South African family history, genealogy, heritage and interesting places, past and present. All articles researched and written by Anne Lehmkuhl. COPYRIGHT ANNE LEHMKUHL, no article can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. EMAIL ME
Mrs Culture
Earlier this year, Bets de Klerk, known as Centurion's Mrs Culture, retired after 21 years. She worked at the Centurion library and art gallery. It will not be a full retireent, as Bets is setting up a seminar centre at her smallholding outside Pretoria. In 1984 Bets created the cultural position at the then Lyttelton library. There were only four cultural societies in the area but by 1999, when she moved to the art gallery, there were 32 clubs and socities using the library's meeting rooms.
Former prisoner heads museum
A former Robben Island prisoner was appointed as the new chief executive officer of the Robben Island Museum, earlier this year. Paul Langa (54) is a an ANC veteran born in Soweto. He studied political science at Wits University. In 1977 he left South Africa to join uMkonto weSizwe but was arrested in the same year and served 14 years on Robben Island as a political prisoner.
Voortrekker Monument keeps pace and grows
Since its opening in 1949, the Voortrekker Monument has watched over Pretoria. The little museum that used to be in the restaurant area, was moved and today showcases many Great Trek artefacts, including the Bible given to the Trekkers in Grahamstown.
In 2001, Fort Schanskop was incorporated into the Voortrekker Monument. This Anglo-Boer War fort houses the Danie Theron statue which was moved there in 2002 from Potchefstroom. There is also a replica of the Tanganjika Monument which was erected in 1953 in Tanzania by the descendants of the Boers who moved there are the Anglo-Boer War.
The 341 hectares around the Voortrekker monument are home to various animals including zebras, various species of buck, and pheasants. There are ox-wagon rides, horse rides, as well as walking and mountain bike trails. The chapel is often used for weddings. Future plans include a heritage centre.
In 2001, Fort Schanskop was incorporated into the Voortrekker Monument. This Anglo-Boer War fort houses the Danie Theron statue which was moved there in 2002 from Potchefstroom. There is also a replica of the Tanganjika Monument which was erected in 1953 in Tanzania by the descendants of the Boers who moved there are the Anglo-Boer War.
The 341 hectares around the Voortrekker monument are home to various animals including zebras, various species of buck, and pheasants. There are ox-wagon rides, horse rides, as well as walking and mountain bike trails. The chapel is often used for weddings. Future plans include a heritage centre.
7 world heritage sites
South Africa now has 7 world heritage sites. The Vredefort Dome, spanning the Free State and the North West provinces, is the latest one declared. The Vredefort Dome is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world, formed an estimated two billion years ago when a giant meteorite hit the earth close to where Vredefort is today. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has allocated R18m from its poverty-relief programme for tourism and infrastructural development of the site. These funds would be used for the eradication of alien invasive vegetation, hiking trails and the construction of a tourism centre.
The Mapungubwe kingdom
In 2000, the then 23 year old Sian TILEY-NEL, author of Mapungubwe: South Africa's crown jewels, became the youngest curator of a South African museum - the Mapungubwe Museum in the Ou Lettere building, University of Pretoria. The museum covers the history of the first South African kingdom between 1220 and 1290. The people of the Mapungubwe kingdom mined gold, copper and iron in the Limpopo area. They created intricate jewellery from these minerals. Their skills as potters and sculpturers can also be seen. Archaeologists have dug up interesting finds since the first finds on 01 January 1933. In 1947, General Jan SMUTS proclaimed the area around Mapungubwe as the Dongola heritage area, but the following year, when the National Party came into power, it was one of the first proclamations they scrapped. In 2003 Mapungubwe was declared a world heritage site by Unesco and last September the Mapungubwe National Park was proclaimed.
Sol DAVIDS, the Mensch of Monument
Sol DAVIDS of Monument, Krugersdorp, is known as the Mensch of Monument. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday at the Noordheuwel Bowling Club. Oom Sol lives in Piet Joubert Street in Monument, where he settled after WW2. He refers to himself as a Free State Jew from Ficksburg. He volunteered for service during WW2 in the British Army and served in Somaliland, North Africa. A transfer to England follwed 5 years later, where he was an officer in the Royal Armoured Call. After the war, he settled in Krugersdorp and started Sol Davids Furniture in Luipaardsvlei. He married Pearl, who passed away recently. They had 2 sons and a daughter. Oom Sol has been an active member of various community organisations and clubs, including the Krugersdorp Chamber of Commerce, the Krugersdorp Arts Festival, Rotary and the bowling club.
Family History Fair in Durban, 24 Sept 2005
A Family history Fair is to be held at the Family History Centre in Montgomery Lane (off Silverton between Vause and Lancaster Roads) in Durban on Saturday 24th September 2005 (Heritage Day) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be about 12 -15 stands with various items of interest, plus research assistance, Internet connection, and various talks and film shows. There will be no charge for stands and entry to the public will be free. For more information, contact Jenny Harries, Director, Family History Centre, Durban - Tel/Fax 031-2022386 or cell 083-6614457.
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