Wild Horses Exclusive Mountain Lodge, in the Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve in the Free State, is to introduce a yacht, Golden City, to Sterkfontein Dam.

Golden City was bought in early July by Jon Hawkins, Owner of Wild Horses Exclusive Mountain Lodge, who has started the restoration process, with the aim of bringing her back to her former glory.

The yacht is set to sail early next year, as Hawkins says they are sourcing original parts for yacht.

The intimate yacht can accommodate two passengers at a time. “A stay on this beautiful yacht will soon, we hope, be a bucket-list wish for all guests,” adds Brenda Munro, Sales and Marketing Director of The Fine Collection, which represents a selection of hotels and lodges, including Wild Horses Exclusive Mountain Lodge.

The yacht will boast comfortable areas to relax during the day, a double bed, and bathroom fitted with a shower.

The yacht will anchor far enough from the lodge for guests to enjoy complete privacy, yet close enough that the yacht can be serviced and meals served on board if required. Alternatively, guests can also choose to enjoy the cuisine served at Wild Horses Exclusive Mountain Lodge restaurant.

Attractions and activities for guests on the Golden City or staying at the lodge include the Northern Drakensberg Mountains, a Unesco World Heritage Site; horse riding; scenic drives; mountain biking; spa treatments; fly fishing; hiking and the wildlife in the nature reserve.

Hawkins told Tourism Update that the yacht was brought into the country by a consortium of members of the East Rand Yacht Club back in 1971 – a club that Hawkins enjoyed sailing from for many years as a young boy in Boksburg– and raced to Rio the same year.

In 1973 and 1976, Hawkins and his brother were part of a crew who raced to Rio. “During my racing career as a yachtsman, I would occasionally catch sight of her (the Golden City) at various events and it gave me great pleasure to revive the wonderful memories of the adventures of racing her across the Atlantic,” commented Hawkins. “It was a mixture of excitement and great sadness when I found her on the hard in a back corner of the Point Yacht Club boatyard. She was in shocking condition and had been neglected for over 10 years.” 

Hawkins managed to contact the owner who was living in Australia, and who had spent many years sailing the Golden City with his wife. After brokering the deal, Hawkins believes the previous owner was relieved that he was prepared to undertake such a project. “I am sure that we share a very similar emotional attachment to this boat,” added Hawkins.

“It has given me great pleasure to begin the restoration, and to bring this iconic yacht back to her former glory. I am sure that most yachtsmen of my era, and possibly others will be very interested in this project, as we all share a common love of beautiful boats, as well as the preservation of some of our country’s sailing history,” he said.

Hawkins is in the process of tracing her history post-1976, and has contacted various yachtsmen for feedback. Once this becomes available, Hawkins will add it to the story.

Wild Horses Exclusive Mountain Lodge features sandstone villas that face the expanse of the Platberg Mountains and Sterkfontein Dam, where the yacht will be anchored. Accommodation comprises four rooms – the Guinea Fowl Suite, Sunset Suite, Sunrise Suite, and the Zebra Suite. All rooms are en-suite and feature a terrace, fireplace, lounge seating, an electronic safe, satellite television, electronic safe, mini bar, and air-conditioning.