As most of our visitors at the Irene Dairy Farm already know the collections from our Fountain of life are donated to the Tshwane SPCA.

For the month of August an astounding total of R2922.40 was collected and donated to this cause.

Help us BEAT this amount this month by coming and making your wish!

We hope all your wishes come true.

African Pride- Irene Country Lodge offers Luxury accommodation in the heart of Gauteng; South Africa’s Economic Capital, in the historical village of Irene, Centurion. This luxury upmarket hotel now boasts with 75 spacious bedrooms and conference facilities that have recently undergone a phenomenal refurbishment.

The newly renovated hotel rooms are elegantly designed each with its own balcony or patio with breath-taking views overlooking the lake. The design is modern contemporary, offering the charm and warmth of a countryside manor, but reflecting a unique South African flavour.

The hotel rooms all in excess of sixty square meters situated on 60 hectares of open land.

All rooms boast magnificent views of either the forest or the bird sanctuary home to some 140 bird species. The room configuration consists of 10 Luxury King Rooms opening onto a patio with a stunning view of the lush, green meadow. The 47 Deluxe King Rooms are elegantly designed all with a balcony or patio with a breath-taking view overlooking the lake. The hotel boasts 14 Superior King Rooms hidden away in our amazing natural Camdeboo Forest. The loft superior rooms are double volume designed to delight the senses.

African Pride Irene Country Lodge also offers superb conference facilities set in this calm and relaxed countryside in Centurion. The conference facilities can facilitate events from 2 to 140 delegates.

A new addition to the conference venues is the newly designed and renovated Boardroom en Suite. This combines luxury accommodation with executive boardroom facilities seating a maximum of 12 GUESTS. This multifunctional boardroom suite can be used either for executive meetings or as an executive suite boardroom catering to the high end traveler or head of state requirement to meet in the convenience and safety of the executive suite.

The hotel’s experienced team delivers a highly professional and seamless service. The hotel also has a fine dining restaurant, function and wedding venues, and also boasts the Award Winning Camdeboo Day Spa as well as the infamous historic operational Irene Dairy Farm right across the road.

Irene is a suburb of Centurion; but has become a business and leisure destination.

The hotel is conveniently situated between Midrand and Pretoria. Making the travel to the Union Buildings in Pretoria a mere 15 min drive away and the travelling to Sandton in Johannesburg a 20 min drive.

Centurion Gautrain station is situated at the Centurion Shopping Centre only a 5 min drive away.

The hotel offers transfers to the station as well as to the surrounding facilities of Southdown’s shopping centre and Centurion mall.

Book your spot for only R150 pp to take part in the Beat Winter Skin Workshop exclusively at Camdeboo Day Spa. Including a luxuriously warm beverage, an informative BABOR talk as well as a mini BABOR facial including a dry skin changing mask treatment.

ENTER THE LUCKY DRAW and you could also stand a chance to WIN an additional BABOR Product with your purchase of any BABOR product on the day.

Valid 26 August only.

Book Now – Email Spareservations@IreneCountryLodge.co.za or call on 012 667 6464

As an effort to help better the community that we live, some happy volunteers from Destination Irene joined hands and assisted the Potato Foundation with their “Spread the Soup” project.

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Just wanted to say a BIG thank you very much to everyone who contributed to our “Paying it Forward” effort it was a great day and the kids really enjoyed it!!

To all those in the area who are willing and able to donate.

Please help us save lives.

DON’T LET LIFE GET IN THE WAY OF LIFE.

Blood Drive: Irene Estate

Date:              Thursday, July 17, 2014

Venue:           Tent in Parking Area at the Irene Dairy Farm

Time:              13:00 to 16:00

“Phomolong” is the Irene Dairy Farm workers accommodation village, each staff member that exceeds a certain number of years working on the farm, gets the privilege to live in one of these 3 bedroom houses in the staff village.

Each year the owners of the farm run a little competition to where the gardens of the houses gets judged. Here is a show of the beautiful Gardens that were on show this year 🙂

Wow these are really beautiful!!!

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The Irene Dairy Farm is proud to host the South African National Blood Service on Thursday 13 March 2014 between 10:00 and 13:00.

Join the Irene Estate blood drive and show that you care.

Blood Drive:    Irene Estate

Date:                  Thursday, March 13, 2014

Venue:              Irene Dairy Farm, Tent in Parking Area

Time:                 10:00 to 13:00

Every month the coins from the Fountain of Life are collected and donated to the SPCA.

For the month of January an amount of R923.00 was collected and donated. We hope all who made a wish has their wishes come true.

To all who have taken photos at the Irene Farm – I am sure you all know we ask for a donation towards the Irene Homes.

For the Month of January an amount of R11 350.00.

To all for your generous support we would like to say thank you.

To all of you who have been missing out on “The Stall” night market at Southdowns, here are the dates for the next few months for you to diarise!

27 February,

27 March,

24 April,

29 May, and

26 June.

Be sure not to miss out 🙂

And to anyone interested in exhibiting you are welcome to contact Stalls organiser, Gareth Christie on 072 155 3924

Southdowns Shopping Centre excited to announce the Christmas Edition of The Stalls.

The Stall is a niche food and wine night market. For our Christmas market you can enjoy live entertainment by Hendrik Marxand.

Do your Christmas shopping in a vibrant atmosphere and great location for food lovers of all ages, providing a unique market experience.

We are looking forward to seeing you all there 🙂

Spring Carnival Market:

25 October 2013         15:30 – 20:30

26 October 2013         09:00 – 15:00

Free Entrance

AMUSEMENT RIDES
The ever popular amusement rides similar to Gold Reef City rides right here in your back yard and this year they have an even bigger variety with their latest addition of the “Dragon Roller Coaster”. So save that pocket money! Parents this is certainly a way to keep the little ones occupied for hours. Click here to read more…

Raffle & Tombola

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
We have two fun filled days planned from a clown show, as well as clowns on stilts doing some juggling and balloon sculpting and a live band filling the air with amazing sounds. Fashion Show, Karate Demonstration and the well-known EMC dancers, will keep the adults entertained all day.

Awesome Prizes to be won

FOOD STALLS
Feeling peckish, as well as all the wonderful sweets and treats, we have a wide variety of food stalls that include pancakes, donuts, burgers, hot dogs, etc… there’s sure to be something for everyone. If you are interested in becoming a vendor,  click here for application forms

FLEA MARKET
A variety of stalls available to ensure you roam around for hours, finding that perfect gift for someone special, including hand bags, art work, toys and many more. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, click here for application forms

MOONLIGHT FUN RUN

25 October

Irene Primary is proud to present and back by popular demand the MOONLIGHT FUN RUN, Through the beautiful village of Irene, join us for a lovely early evening run on 25 October 2013 you have plenty of time to get fit!
Race 1: 3 KM starts at 17:30             R 30 p.p.
Race 2: 8 KM starts at 18:00             R 40 p.p.
Click here for entry forms

Click here for the route map

For more information please contact us on:
Irene Primary School, Bruce Rd, Irene, Gauteng
Tel:      012 667 1037
Email:  pta@ireneprimary.co.za
Web: www.ireneprimary.co.za
Follow us on www.facebook.com/IreneSpringCarnival

Spring Carnival Market:

25 October 2013         15:30 – 20:30

26 October 2013         09:00 – 15:00

Free Entrance

AMUSEMENT RIDES
The ever popular amusement rides similar to Gold Reef City rides right here in your back yard and this year they have an even bigger variety with their latest addition of the “Dragon Roller Coaster”. So save that pocket money! Parents this is certainly a way to keep the little ones occupied for hours. Click here to read more…

Raffle & Tombola

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
We have two fun filled days planned from a clown show, as well as clowns on stilts doing some juggling and balloon sculpting and a live band filling the air with amazing sounds. Fashion Show, Karate Demonstration and the well-known EMC dancers, will keep the adults entertained all day.

Awesome Prizes to be won

FOOD STALLS
Feeling peckish, as well as all the wonderful sweets and treats, we have a wide variety of food stalls that include pancakes, donuts, burgers, hot dogs, etc… there’s sure to be something for everyone. If you are interested in becoming a vendor,  click here for application forms

FLEA MARKET
A variety of stalls available to ensure you roam around for hours, finding that perfect gift for someone special, including hand bags, art work, toys and many more. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, click here for application forms

MOONLIGHT FUN RUN

25 October

Irene Primary is proud to present and back by popular demand the MOONLIGHT FUN RUN, Through the beautiful village of Irene, join us for a lovely early evening run on 25 October 2013 you have plenty of time to get fit!
Race 1: 3 KM starts at 17:30             R 30 p.p.
Race 2: 8 KM starts at 18:00             R 40 p.p.
Click here for entry forms

Click here for the route map

For more information please contact us on:
Irene Primary School, Bruce Rd, Irene, Gauteng
Tel:      012 667 1037
Email:  pta@ireneprimary.co.za
Web: www.ireneprimary.co.za
Follow us on www.facebook.com/IreneSpringCarnival

Saturday 7 September 2013

Irene Country Club 

9:00 – 17:00

We would love to bring your family to come taste some of the delicious potjies being prepared by our participants.

Additional:
• Flea market
• Kiddies play area
• Tickets for sale : R30 for 1 Meal (tasting of 1 x potjie), R50 for 2, R70 for 3. (pap and rice supplied by ICC)
• Live music
• Beer garden
• Prizes up for grabs for the best tasting, the most original stand, etc.

Irene Primary Fun Run/Walk
Irene Primary School will be having a Fun Run/Walk on the 8th of September 2012.

Registration for the 3km and 8km races can be done by printing the registration form and emailing it to pta@ireneprimary.co.za or dropped off at the school office on or before 5th of September 2012.

Entry Fees:
3km: R30
8km: R40

Race Rules:

1. All runners participate at their own risk and indemnify the organizers and sponsors of any liability claims by entering.
2. Marshalls and traffic officials must be obeyed at all times.
3. No seconding is permitted.
4. There’s no age restriction on this race.
5. Race starting times:
3 km 7:30am
8 km 8:00am
6. Race-day entries will take place at Irene Primary School from 6:30am until 5 minutes before the race.
7. Prize-giving will take place at 09:00 at Irene Primary School.

For more information please contact 012 667 1037/8 or email pta@ireneprimary.co.za

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Later in the month there is also the Clover Irene Spring Race hosted by Irene Road Running Club:

Clover Irene Spring Race

Irene Village Mall in conjunction with Clover and the Irene Road Running Club will be hosting the Clover Irene Spring Race on 22 September 2012.

Registration for the 5km, 10km and 21km races can take place online at www.irenerunner.co.za or www.enteronline.co.za.
You are also welcome to register at the following shops:
Sweat Shop Dunkeld 011 325 2567
Sweat Shop Fourways 011 467 5966
Sweat Shop Southdowns 012 665 0048
Run-A-Way Sport 012 361 3733
Bedford Runner 011 450 1847
Running Inn Pretoria 012 362 7322
Running In Kensington 011 615 0878
Centre Management Irene Village Mall 012 662 4446

Entry Fees:
5km: R30
10km: R40
21km: R50
GM: R30
GGM: Free
Temporary license: R30

Race Rules:
1. All runners participate at their own risk and indemnify the organizers and sponsors of any liability claims by entering.
2. All participants must wear a valid race number on the front and a valid 2012 license number on the back. Non-registered athletes have to purchase a temporary license. No license is required for the 5km race.
3. The race will take place under the rules of ASA, AGN and IAAF and all participants must wear club colors during the race, except if participating with a temporary license.
4. Marshalls and traffic officials must be obeyed at all times.
5. No seconding is permitted.
6. Minimum age of 15 on race day for the 10km and 16 years for the 21km.
7. Category winners must provide proof of age to qualify for prizes (ID or valid documentation).
8. There’s no age restriction for the 5km.
9. Athletes competing for category prizes must wear official age category Id (front and back of vest).
10. Foreign athletes must observe IAAF rule 4, paragraph 2.
11. Race starting times:
21 km 6:00am
10km 6:00am
5km 6:05am
12. Race-day entries will take place at Irene Village Mall from 4:30am until 5 minutes before the race.
13. Prize-giving will take place at 8:00am – 10km, 9:00 – 21km.
For more information please contact 012 654 0005 / 082 937 0733 / 083 284 4884

Irene Lifts the “River Runs Through It” Cup

By Emile on Tue : 24 July, 2012

Irene Village Mall – Newsletter.

WITH LOVE There are only two days left to vote for your favourite love letter in our With Love competition on Facebook. The one with the most votes will win a romantic night for two at the Royal Elephant Hotel & Conference Centre, and a random lucky voter will win a R500 Gift Card just for voting! Go vote for your favourite by clicking on the “Be a Fan” Facebook link above.

CANSA SHAVATHON The Annual National CANSA Shavathon has become an event to diarize for a great many South Africans. Family and friends of cancer survivors, as well as many brave individuals still battling the disease, make a point of migrating to their favourite shopping centre to participate. Irene Village Mall is one of the favourite “shave or spray” destinations, raising the third highest amount of Pretoria malls in 2011. The 2012 CANSA Shavathon at Irene Village Mall will be organized in conjunction with the Targetlife Gap-year programme from the Living Word Church in Centurion, bringing an enthusiastic and lively bunch of young people as volunteers. The stylists from Carlton Hair Express will ensure that all those brave enough to shave it all off get a professional haircut! Spot prizes aplenty will be handed out by our MC, Marinus Hayes, on the day. The CANSA Shavathon will be hosted in the Woolworths court at Irene Village Mall on 3 March 2012 from 09:00 – 15:00. Keep your eyes peeled for a few celebrity surprises!

SA DACHSHUND CLUB FUN DAY Irene Village Mall will be hosting the annual South African Dachshund Club Rescue Fun day on 10 March in the parking lot next to Spur from 09:00. Anyone and everyone will be allowed to enter their Dachshund (Worshond) into the competition for only R30. The categories for entries include best tricks, fancy dress, happiest Daxie and many more. Celebrity judge Bailey Schneider from 94.7 will be giving away the prizes. An on-call vet and educator will be on site to answer any question you may have regarding your Dachshund. If you’re looking to adopt a dog please don’t miss this event. Come and enjoy a doggie day out! For more information on the Dachshund Club contact Karen on 082 798 9104 or Charmaine on 082 925 7609.

WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE! We’d like to extend a warm welcome to our wonderfully unique new tenants. In the corner across from Ackermans we have Rock my Baby (Shop 143), exclusive “alternative” baby and pet outfitters. Pop in for a baby shower gift guaranteed to be different from all the others! Artjamming, the home of paintertainment, will be opening their doors mid-March next to Engenius Toys (Shop 154). We can’t wait! Go to www.artjamming.co.za for more information.

WILD HAWK SPUR SPECIAL Wild Hawk Spur has partnered with the popular cinema at Irene Village Mall for an offer that’s hard to resist! Simply present your Ster Kinekor Irene Village Mall movie ticket at Wild Hawk Spur on a Tuesday or Thursday, and you’ll be treated to a starter or dessert of your choice. Wild Hawk Spur is located at the Woolworths entrance and can be contacted on 012 662 4050 or wildhawk@telkomsa.net. Web site: http://www.irenevillagemall.co.za

Irene Concentration Camp and Garden of Remembrance.

Overview of the Irene Concentration Camp

Opened on 2 November 1900, the Irene Concentration Camp was built with the intention that it would be one of the camps that would house Boer woman and children, driven from their land by the British “scorched earth” policy. This policy dictated the destruction of the farms and lands of Boer soldiers.

The conditions in the camp, located on the chilly southern side of the town, were extremely primitive. Life was exceptionally hard, and very little notice were taken by the authorities of the deaths that their lack of interest in the inmates caused.

The population increased rapidly in these poor conditions. In April 1901, it was recorded that the Irene Concentration Camp accommodated approximately 3 703 inmates, of which 317 were sick and 49 had perished. By the end of 1901 more than 800 people had died.

The Irene Concentration camp received much more attention than any other concentration camp, for a number of reasons. Located so close to Pretoria, it was under the eye of senior camp authorities. A group of Boer women from Pretoria who started a nursing corps in April 1901, gave the Irene Concentration camp additional notoriety.

The Irene Concentration Camp later extended, creating a second camp, known as Nylstroom. By the end of 1902 more than 5 400 people were held captive in the two camps. Although peace was declared in May 1902, the Irene Concentration Camp was allegedly closed during 1903, since no reports for the camp appears after 1903.

Today, the Irene Concentration Camp is a national heritage site, under the protection of the SA Heritage Resource Agency. The cemetery has more than 2 000 people buried there, although the cemetery’s name list only lists 1 149 people.

During excavations, a name plate with the number 2156 was found. However, only 850 heaps of soil, indicating graves, were uncovered. The original gravestones, generally hand-engraved on slate, were removed and placed under cover to prevent further weather damage. Later, the graves were formalized with stone plaques engraved with the names of people who had died during their horrible time in the Irene Concentration Camp.

You can read more on the history of the Irene Concentration camp here.

Review of the Irene Concentration Camp

In all honesty, I did not even want to write this review. This was one of the saddest places I have visited in a long time. And to find memorial plates with my family surname printed on it was even sadder, having to think what conditions these people had to endure.

Printed on paper slips in the windows of the entrance building, are the reasons why some of the people died.

Diseases that normally would have been under control, reigned in terror. So many unnecessary deaths. I am extremely thankful for not having to live in those times.

View photographs of all the headstones in the Irene Concentration Camp