If you’ve ever road-tripped through Nieu-Bethesda, you’ve probably met Beverley (sometimes spelt Beverly), the swimsuit-clad mannequin who lounges in a farm dam. She has been a beloved and slightly eccentric local landmark, greeting travellers from her Karoo pool.
So when Beverly suddenly vanished, the village spiralled into concern, theories and a social media hunt. After all, how does a mannequin disappear from a fenced farm road 7km out of town?
What followed was a week of mystery, guesses and unexpected tourism buzz. And yes, she is back.
How Beverly the mannequin became a Nieu-Bethesda icon
According to EWN, Beverley’s story was inspired by a joke about skinny dipping. Local artist Ryno Greeff spotted a mannequin in a second-hand shop in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and decided the dam needed personality.
He built a heavy concrete base she wouldn’t tip over, dressed her up, and installed her in the farm dam.
And just like that, Beverley the Nieu-Bethesda mannequin became a quirky Karoo attraction. People photograph her en route to Stone Folk of Ongeluksloot. Beverley became part artwork, part mascot, part small-town legend, just like many other unique Karoo attractions.
How Beverley the mannequin disappeared (and returned)
Beverley disappeared on 8 November during the Springbok rugby match against Argentina. On 9 November, Eastern Cape blogger Sunshine Simplicities shared a plea that Beverley was missing after finally meeting her on a recent trip.
Then came the twist and she returned. Nieu Bethesda Tourism finally revealed what happened. The “kidnapping” of this Karoo legend began as a lighthearted prank. Construction workers Quentin Potgieter and Morné van Zanten told Pretoria FM they had moved Beverley the mannequin during the rugby, planning to place her in another dam later. But a colleague unknowingly drove off with her.
By the next morning, they saw the uproar and realised they had to fix things, and decided to turn the mishap into something bigger.
Enter Mission Bev & Jo
Beverley was dressed in a new green-and-white summer dress and taken on a full Karoo road trip, stopping in Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville, Klipplaat and Steytlerville. Their mission? Introducing her to Joseph, the male mannequin at the Royal Hotel in Steytlerville, and giving small businesses along the route some well-deserved attention. Photos of Beverley posing like a true Karoo tourist gave each town a surprise burst of social media spotlight.
Beverley is back where she belongs, ready to surprise curious travellers and anyone exploring the Karoo’s quirkier side. And with this escapade behind her, she now has a story that might make her even more famous than the Owl House.
