Beaula
The sculptor and poet Johan Blignaut created Beaula during 2001
and finally on 6 October 2001 with the help of some friends was
erected in the middle of the Apies River on a island. The Tshwane
Metro Council was not happy with the unapproved erection of this
sculpture and ordered the removal of the structure. With long
debates between the residents, local artist and the Tshwane Metro
Council it was decided to leave Beaula on the island.
On the 2 February 2003, Beaula mysteriously disappeared from her
place in the Apies River. It was said that a Tshwane truck was seen
removing Beaula with debris from the river. This statement was
denied by the Tshwane Metro Council. Did the mighty Apies claim
Beaula??...we will never know. (Maybe you as a geocacher know what
happened with Beaula?).
Beaula was recreated by Johan Blignaut and with permission from
the Tshwane Council erected this time on the eastern embankment
where she still stands today to inspire all.
The name “Beaula” according to her creator Johan
Blignaut was derived from the word “Beautiful” and her
purpose is to inspire all with her gesture to look up and
experience more control of your life. Johan explained to me with
the following “If you are balancing a broom on your hand and
you look down to your hands, you will struggle to control the
balancing broom, but if you look up, you will have full control of
the balancing broom”. Beaula is also seen by the local
artists as the gateway to art suburb Capital Park the Capital
Meander.
There are lots of stories with the spirit of Beaula influencing
people (Good or bad); maybe you can share some stories with us on
your logs….
The cache:
We decided to place the cache location at a safe place away from
the muggles. The final cache location is: S25 43.ABC E028
10.DEF
ABC = 612 plus the number of brick layers that make up the resting
place of Beaula.
DEF = 345 plus the number of square cement blocks on the south side
of the bridge forming a road barrier.
The establishment of the final cache location is only open from
09h00 – 17h00. The owner and staff of this establishment know
of the cache but will not help you finding the cache.