Our logo and a legacy

By Maeder Osler

As recorded elsewhere on this site, Toverview has grown out of Toverberg Indaba, an independent community newspaper for Colesberg and surrounds published by myself from 1990 to 1997, and partly funded by a Canadian NGO as well as the Independent Media Diversity Trust. (See the archive elsewhere on this website.)

Besides my close friend Jasper Cook and his sister Colleen, among those who helped to produce Toverberg Indaba were Peter and Annetta Westoby, a remarkable couple who retired to Colesberg after successful careers elsewhere, among others in Johannesburg and West Africa.

Peter was a former advertising executive, and a highly skilled graphic designer, photographer, and reproduction specialist. Annetta was a textile designer and artist, and a skilled craftsperson.

Their house in Colesberg – a historic cottage in the old town centre — was a treasure trove of art, photographs, textiles, and specialised photographic and reproduction equipment. This included printing and other equipment used to publish the Colesberg Advertiser, one of the earliest newspapers in South Africa, which began publishing in the mid-19th century. They also spent a lot of time restoring and reclaiming historical photographs and other memorabilia. Added to this, they designed the distinctive sign at the entrance to the town.

As also detailed elsewhere, Toverberg Indaba’s production was managed by Peter, from origination to print. It was first printed in Philippolis, and then in Kroonstad. When, following the transition to democracy, the Independent Media Diversity Trust withdrew its support, we were forced to cease publication.

Peter and Annetta then suggested that we could continue with a more cost-effective product, essentially a photostatted newsletter, and proposed a new name – TOVERVIEW – with a logo to match. The newsletter never really got under way, but the name and logo live on in this website.

As is reasonably obvious, Toverberg Indaba was named after Toverberg, the prominent hill near the town. (In fact, Colesberg itself was initially called Toverberg, before being renamed after Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, governor of the Cape Colony.)

The name ‘TOVERVIEW’, dreamt up by Peter and Annetta, is a bit more complex, and very evocative. In fact, it incorporates something of a double meaning. ‘Tover’ is the Dutch word for magic or enchantment. So Toverview can either mean ‘view of / over the Toverberg’, or ‘Magic View’, of / over the town of Colesberg and / or the world in general. The artwork is also also special, reminiscent – among other things – of a sundial, and therefore the passage of time.

Peter and Annetta Westoby’s gravesite in the Colesberg cemetery. Image: Antony Osler.

Peter passed away a few years ago, and Annetta shortly thereafter — just before Toverview was launched. They are buried in the local municipal cemetery. They were also close to my brother, Antony Osler. He designed the gravestone, and built it with the help of Poplar Grove Farm staff. Asked for details, Antony sent us a photograph, and commented as follows:

‘The design echoes the Westoby-designed sign at the entrance to the town. At the time of the burial, this was on the edge of the cemetery, but now they have company on either side. No name on it; Annetta once talked about liking this idea. We clear it from time to time, and put flowers on it. As you can see, there are cows grazing in the background — I think they would like that.’

Besides their lasting contributions to Colesberg, the Westobys also live on in the name of our website, the latest in a series of publications attempting to provide a fresh and independent perspective on Colesberg, other rural areas, and — increasingly — South Africa at large. We are proud to acknowledge this legacy.