MEAT PIES, MOERKOFFIE AND MAFIOSI

Meat pies, Moerkoffie and Mafiosi:

The Transgariep, unspoiled, sparsely populated and still very much unpolluted, is a vast expanse of semi-desert wilderness, situated in the southern tip of the Free State. Here you can expect to find little more than sparse vegetation of coarse grass, stunted shrubs and karoobossies. Or so you may think. Jagersfontein, situated on the R706 and about 100 kilometres from Bloemfontein, is the home of the Blue White Diamond. Initially a small mining village, Jagersfontein was founded after the first diamond was discovered there in 1870, almost three years before diamonds were found in Kimberley. This makes Jagersfontein the oldest diamond mine in the world. But that’s not all. This mine is also the world’s largest hole made by human hands. More diamonds have been mined in Jagersfontein than in Kimberley, and diamond-mining continues there to this day. The mine has seen more than 9 625 000 carats of diamonds, most of them jewel quality. In fact, 10 of the world’s biggest diamonds were found in Jagersfontein. In 1893, the Excelsior diamond of exceptional clarity and quality was unearthed, weighing in at 972 carats. Its current estimated value is R1.2 billion. Two years later, another diamond of 640 carats was found, known as the Jubilee. Around the world, diamonds from this mine are fondly referred to as ‘Jagger diamonds’. On one chilly spring morning last year, I was passing through Jagersfontein and discovered a coffee shop owned and managed by two previous inhabitants of Gauteng. After ordering a cup of strong moerkoffie, Tant Tienie successfully convinced me to try one of her famous pepper steak pies, despite distinct dislike for this type of culinary delight. And it was only 08h10. Many of you will agree that pies have a tendency to cause havoc with the digestive system. I believe pies were invented by whoever manufactures Enos, with the express purpose of keeping their turnover intact and making shareholders happy. As with the majority of platteland folk, it was easy to start up a conversation with Tant Tienie a total stranger as if I had known her for years. Tant Tienie proved to be another jewel from this diamond mining community. Some time later, after copious amounts of moerkoffie and conversation, I bid farewell to her. Continuing to my next destination, I pondered about many of the facts that Tant Tienie had shared with me about Jagersfontein. My curiosity was piqued by many of her stories, and what really interested me was the fact that during their time, Elizabeth Taylor and Al Capone each owned one of the top-quality Blue White Jagger diamonds from this mine. But most intriguing of all, I didn’t need any Enos.