A Visit To The World’s Largest Fruit Building, South Africa

Every September, Tourism Month takes place in South Africa, focusing on the importance of local tourism and the creation of a culture of traveling among South Africans.

According to South African statistics, local visitors accounted for more than half of total tourism spending from 2013 to 2019, while international visitors contributed millions of dollars to the economy.

Other statistics for 2019 also show that the tourism sector in South Africa has declined by 3%. And that worries the South African local economy for various reasons.

Despite these, one cannot separate it from the wonders of South African tourism, because Bathurst Pineapple Building is one of the best tourist resorts in South Africa, which attracts not only income but also many people. As one of the largest pineapple growing areas in South Africa, authorities have built this large pineapple building with fiberglass and metal construction to illustrate what is being done here. This attraction is 16.7 meters high and has 60 seats.

This structure is located on the East Cape of South Africa, about 12 kilometers from Port Alfred, outside Bathurst, South Africa, and has attracted many people from all over the world. There is pineapple farming, game reserves, cattle and sheep farming in the area. It is a 10-minute drive from Port Alfred Beach and 45 minutes from the Mecca of Grahamstown culture. However, there are more and more artists, scientists, and even retirees who have chosen to live in this peaceful environment. Only 40 km from here is a university called Rhodes.

History

Briefly in 1865, a man named Charles Purdon entered a barber shop in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape of South Africa when he took some pineapple which had come from natal. The barber gave him a piece of the pineapple crown and Purdon watched it closely with another "eye." He instantly thought of an idea. This was the beginning of the largest pineapple industry today in South Africa and the Eastern Cape.

Before I went up the building, I stayed down there for almost a minute without any gesticulations. Not because I was afraid of the hike before me, but because I was only surprised by the creativity and beauteous of the Bathurst's pineapple. Well, I finally made it to the top of this classic point of view. From above you can clearly see the environment of agricultural ponds, which consist of pineapple products.

The whole untouched land was not really intended for planting, so the early farmers who settled in the village in the 18th century really went through horrible times planting crops until they started planting pineapple in 1865. After a while, they realized that the Pineapple plantation was useful for their lives, in addition to the money they make.

So the people joined arms to erect this giant building as a tribute to the pineapple and to themselves. Indeed, residents of Bathurst never thought of tourism during the construction of this structure, until after many years when visitors began to visit it.

The Big Pineapple, as it is called, was designed by members of the Bathurst Farming Community in the 1980s. This three-story building has a museum dedicated to fruit from various pineapple products offered for sale.

Yes, that is the job of the Australian version of Big Pineapple's duplicate, but it is exactly two feet taller than Australia's own and thus tagged as the world's largest pineapple building. Well, some might argue about this title, but as at now, it stands so.

Bathurst's Pineapple Building can clearly be described as one of the most visited cities in South Africa compared to the rest of the tourism areas. And residents are proud of the spirit of their village as tourists travel further to see this edifice.

There are various entertainment centers and shopping centers here. Grocery shops, clothes hangers, retro shops, pottery studios, and clothing stores that specialize in luxury clothing. This and many other art gallery groups and craft centres with funky collections are available. A memorable thing here is the 1970s old store that kept suitcases in suits and old records from the 1950s.

Okay! now I decide to go outside the building. In front of the building is a well maintained courtyard surrounded by lavender bush with a pleasant aroma. And that is a white ceramic lavatory covered with nice facilities attached. This area is very inviting and cool so many people keep entering and exiting. From my position, I saw a dancing donkey, located in the nearby Ndlambe community in Bathurst. It's always nice to be here, especially children because there are more than 1400 interesting items.

In the heart of the village of Pineapple is the oldest drink shop in South Africa, built in 1831 by Thomas Hartley. Hartley was a blacksmith who came from the Nottinghamshire settlement.

Bathurst is rather a saporific town but is very lively every day, especially on Sundays. A visit here is useful, because there are really interesting people who make your visit a memorable one.

The Pineapples

There are two varieties of pineapple that are grown commercially not only in Bathurst but throughout the country - Smooth Leaf Cayenne and Queen. Cayenne is the largest plant and the only variety suitable for canning. It is much bigger and has a lot of juice. Pineapple grows on the central stem of the plant, with only one fruit per plant born. Meanwhile, the Queen does not produce so much juice.

Entrance Fees And Others

There is no participation fee. It free! Everyone is welcome except people with disabilities who may feel unwell because of the large numbers. The best time to travel is Sunday morning.

Business hours are 9: 00-17: 00. Everyday.

Children can also come and have fun on the farm tractor through the pineapple fields. Canoeing and scenic riding are also possible. Indeed, it is a fun attraction for the whole family.

As a community of artists, academics, retirees and musicians, people will wonder what their motivations are. From my investigations, these prominent people were attracted to this place because of the creative spirit of the village. Some travelers even come for weekend and never leave for a while.