Having travelled quite extensively over the last few months, my daughter and I have had a whale of a time in Plettenberg Bay.
I noticed a lot of signage saying Bitcoin Welcome and Bitcoin, the preferred method of payment and this really piqued my interest.
I found the following article about Witsand on Google>
Witsand, known for its fynbos, whale watching, and flatwater kiting spots, has become one of the first towns to adopt Bitcoin for everyday transactions. In this town, residents and visitors can buy petrol, groceries, surf lessons, and more using Bitcoin. This trend is growing along the Garden Route, particularly in Plettenberg Bay. In an interview with Biznews, Witsand resident Eldry Hill explained that this shift is a response to the significant depreciation of the rand against the dollar, providing a hedge against South Africa's monetary policy. Hill noted that Bitcoin is particularly suited for individuals in South Africa who are considered unbankable, as it does not require a traditional bank account and allows people to earn Bitcoin through work. Early adopters in Africa, she said, can benefit from Bitcoin's scarcity and it is an attraction for tourists from the Bitcoin community.
We first discovered these Bitcoin signs at the market - a delightful place to buy local goods and enjoy a lovely meal.
Later as we went into the little town these signs were all over. What a pleasure to see that one can use Bitcoin now and not just collect it and have to wait many years to see any benefits.
What a lovely surprise to see this in South Africa. I really look forward to exploring this further. Witsand here we come. In truth, I've yet to pay for anything using Bitcoin. For now it still seems a little unreal.
Another fun fact from my research:
In the 16th century, Portugeuse explorers landed at the Breede River mouth and found delight in the surrounding bay, as it held promise of fine natural anchorage. The small coastal town of Witsand in the Western Cape, was proclaimed in 1909. Navigator Manuel De Mesquita Perestrello named it St. Sebastian's Bay.
