Transkei bug… that’s it! So glad you like the channel. Hopefully we’ll create a rich record of Transkei Stories. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[@gabrielhorowitz7882]

Excited to hear the stories!

[@thebuxtstopshere]

Sharing with global film and music addicts Ben.. kudos to you...

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thanks Stephan! Need all the help I can get.

[@sofiyabammukardam4119]

I like the isiXhosa subtitles ❤

[@Transkei_Stories]

Excellent. Some of the episodes will not be subtitled. I will see how many people comment, then decide if we are sticking with the subtitles. Sofar it looks like we should.

[@bevvanderhoven123]

Awesome....lived in Coffee Bay once upon a time

[@Transkei_Stories]

I’m looking forward to getting to know Coffee Bay. Thanks for watching. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@barryelliot9446]

Well done Ben. Mark Auret shared with me. I will definitely be following your channel

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thanks Barry! Welcome. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@LivingByFaithAndIntuition]

Just found your channel. As someone who wants to explore living in the eastern cape, this is valuable info for me. Thank you

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thanks for the encouragement. I’m really excited about the next phase of this adventure.

[@phaphamajoyi3173]

Hi Ben, This is some lovely work you are doing! I am one of the grandchildren of the late freedom fighters and Chiefs on Comrade King. We would love to have you at our homestead in Bhaziya, west of Mthatha in the Transkei.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Hi there. I would love to visit. I hope to be in your area in January. Maybe we should do an episode on the next generation. Thanks for reaching out to me. And thanks for the encouragement.

[@RiverCottageHQ-lz2vy]

Thrilled to have discovered you on Instagram by chance. Subscribed and looking forward to future content. The Transkei was a part of my youth as my father farmed at Ncora. We spent many holidays exploring the extraordinarily beautiful Wild Coast. Time to go back. From another dreamer and idealist.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Welcome on board!! Thanks so much. This is very encouraging. Hopefully it will remain the extraordinary place that it is. 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@malusimkhize7650]

Stumbled across this, looking forward and best of luck!

[@Transkei_Stories]

Very exciting. Getting very encouraging responses. What a journey!

[@kambrose1549]

Love this idea and your taster of what's to come is too mouthwatering! So glad I stumbled on this

[@Transkei_Stories]

So glad you like it! Welcome to Transkei Stories. 🙏🏼🌟🙏🏼🌟🙏🏼

[@bukiwelupindo4667]

Dont forget the wild cost is only part of the transkei... People tend to forget about us in South Drankensberg. The Intetwine culture of Basotho, amaXhosa, amaHlubi, Abaphuthi, abaThembi and so many other cultures that are considered minority while they still live there and exists. Obviously the beautiful Drankensberg Mountains and gateway to Lesotho

[@Transkei_Stories]

You are sooooo right! I look forward to exploring your part of the world. So much to do… so little time! 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for reaching out! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@BorisRivett]

Nice Ben. Now I know how you chipped your tooth. I was wondering about that. Great job

[@VVMVVMVVM]

Can’t wait to visit next month! Thanks so much for making this channel!

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you for finding it! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@katoosh1]

Nice Ben great story

[@DamianYoko]

Amazing stuff!

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thanks Damian!

[@katbokstudios]

ben this is amazing thanx brother

[@andrewwilkins9805]

Looking forward to this series! Why not keep the chipped tooth (it looks great!) and do an episode showcasing what it would take for a local person to access dentistry care if they had the same injury you did?😂

[@Transkei_Stories]

Andrew, that’s a great idea! Thank you!

[@davidpetzer5725]

Love it !!

[@Transkei_Stories]

🙏🏼

[@ntombimsissyt9110]

Looking good 🎉❤ thankyou Ben

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@conloubser]

Subscribed!!!

[@Transkei_Stories]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@funekanciweni2154]

Loving it already ❤

[@Transkei_Stories]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@samanthahorowitz3039]

Looking forward to seeing more Ben. When will the wedding be up? 😊

[@Transkei_Stories]

Hi there... probably Xmas day!!!

[@10sofHim]

Nice film. I'm from Transkei as well, between the coastal town of Port St John's and Lusikisiki, I must commend you for this. Made me nostalgic.Really appreciate it. This is the most underdeveloped part of the Eastern Cape and that's why people don't even bother to know that there are actually 27 towns in Transkei but just because it's not luxurious or rural a lot of people just reduce it to Transkei 😂 which is funny and infuriating. Just to touch on what the spokesperson of Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) is saying, which is one of the most talked about subjects in the region, The Wild Coast project has to be implemented, the ACC is very narrow or selfish in its articulations and I strongly disagree with them, Transkei cannot be a poor rural region forever, at some point it has to be developed. Of course views of local communities have to considered, which is what I strongly believe in, engagements must be at that level not through lobbyists that's why people end up dying, corrupt people like to manipulate divisions and capitalize on them but if it's community-led it's a different story. I understand a lot of ACC members have died as a result of the project, we don't take that lightly but we need development in that region otherwise we will forever be dependent on Bhisho or National government for self-sufficiency (which have neglected the region). Also what ACC fails to acknowledge or appreciate, is that the N2 will only cover a few kms in the Bizana area and downwards to Lusikisiki, Port St John's, Coffee Bay & etc which are not entirely opposed to the project. I hope they will be persuaded on their position. Otherwise nice film, looking forward to more if this. I've subscribed and liked the video as well.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you so much for your well considered response. I definitely need to do an episode that reflects your point if view regarding development along the wild coast. I am looking for the right character to represent that point of view. Maybe you can suggest someone.

[@10sofHim]

That would be great, I think the most senior person who represents this viewpoint is the late King of AmaMpondo, His majesty King Zanozuko Sigcau. He was one of the ambassadors for the project when he was alive, since he's no more, I think the royal family is firmly behind the project and can shed a some light. Ingquza Hill local, Port St John's and Nyandeni municipalities respectively might also be helpful to understand the perspective of government. Otherwise that side you will meet many folks who are not opposed.

[@Transkei_Stories]

@@10sofHimYes, thanks. I’ll find the right people. I think I must get to meet Chief Lunga Baleni too. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@janinevandeventer5099]

I would not leave living here for all the money in the world .what could be an added bonus if it to could be managed with more love .

[@Transkei_Stories]

Everything needs a lot more love! Absolutely! ❤️❤️❤️

[@dondacurator]

I just had to pause the film at 2:07🥰

[@dondacurator]

you such a beautiful soul

[@charlesmanning2266]

Transkei is so many different cultures. You seem to be up in the Northern coastal part mainly (Pondoland, if it is still called that) around Msikaba which is culturally very different from Port St Johns, Umtata etc. I spent a lot of time around Msikaba in the 1970s and early 1980s. This is in many ways one of the most isolated parts of South Africa and people live pretty much as they did back in the 1970s and, likely even going back 100 years before that. Yes, it is beautiful. But you can't eat beauty.

[@Transkei_Stories]

You’re right. 🙏🏼

[@dondacurator]

you know , its sometimes beautiful how things can be either accidentally or intelligently hidden in names. Gwe gewe to me sounds close to Isgwegwe , a word to primarily to discribe bowleg disformity but also metaphorically , a word to describe a path or condition that did not go straight 🙂, and that is very fitting to the development if this lodge,, ineyGweGwe shame

[@TheWheelchairSA]

Beautiful story. I am a videographer based in Joburg. I do editing, sound design and colour grading. Maybe I could be of good use to you.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Hi. I would love some help, but it’s just not within budget yet! Thanks for the offer. Where can I see your work?

[@infiniteabundance8287]

Me and my wife did a 100km hike threw the transkei and to be honest you need to cover the fact that there is only alcohol spazas and no food being sold especially fresh food even the flour we bought was off And the way the locals treat the Forest is appalling they burn them to plant cannabis There's allot of reasons why the transkei will never be a tourist haven because everyone living there also has a very strange attitude towards change and development They're destroying nature and want to claim it's theirs to destroy The up sides of transkei are still visible nevertheless I'm not a pessimist butt a realist

[@Transkei_Stories]

Yep, it’s clearly not all good, but there is so much good too. I hope my stories will be balanced. The conservation issues, like burning forests, might make a good story. Perhaps you could give me some leads. Thanks for the response, gives me lots to think about. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@charlesmanning2266]

Where abouts? You will likely get different experiences in different parts of Transkei. I once walked from Msikaba to PSJ. Fantastic walk, but we we were fearful of being robbed in one area.

[@SOUTHAFRICA-ECWC]

My home is in Nqamakwe in Transkei in Sihlabeni location. I'm now in the Western Cape.