Oudtshoorn: The charm of the Little Karoo
Oudtshoorn may be synonymous with the ostrich trade, but there’s much more to see in the quaint town
When Lady Gaga made a splash at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony last month, it wasn’t just her performance that caused heads to turn. Her black leather outfit, replete with pink ostrich plumes, was also a talking point. Those feathers were sourced for design house Chanel and were given to Dior to create the get-up for the superstar. But they started their journey in the charming Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, in the Western Cape.
Oudtshoorn is synonymous with ostriches, even if the feather industry is now a far cry from its boom days. Once the “ostrich capital of the world”, its allure faded as the motor car replaced the horse-drawn carriage; ostrich-feather hats were impractical in the faster-moving vehicles. Still, even today you’re never far from ostrich products in the town — feathers, bags, accessories and dusters. And ostrich safaris...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.