Google renders 710 000 search results for the word “Drakensberg”, but is the Drakensberg truly on the web?
If you’re looking for sample pictures of the Berg, some accommodation and holiday options, or Wikipedia-style facts and figures, then it’s all there. But beyond that, for fans of the Berg, keen hikers, mountaineers and nature lovers, the relevance of these search results drops off sharply.
In the light of that, it is hoped that this site hosts a vibrant community of people that love the Berg. It is hoped that the information stored here is of a high quality. It is also hoped that the variety of tools and avenues of expression available here go a long way to facilitate a collaborative effort by the community.
But there is something more. It goes beyond just trading pictures, information and experiences. The Berg must be on the web so that there is a voice to speak out for it, to represent and protect it. It is to this end that I say: let the Berg be on the web! Not just for information, as some sort of commodity.
Let the Berg be on the web to promote a wider appreciation of its beauty and value.
Let the Berg be on the web for increased knowledge and support for the environmental challenges it faces.
Let the Berg be on the web for a better awareness of issues relating to both safety and security.
