This inspiring video from 1998 tells the story of Melkhoutfontein – where Dreamcatcher is based, 10 km from the resort town of Stilbaai, Western Cape, South Africa. In 1991 the Human Science Research Council showed Melkhoutfontein to be one of the most deprived communities in the Western Cape with an 85% unemployment rate. However, as documented in the video, a tourism-focused local economic development strategy led by Anthea, to work with the community to innovate the challenges into solutions, transformed the community from a ‘no go’ to ‘must go to’ destination. This led to the formation of the Dreamcatcher South Africa.

In 1992 supported by Stilbaai Council and local businesses, Anthea founded the Stilbaai Tourism Bureau. Working with Henriette Etsebeth and Hannetjie Ferguson, Anthea spearheaded the establishment of the well-known feeding of the tame eels (Anguilla Mozambica species) which became a popular attraction. In the first year the Tourism Bureau welcomed 8,000 visitors increasing tourism and local economic development. Anthea was also pivotal in the development Jagersbosch (in 1987), Stilwaters retirement development in Stilbaai (1997) and Soeterus in Melkhoutfontein (in 1992) which provide support and housing for aging and vulnerable people – they are still in place today. The video includes important historical archives documenting the development of Melkhoutfontein and Stilbaai – including the building of Soeterus, built by a workforce of 85% women.