Dalene Matthee, author of 13 books, is best known for her four “Forest books” on the Knysna Forest: Circles in a Forest, Fiela’s Child, The Mulberry Forest and Dreamforest.
Dalene was born in Riversdale in the Southern Cape, South Africa, in 1938. She began her writing career with children’s stories and short stories before taking on her first novel after a hiking trip through the Outeniqua hiking trail around Knysna.
The giant Outeniqua Yellowwood Tree at Krisjan-se-Nek was named after Dalene Matthee at the unveiling of the memorial. …
Follow one of the hiking trails to experience the forest first-hand. Two trails start at Krisjan-se-Nek: one trail of 3 km (about 1,5 hours) and one of 9 km (about 3 hours). …
On 20 February 2005, Dalene Matthee died unexpectedly of heart failure in Mossel Bay. Her last resting place is Krisjan-se-Nek, one of her favourite spots in the Knysna Forest. Her ashes were also scattered here. After Dalene's death, Mr Kitto Erasmus, former regional director of Environmental Affairs, suggested to the Matthee family that they should erect a memorial for Dalene in her beloved Knysna Forest.
