As part of the Barrydale365 early morning swimming club, I’ve had the privilege of taking out hundreds of tourists to the Tradouw Pass for an unforgettable experience.
During these trips, I’m often asked a few questions about Barrydale, its people, and why I chose to live here.
Over the years, I’ve created a script that includes classic phrases like “Barrydale is a drinking town with a farming problem” (with credit to Johan Jordaan).
I explain how a few messages to local estate agent Ruth Goodman resulted in a “groot trek” of sorts and that my impulsive decision to leave the smoke of Gauteng in my rearview mirror was perhaps one of the best things I’ve done in my life.
As for the people who live here, there is this beauty that in a small town, you never need to wonder what is really going on in your life — and if you do, just ask any of the known “whispers” in the village — they’ll tell you.
Another standard comment as we return from an icy dip goes something like this: “In Barrydale, I’m far more afraid of the women than any of the men. We have at least four qualified witches who will not hesitate to cast a spell on you if you misbehave.
There are a host of spiritual leader ladies and then there are a few Afrikaans dames who will klap you if you dare tell anyone just how much they do for the community.”
This column is about the last mentioned.
Pharo to the fore
This is the part where my “pen” started to tremble in my hand. I know all too well that Louise Pharo is not a fan of the spotlight.
Like some of the other strong businesswomen in Barrydale, she prefers to get on with business while avoiding the spotlight with the same grit and determination she puts into the projects she is involved in.
So sorry, Louise, but I’m not really sorry.
With a calm heart, I can say that if there’s one person who knows how to get things done in this village, it’s Louise Pharo.
Having achieved greater heights in the corporate world than most men do, Louise has implemented the same level of determination to make Barrydale a better place for all.
My first introduction to this was a Soup Kitchen she ran during covid and more recently her focus has shifted to the plight of the children.
Example: A few years ago, businesses on Route 62 in particular were hassled by a group of kids that hassled every tourist that entered town.
Louise started a campaign to address the begging issue. Signs were erected, awareness was created, and while she at first treated a symptom, she would go on to address the cause as well.
She knew that something drastic had to be done to ensure that Barrydale remains the beautiful tourist destination it is today. The street child issue was also one of the main factors in the rising number of burglaries.
Roll on a year or so and Bright Haven was born. This organisation’s main objective is to intervene in the lives of children in the community that have slipped through the cracks.
At Bright Haven, which now has its own dedicated classroom for neurodiverse children at BF Oosthuizen Primary School, children are given a sense of identity and purpose.
This is where another incredible Barrydale woman, Elizabeth Beer, was roped in to educate and assist.
Read more about Elizabeth Beer in the link below:
From Bright Haven to a Market at Moreson and Beyond
It is easy to forget that Louise is also the driving force behind the Let’s Clean Barrydale initiative.
And without letting the cat out of the bag just yet, I can confirm that through her endeavours, Barrydale has been linked to Swellendam’s Child Protection Unit and that this was perhaps one of the most significant turning points for the well-being of the village in recent years.
But wait, there’s obviously more.
Despite having just recovered from serious surgery, Louise has stepped in to ensure that the all-new Market @ Moreson will become the place where locals get to catch up and shop in a beautiful environment every single week.
While this was the brainchild of Reuben Hart, he would be the first to admit that Louise is the one who keeps all the strings together.
At this market, you will not only find delicious food, arts and crafts, live music and — most importantly — the colourful locals who have the privilege of calling this slice of paradise home.
Louise, all of us here at News62 (this includes Johan, Luzanne, Nadia, Tiaan, Melissa and Augustine) salute you for the dedication with which you selflessly serve this community.
No politics, no red tape, just a woman who knows how to get things done.
Market @ Moreson through the lens of Graham Abbott
