Message From the General Manager
From unrivalled mountain vistas with the chance of snow-capped peaks, to crisp, clear days perfect for hiking – a world of stunning natural beauty awaits you at Cathedral Peak Hotel this winter.
We eagerly look forward to experiencing the beauty of snowfall in the months ahead. To keep up to date with the latest snow forecast, check out SnowReport, and for snow announcements at the hotel, follow us on social media or visit our webcams on our website to view it for yourself.
Winter is fire-break season and burning will start to take place soon. We ask our guests to please keep an eye on our boards at reception and outside the dining room for the latest updates with regards to fires before planning your hike.
We have an exciting project on the go at the moment, which will help us reduce our reliance on Eskom for electricity, as well as the amount of diesel currently being used to run our generators during loadshedding.
We will share more info on this venture as soon as it starts to become a reality.
We hope you will join us and recharge your batteries with scrumptious, hearty buffet-style meals and warm log fires for those chilly nights!
Bruce Botes
In fond remembrance of Harry Raghu, a legend whose legacy lives on through Harry’s Bar
It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of Harry Raghu, who died peacefully in his sleep at home at the age of 100 years old. Affectionately known as Nana, Harry truly was a celebrity within the community of Ladysmith and Cathedral Peak Hotel.
Harry was born on 3 May 1923 in Riverside, Durban, but was only officially registered in 1927. In 1940, Harry made his way to Punitsput, near Ladysmith, where he discovered a sense of belonging. After a brief return to Durban in 1948, working at the Lion Match factory, unforeseen circumstances forced him and his family to flee Riverside during the Indian riots of 1949. Determined to rebuild their lives, they boarded a train to Ladysmith, where a new opportunity awaited.
It was nearby, amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of Cathedral Peak Hotel, that Harry was offered a position as a humble “pageboy” with a monthly salary of 1.50 pounds. Initially, he believed the salary too low, but he determined to make the most of the opportunity, and decided to work through the night and return to Ladysmith the following day.
He received 3 pounds in tips that night alone, so he never left. Harry’s path led him to become a Bar Waiter, gradually rising to the esteemed position of Head Barman in what was once an exclusive men-only bar.
When the time came to christen the bar with a name, the choice was clear. There was one name that held the essence of warmth, friendship and dedication: Harry’s.
Harry worked at the hotel for over 40 years and possessed an impeccably sharp mind. When it came to gambling, he was an unrivalled virtuoso. From horses to darts, cards to matches, and even the realm of sports – you name it and he was in. Many guests and staff learned not to bet against Harry at their peril. He effortlessly multiplied his earnings through his gambling escapades, consistently surpassing his salary with ease.
In the later years of his life, Harry dedicated himself to serving the congregation of the Sri Sri Radha Shyamsunder Temple, utilising his remarkable talents for their benefit. His love for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew no bounds, and his presence always brought joy and warmth to their lives. A passionate sports enthusiast, he found immense delight in watching the Proteas play cricket, while his love for reading and listening to the radio provided him with endless sources of inspiration and enjoyment.
He was not only a remarkable father, grandfather, friend and colleague, but also a cherished storyteller whose tales will forever warm our hearts.
May his soul rest in everlasting peace.
EXCITING UPGRADES & REFURBISHMENTS
We’re always looking for ways to provide an even better experience for all our guests, and our continued upgrades are a part of this mission. Our luxurious Presidential Suite has had a few more improvements over the last two months, including the respraying of the tar road, retiling of the outside veranda area, furniture upgrades and the installation of two new larger TVs.
In Albert’s Bar, a number of the couches have been beautifully recovered in rich burgundy. More upgrades are planned for the next few months, and we look forward to being able to share these with you.
RECENT
HIGHLIGHTS
& UPCOMING
EVENTS
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
2023 TRAVEL SHOWS
The Cathedral Peak Hotel Team was very excited to attend WTM Africa in Cape Town at the beginning of April, and our first post-COVID Africa’s Travel Indaba at the Durban ICC at the beginning of May. These trade shows provide the ideal platform to showcase our offering to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies and leisure tourism services partners. We look forward to participating again next year!
ARBOUR DAY
In celebration of Arbour Day, we planted two Yellowwood trees in the old picnic area next to the river. We plan to bring this area back to life so our guests can enjoy this idyllic setting under dappled shade.
HERITAGE DAY WEEKEND
We are looking forward to celebrating Heritage Day weekend with you in September, as our staff gear up for their annual traditional singing and dancing and our kitchen prepares for a South African-themed lunchtime braai and dinner feast. There is limited availability, so make your booking today
Meet the team
We are so privileged to have such a wonderful team who work together to provide our guests with the ultimate Drakensberg experience!
Say hello to our friendly and passionate Waitering Team. This hardworking team excels at providing our guests with excellent caring service and thrives on ensuring you are well looked after, whether it be during teatime, relaxing on the terrace or lawn, at the pool, or in the dining room enjoying our scrumptious buffets. Birthdays and special occasions are always celebrated in style, with the team singing and dancing their way through the dining room.
GUIDES RECEIVE FURTHER Insightful TRAINING
To grow our guides’ knowledge on the vast flora and fauna found in the Drakensberg area, we organised a two-day training course with expert conservationists, Mark and Shirley, from the Cathkin Valley. This insightful training, done both in the office and in the field, focused on flora and its uses, endangered wildlife, habitat preservation and the various ecosystems in our surrounding area. Don’t forget to join some of our complimentary daily guided hikes when you are here – you won’t regret it.
HELP US SAVE THE
WHITE RHINO
Hospitality flows in the blood of the van der Riet family. William’s sisters, Carol and Fenella, and brother-in-law, Nick Fox, are the owners of Sibuya Game Reserve near Kenton-on-Sea.
Recently they suffered a devastating loss with the senseless killing of two of their white rhino, Binky and Noelle. Both pregnant rhinos were brutally killed for their horns, leaving behind a community of devastated staff, rangers and supporters. Noelle’s little one, Mimi, had also been shot and wounded, and has been relocated to an orphanage where she will receive the best possible care and rehabilitation for her wounds.
It is at this very sad time that we appeal to our guests to support the Sibuya Rhino Foundation, which is a crucial part of their ongoing conservation efforts to protect the future of their rhinos.
EMBARK ON AN EPIC
ADVENTURE WITH OUR NEW GUIDED HIKE
TO A HIDDEN CAVE
EMBARK ON AN EPIC ADVENTURE WITH OUR NEW GUIDED HIKE TO A HIDDEN CAVE
We have recently introduced an exciting new complimentary guided hike to Barker’s Chalet Cave every Wednesday. Heading on the Cathedral Peak path, you are led to a huge overhang with a small waterfall overlooking a wonderful wooded gorge with a fresh stream below.
The cave itself is named after the famous mountaineer, Harry Barker, who was a member of the Mountain Club of South Africa for 74 years. Fondly remembered for his many self-composed songs, Harry was one of the best climbers from what was then the Transvaal, often summiting the mountains in the Cathedral and Cathkin Valleys.
THE CATHEDRAL PEAK HOTEL STORY CONTINUED
After the war, not only did the hotel start to flourish, but so did the van der Riet family. From his first marriage, Albert had two daughters, Helga and Irene. Albert later married Doreen, and together they had three daughters, Sandra, Carol and Fenella, and a son named William. Sadly, Sandra passed away not long after her 21st birthday. Carol and Fenella reside near Kenton-on-Sea, while William followed in his father’s footsteps, taking over the hotel in the 1980s. Albert’s brother Reimer and his wife Sonia also got involved in the business, with their three children, Philip, Hugh and Catherine, growing up at the hotel. Hugh ran the trout farm for many years, before moving to the Cape to farm olives.
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