Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit are photo-journalists, writers, publishers and teachers operating from their home base in Cradock, Eastern Cape Karoo, South Africa.
Under the Karoo Space banner, they specialise in telling stories from the Heartland of South Africa. In the past 20 years they have travelled vast distances and built up a large network that spans more than 100 towns and villages in the hinterland.
In their constant search for the narrative of the Karoo, Chris and Julie painstakingly recorded the lives of people who call this area home. On the way, they picked up a wealth of stories blended with lifestyle, historical, cultural and natural information – and no shortage of offbeat tales.
Their work has appeared in local publications that include Getaway, SA Country Life, Sawubona (SAA), Drive Out, Wild, Sunday Times (Johannesburg), Die Burger, Farmer’s Weekly and international platforms: High Life (British Airways), The Guardian (UK), Roads & Kingdoms and National Geographic Online.
Their independently-published and best-selling books include Karoo Keepsakes, Karoo Keepsakes II, Road Tripper Eastern Cape Karoo, The Journey Man, Moving to the Platteland, Karoo Roads I and, in 2021, Karoo Roads II.
But the Karoo Space journey does not end there. Marais and Du Toit also work with Rhodes University’s Research Office, writing about their world-class scholars.
Chris and Julie are seasoned tutors, contracted with the SA Writers College to teach aspiring travel writers and future freelancers their trade.
For more information on their editorial services, contact them at info@karoospace.co.za
Pingback: Who Wants to be a Travel Writer? - Karoo Space
Pingback: Chris Marais | TravelWrite
Wonderful to hear from you Julienne. You and Chris have made a special mark on South African life, and the Karoo deserves you.
I’m 83 now, but still remember you well.
My wife and I live in a retirement village in Bergvliet, Cape Town. It feels rather like an upmarket prison during these lockdown conditions.
All good wishes.
John
Dear Chris and Julienne. Just love your work. Totally agree with John Patten. Hope 2021 brings more spectacular travels and stories for us to read. Very best regards. Brian.
What a beautiful and inspirational story! Dr Sooliman is an absolute hero. An interesting link for me is that my Grandfather was station master in Klipplaat just short of 100 years ago. We often travel often through the karoo, and Klipplaat is still on the bucket list. Sometime soon…
Hello Chris,
You probably don’t remember me – John Gelb – was a Yank working for 6 months at Pretoria News in 1974-75. Lived with several Afrikaners during my stay, one of whom was Madeleine Van Biljon (the younger, and the one who also worked at Pretoria News). I heard today of her death one month ago, and because we were very close, it has brought back a flood of memories of that long-ago time. So far, you’re the first person whose name I’ve found and also discovered great stuff about! Beautiful pictures. My wife wants to visit South Africa and go on safari next year. anyway, I remember you quite well. In particular, you loved music, and wrote reviews of new rock albums. All best, and hou die vlag hoog!! John
Many interesting books , which hopefully I will one day get around to reading .
I have to say kudos to Ya’ll for the excellent and detailed content you guys put together
Excellent work.
I browsed through your book ‘A Drink of Dry Land’ whilst having breakfast at National Hotel in Jerusalem.
14/12/2023
Thank you for the lovely book Shorelines which we purchased in the Karoo national park last week and I finished today. What a wonderful book with great humour but very sad facts. Thank you.