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| Commercial ostrich farming started during the
late 1880's in South Africa, this was also the start of the
ostrich industry worldwide. The fashion demand in Europe for
ostrich feathers inspired the growth of the industry, with
the Oudtshoorn district quickly being established as the Ostrich
capital of the world. During the first decade of the previous
century, ostrich feathers gained record prices on foreign
markets, ranking 4th on the list of South African exports,
after gold, diamonds and wool. The consequence of this newly
found opulence meant that ostrich farmers were able to build
beautiful sandstone mansions. A unique feature, of the Safari
experience is a visit to the Ostrich Palace "Welgeluk"
which was built at the height of the feather boom in 1910.
The homestead is a National Monument and a superb example
of the type of architecture that was used at the time. Safari
Ostrich Show Farm, was established more than 40 years ago
by two 4th generation ostrich farmers - Derek Fisch and the
late Harry Lipschitz. |
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