East of Clarens on R 712, which runs through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, is Phuthaditjhaba, formerly capital of the homeland of Qwa-Qwa (a name which means "whiter than white" - referring to the white patches on Mt Qwa-Qwa formed by the droppings of the Cape vultures which nest here). Qwa-Qwa was the smallest South African homeland,
with an area of only 1,300sq.km/500sq.mi. Now reincorporated in the Republic of South Africa, it has a population of 190,000 Bakwena and Balokwa, two South Sotho tribes.
In Phuthaditjhaba visitors can buy local craft products, including tapestries, baskets, copper and pewter utensils and glassware.