Growing up in a city and qualifying as an insolvency practitioner with my own business in Sandton, the rigid unforgiving interwoven fabric of the commercial shroud was a given. In my practice I ended up administering embattled businesses and people, crippled by long term landlord commitments, heavy marketing costs serious management mistakes largely attributed to a non- caring/sharing competitive environment and onerous legislation.
Upon retiring to Hoekwil in Wilderness, I immediately began fulfilling a lifelong dream of working with wood and started building miniature ox wagons. As demand for the wagons increased, I soon reached a point where I had to step up a level with production and inevitably the costs increased proportionately. In order to sustain the production costs it became necessary to develop innovative thoughts on how to maintain a constant demand.
Upon studying meander philosophy typical of the Midlands Meander success, I was totally taken aback by the awesome potential that we have here in Wilderness and indeed in the whole of the Garden Route. Imagine my surprise and the excitement I experienced to find a completely different world within which to do business. Not only a picture-perfect environment but also a totally different business perspective. Businesses do not have landlords, they operate within the surrounds of their own choice and set their own pace, marketing costs are shared with fellow entrepreneurs, the businesses enjoy direct sales benefits and clients are brought to the door. Children grow up in a stable, low crime environment where subjects like Business Economics, Accounting and Entrepreneurship are a way of life.

After meeting a few of the locals the meander concept developed very quickly and the Hoekwil Hoopla Country Enterprises route (Hoopla) was born. The Hoopla's 30km circular motor route begins in Wilderness and travels up the scenic Serpentine mountain pass, through quaint Hoekwil village to the forestry and farming communities at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, then down to The Lakes District. Meandering alongside forests, rivers, lakes and the museum-line railroad, visitors can choose to stop at places of interest to view fascinating country enterprises, arts and crafts, historical features and natural wonders. En route, delicious country fare is offered at picturesque tea gardens/restaurants and accommodation is available at top quality guesthouses.

A dedicated committee of enterprising members who are committed to the vision of networking have contributed towards the exceptional success this meander has achieved in a very short span of time. The prime function of the committee is to propose and implement marketing strategies and to ensure that all members maintain an acceptable standard and conform to the beautiful environment.

Tom Hodgson