The image depicts a partially constructed stone castle with a tall tower and archway, surrounded by trees and bushes, set against a blue sky with clouds.
The image depicts a large, brown building situated on a hill, surrounded by lush greenery and set against a gray sky with clouds.
The image depicts a spacious room under construction, featuring stone walls and ceiling, with scaffolding and ladders, and metal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling.
The image depicts a spiral staircase with a brick wall and concrete steps, featuring a metal railing and a wooden plank, set against a dimly lit background.
The image shows a wooden door with a corkboard featuring photos of people, a map of France, and handwritten text, likely from a French volunteer program.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a river flowing through a lush forest, with a small house nestled among the trees and a mountain rising in the distance.
The image depicts a stone archway with a blue sky and white clouds in the background, showcasing a harmonious blend of natural elements.
The image depicts three men working on a construction site, with one man climbing a ladder and another standing on a platform, set against a clear blue sky.
The image depicts the interior of a building under construction, featuring exposed brick walls and ceilings, with a central metal pole and a room filled with wooden materials in the background.
The image depicts three women gathered around a table laden with an assortment of food, including sushi, soup, and other dishes, in a cozy dining setting.
The image depicts a group of six people gathered around a table, enjoying a meal together in a rustic outdoor setting with a stone wall and chimney in the background.
The image depicts an abandoned building with a partially constructed balcony and scaffolding, surrounded by trees and bushes in a rural setting.
The image depicts a stone wall with arches, featuring a prominent stone structure with a blue sky and white clouds in the background.
The image depicts a large stone building under construction, featuring multiple windows and archways, with a dirt yard in front and a clear blue sky above.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a castle atop a hill, surrounded by lush greenery, with a tranquil body of water in the foreground.
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Build a Castle in beautiful natural Bushveld, Mokopane, South Africa

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    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    25 Jun 2026

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Country info

If you are not a South African Citizen and planning to visit South African to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    A Castle in the Bushveld of South Africa. It is a crazy dream.
    If you are a Tradesman, Carpenter, Mason or Metalworker, please come help us to one step closer to completion:

    While many people are building quick castle illusions, we could not settle for that. It had to be real heavy stone and concrete. Marie is my mom, and she has been the carrier of this dream for 25 years. (Marie was a pre-primary school teacher, artist, potter, cattle farmer, nature lover, and now a builder through apprenticeship).

    Today I have been an Architect for 20 years, but when this project was dreamed up I was a boy. Today the building stands 75% done, and we have been helped by people from around the world. People that have crept deep into our hearts, starting long ago with Jean and the loveliest people you will ever meet.

    I assist with technical guidance and construction knowledge from 1000 miles away, in Windhoek, Namibia. Marie works with Eunice and Ray, two 'unskilled labourers' but masters at life and people's skills - who have both become quite skilled over the years. She is sometimes assisted by her evenly passionate brother Daan, and long time farmer friend Jannie, who can make and fix anything..

    You will not find a better guide to the beauty of the Nature of the Bushveld than Marie. She has a passion for anything the mind can see or the hand can touch: art, craft, nature, education, and upliftment of people.

    We are situated right in the heart of the Bushveld, Limpopo Province. Close to a village called Sterkrivier and a town called Mokopane. It is only 3 hours drive from Johannesburg (O.R Thambo) International Airport, and 5 hours from the Kruker National Park. Leon, my dad works in Johannesburg and being a couch surfer host and philosopher you will likely be well exposed to South Africa before you reach the farm. Logistically, having and 'ally' in the city makes opportunities for arrival and other local experiences good. While you are in the area you will most likely make a visit to the world renowned Kruger National Park, Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.

    Thank you to all Marie's new 'children' and life-long friends. It has been a joy.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Creative DIY projects
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    This is a living experience in a truly South African 'Bushveld' natural setting. Game farming (basic conservation) is the main business in the area.
    In terms of hands-on artisan building experience, our photo library paints and accurate picture.

  • Help

    Help

    Skilled tradesmen in a wide range of construction work. The building work is mostly masonry and stone masonry with reinforced concrete slabs. Skilled work in carpentry, and steel. We have Steel bending equipment.

  • Languages spoken

    Afrikaans: Fluent
    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Farm quality buildings with separate room, kitchen, bathroom, lounge and outside area. You have direct access to the most beautiful nature and wildlife. You have electricity, a washing machine and most basic amenities. Internet is reasonably good for Africa.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The farm is an exceptionally beautiful piece of natural wilderness in the Waterberg region of Limpopo province, South Africa. Green in the summer rain season, with rust read rocks lining the river below. Hiking, bird watching, discovering natural game, swimming in the river or tubing in the rainy season. Spending time surrounded by Nature. The regional town is a half an hour away, and the city, Pretoria, two and a half hours. This is the heart of what is called the Bushveld, it is the prime game conservation farming and hunting region of South Africa.

    Our internet is half decent, but being a born farmer, you will easier get hold of Marie on Whatsapp. However, be sure to initiate all contacts through Workaway.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 823158427599

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The image depicts three women gathered around a table laden with an assortment of food, including sushi, soup, and other dishes, in a cozy dining setting.

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Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in South Africa Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Africa Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Limpopo Family South Africa
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