Mac Mac Adventure Zone

The South African Gold panning Association was established in 1997 and became the 20th member of the World Gold panning Association. The Mac Mac digger's camp later became a forestry station called the Mac Mac Forestry Station. Eventually the forestry station was converted to a resort called Mac Mac Forest Retreat. During August 2006 the Mac Mac Gold panning Club was established at Mac Mac Forest Retreat. The Club is affiliated to the South African Gold panning Association. A few times a year Mac Mac Forest Retreat hosts the Mac Mac Gold panning Club competitions. During these competitions the Club attract 30 to 60 enthusiastic competitors. During these competitions, competitors get a 20kg bucket of sand, with gold nuggets in. These nuggets needs to be panned out in the quickest possible time.

MORE INFO ON GOLD PANNING

In the 1840's the world was gripped with gold fever. Large quantities of gold were found in California. Many gold prospectors from all over the world travelled to California in search for their jackpot.

These early successes stimulated the search for gold in other countries. Countries like Australia also attracted large amounts of prospectors.

In the late 1860's and early 1870's some prospectors searched for gold in the Mpumalanga area of South Africa.

Small amounts of gold were found in the Spekboom river area outside Lydenburg, Spitskop, Bakenkop and Hendriksdal areas in Mpumalanga.

The first payable gold in South Africa was found on the farm Geelhoutboom farm (between Sabie and Pilgrims Rest). The word spread and more and more prospectors arrived to try their luck. These numbers grew to a few hundred of prospectors.

These prospectors explored the surrounding areas and the Mac Mac river. The Mac Mac Falls for instance used to be one stream on water. The prospectors thought there was gold at the top of the falls and used dynamite to break the rock down. That is why the Mac Mac Falls have 2 streams today.

The Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek at that time was desperately looking for ways to improve the financial situation of the Republiek. So when the word about the payable gold reached them, they decided to investigate.

During 1873 President Burgers from the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek visited the digger's camp at Geelhoutboom farm.

He was very surprised with especially the amount of Scottish diggers with surnames like McDonald, McFie, MacLachlan, etc. He decided to call the digger's camp Mac Mac.

The first gold commissioner in South Africa, Major McDonald, was also stationed at Mac Mac (next to where Mac Mac Forest Retreat is situated today).

He declared the area the New Caledonia Gold Fields.

At Mac Mac there was a digger called Wheelbarrow Paterson. According to some, he was a man that preferred to be alone. When too many diggers gathered at Mac Mac, Wheelbarrow Paterson decided to go and explore other areas. Apparently he followed a game trail and reached a valley that later became known as the Valley of the Pilgrim. In the Valley of the Pilgrim he searched and found large quantities of gold. He

tried to keep it quiet for as long as possible. But eventually he needed provisions and return to the Mac Mac digger's camp to exchange the gold he found for provisions.

The word of his rich gold findings got out and other individuals followed. This caused the first major gold rush in South Africa. With time the town of Pilgrims Rest was established.

Today the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates still process gold outside Pilgrims Rest. Many of the older mines are being reopened and prosper.

Today people are still very intrigued with the gold history and gold fever.

The South African Gold panning Association was established in 1997 and became the 20th member of the World Gold panning Association.

The Mac Mac digger's camp later became a forestry station called the Mac Mac Forestry Station.

Eventually the forestry station was converted to a resort called Mac Mac Forest Retreat.

During August 2006 the Mac Mac Gold panning Club was established at Mac Mac Forest Retreat. The Club is affiliated to the South African Gold panning Association.

A few times a year Mac Mac Forest Retreat hosts the Mac Mac Gold panning Club competitions.

During these competitions the Club attract 30 to 60 enthusiastic competitors.

During these competitions, competitors get a 20kg bucket of sand, with gold nuggets in. These nuggets needs to be panned out in the quickest possible time.

According to the South African law, gold prospecting is illegal without a valid permit. So for every competition, the Club organise the gold from the South African Gold panning Association. Permission is also needed from the Department of Energy Affairs and the South African Police.

The World Gold panning Association's competition rules are adhered to.

The Club's competitions are very social events. During the events food and drinks are served. Afterwards there is a prize giving, braai (barbeque) and social.

The businesses in the surrounding towns sponsor the prices.

Besides the competitions, Mac Mac also offers gold panning as one of the activities to tourists. We then discuss the history of gold in the area and give people a panning demonstration. People are then given opportunity to pan themselves. Children often enjoy this activity with much enthusiasm.

Further do Mac Mac incorporate the gold panning history on our 4x4 trips. On the trips people also get opportunity to pan the traditional way. Often it is difficult to get the people away from the panning. Gold fever still exists.

Besides the Club competitions, there is a National Gold panning Championships in Pilgrims Rest every year.

Every year there is also a World Gold panning Championships.

WHERE: Pilgrims Rest, Mpumalanga, South Africa