the history of Deneysville
Deneysville News - Looking back at Deneysville 2 The early inhabitants of Deneysville by Gordon Young 3 The farm Elandsfontein 4 Factors leading to the construction of Vaal Dam 7 Vaaldam 7 The history of Deneysville 8 Refengkgotso location 10 Metsing township 11 Simon Poho remembers 12 Groot Eiland 12 Early days by Carol Meyer 13 I remember by Roz Ruggli 15
An O'Grady tells of the old days 17 The original drawings of Deneysville 18 The history of the flying boats 19 The flying boats 20 The Short Empire flying boats by Bill Yenne 21 Solents 22 Southampton 22 Sunderlands 22 Calcutta & Mayo Class 22 The BOAC era of flying boats from Flyer magazine 23 A flight across Africa in a flying boat during the war by Clare Reed 24 Deneysville 1970 25 The mini-skirt and Vaaldam 25 Die NG Gemeente in Deneysville 27 Lake Avenue Inn 28 Deneysville Castle by Gordon Young 29 Brentwood Lodge 29 The Deneysville Aquatic Club by Graham Brown 30 Deneysville Bowls Club 31 St Peter's Combined Church 32 BirdLife Vaaldam 33 The rising tide at Vaaldam from SA Yachting May 1988 34 Sailing at Vaaldam 35 Looking Back at the Sailing Scene by Lex Raas 36 Deneysville a sailing centre 38 At the bottom of Vaaldam a précis in English of the book 40 'Op die bodem van Vaaldam' by Victor E. d'Assonville. Map of Vaaldam 45
1 Deneysville News
Looking Back at Deneysville
In mid-May 1999, the Watchkeepers, a sort of ratepayers association, brought into being the Crows, patrollers on bicycles to keep an eye on Deneysville, to which residents subscribed. It was Neil Luck's idea, the chairman Peter Lambie agreed and turned to Julien Girard and said "Do it". One of the marketing principles was to issue a monthly newsletter. The first appeared in June 1999. Then the committee, always full of bright ideas, thought that Deneysville might need a newspaper and advertisements could cover the cost of printing. This would incorporate the Crow Patrol News. Once again it was "Julien do it." After 14 issues of Crow News (14) months of the Crows, the first issue was published in August 2000 with Julien Girard as the editor. The publication has appeared monthly ever since. The first advertisers were Lily' Garden Nurseries, B&T Electrical, Farm Fresh Eggs and Thys Campher Eiendomme. The first contributor was Lily Coetzee; she and Harry had a nursery, with a column title Lily's Garden Corner. B. P. Geldenhuys wrote the first letter published; it was an open letter to the Deneysville Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Makhale. Andre Cronje was the second regular contributor with his column Out of the Council Chamber. In 2001 Working for Water started removing trees around Deneysville. In March 2001 a letter was published headed 'The fish eagles no longer land on the tree chopped Groot Eiland" written by Chris Farrington. In May the first Bird Club News appeared and the TREE LINE an update by Margaret Williams on Working for Water. At this time Deon Serfontein started his website www.vaalshopper.co.za and in June 2001 his first 'Deon's Computer Corner' appeared. He is still a contributor today. Clare Read was asked for a review in the October issue covering the 20-11 disaster. His heading - New York...... New York. His first Pet's Para appeared in the December issue that year. Peter Clare Read remained a popular contributor until his death. In the December 2001 issue the first Looking Back at Deneysville series was printed. It was entitled In the beginning - the varied inhabitamts of Deneysville. and was written by Gordon Young. This publication is the collection of all these articles which have been published monthly ever since.
2 The varied inhabitants of Deneysville Skull found by Gordon Young in the Because of the strong flowing Vaal River The Tswana speaking inhabitants village and it's once teeming wildlife, the area we hunted, but also planted crops. They in turn Workers digging now call Deneysville, attracted a variety of were displaced by the roving "Impis" of foundations at the site of indigenous and transient peoples. Some Chaka Zulu and other warring Bantu tribes. Happy, the electrician's 20,000 years ago, upright walking, hairy ape- With the departure of the Tswanas, the house, unearthed a skull. like men lived along the river banks in Khoi Khoi returned and lived in the circular The police were called hollowed out caves. They used finely stone buildings that had been abandoned. to investigate and have chiselled stone implements, which have been They hunted, but now also turned to checked by their forensic found here. cultivating crops. They made iron spears, and experts. Over a long period of time Tswana arrow tips, as did the Tswanas, using air The skull was damaged speaking people migrated from the north and bellows for their ovens. Thet also made a by the diggers, suggesting built and settled in a band of 'Iron Age' stone variety of baked clay pots. that it has been in the ground igloo type structures. They stretch from The coming of the Bantu and white for a very long time. It is Thabazimbi in the west, to Deneysville in the settlers displaced the Khoi who now became generally thought to be of east where ruins, dating back some 600 years, a more nomadic people retreating to semi- Tswana or Khoi-Khoi origin. abound. desert areas. A 'Khoi' skull was found in Their arrival in Deneysville displaced The construction of the Vaal Dam the area some years ago but hordes of Khoi Khoi who had migrated from commenced in 1932 to provide jobs during disappeared and the south and settled here as hunters over a the depression. The housing of the workers unfortunately does not form period of many thousands of years. was the start of the populated Deneysville,
Special tool cast in Deneysville foundry
This as yet unpatented implement, was cast in Deneysville and the manufacturers were unaware of the great marketing possibilities of their design. ' The manufacturers cast them for their own use during the Iron Age. They were the early Tswana inhabitants. A most useful tool that could be marketed today! These implements were found while digging foundations in town. The skull found at the site in Similar implements are on display at the High Street not far from the Deneysville Library together with other Khoi ruins on the nature artefacts, some from the earlier Stone Age Early iron implements found in the reserve situated on the koppie. period. Deneysville area. Probably a Sotho-Tswana skull A report on the skull, found in origins in the area at roughly Sotho-Tswana on account of Management Plan for the High Street near the Gawie de the same time (Huffinan, the stonewalling, which needs archaeological remains in the Beer Nature Reserve on the 2002). Archaeologically the testing." Reserve." 21st of August 2008, was first Iron Age Farmer Some of the recommendations "A Conservation Management received by the Deneysville communities to settle in the are: "The site should be Plan for the archaeological Library. This was compiled by area are the Nguni migrations regarded as significant and can remains in the Gawie De Beer W.C. Nienaber of the Forensic out of (present day) KwaZulu- possibly elucidate Iron Age Nature Reserve must be Anthropology Research Centre Natal and the Fokeng with Farmer settlement in the developed and implemented ... of the University of Pretoria. Nstsuanatsatsi facies pottery area ...... any archaeological to minimize the impact of "The skull, mandible and moved into the area around the resource that might add to development on the site." scapula were part of a skeleton mid 15th century (Huffman, current knowledge regarding "Interpretative signage for the buried in a tightly flexed 2007). Also, according to Nguni expansion on the archaeological remains in the sitting position. Huffman (2007), the Highveld is extremely Gawie De Beer Nature The only indication of Olifantspoort facies of the valuable. This site might Reserve must be improved. It age of the remains are in Maloko tradition corresponds contain evidence for contact is suggested that these association with the site. with the pottery and between Kwena and Fokeng recommendations be Based on oral tradition stonewalling found at the site. people, again significant. implemented as a partnership the general area was settled by At this stage too little is known Phase II mitigation work on between the private land the Kwena Sotho-Tswana to securely assign it to any of Erf 41 will establish the owner, the Municipality, people between 1550 and 1650 these traditions, but validity of these assumptions SAHRA and a research AD. The Fokeng also had their preliminarily it is thought to be and can guide a Conservation instituion." 3 Deneysville News May 2009 The farm Elandsfontein (Translated from the original in Afrikaans)
Groenpunt Prison some 10 km from Deneysville on the Vereeniging road is situated on a portion of the farm Elandsfontein. A school was established there in the early days.
Chris Fourie has kindly given a copy of the history of the farm and life there from the eighteen hundreds written on the request of the principal and compiled by Mr. Michael C. Engelbrecht. Readers will be treated to interesting facets of life and history of the earlier days.
Forward by C.H. Chris Fourie In 1960 the 3-man Engelbrecht School was moved from the farm Elandsfontein to Deneysville, with teacher, pupils and all. There were then 72 pupils attending the school while Deneysville only had 6. The principal at the time was Mr. W. C. H. (Wynand) Fourie, my father. This history refers to three schools, the Stofberg Gedenkskool, Engelbrechtsdriftskool and the dagskool van Stofberg Gedenkskool which was instituted by the N. G. Kerk where black teachers and Leeraars were in- structed. The personnel and students were later transferred to Turfloop (the University of the North) and to Witsieshoek. The 'dagskool' was for the children of married students and black personnel. Engelbrechtsdrift School was a primary 'farm school' for children of the white personnel and children of the neighbouring farms.
Burgers' rights Farms of about 4000 Morgen were given to the 'burgers' who took part in the Basotoe wars. Piet van Vuuren was the original owner after the wars and he sold the 4350 Morgen to Gerhardus Christoffel Engelbrecht in 1870 for 300 pounds. He built the first house of clay and thatch, 'sinkplaat' was still unknown. He in turn sub-divided it amongst his nine children. One sold his portion to Willem de Kock who in turn donated two morgen, where the Engelbrechtsdrift School stood, to the Department of Education. The corrugated iron building, which is still there was erected and the school was opened in October 1903.The first teacher was Mr. Jan Kruger. He was followed by Mr. Louw Malan in January 1904 and Mr. W. Oberholzer was appointed in his place in April 1904
Life on the farm 1870 to 1908 The first house on the farm was built of clay with a thatch roof. Corrugated iron was not known yet in the interior. Game was so plentiful that the veld became a dust bowl where only the youngest and strongest of the farmer's cattle could be kept alive during the winter months. Game included springbok, blesbuck, wildebees and hartebees. Jackals, lion and 'wolwe' were plentiful. No one cultivated the land.
After 1880 when farmers could sell hides to dealers, the extermination of game took place on a grand scale. Thousands of animals were shot. They were skinned and the carcasses left in the veld. After a few years this brought about the great trek of the animals to the north. They gathered in herds and single mindedly swept through the countryside and fording rivers in their thousands. The weak, lame and drowned were food for the beasts of prey that followed them. Soon only small handfuls of buck were left scattered throughout the whole of the Free State.
The usual fare in the evening was game and stamped mealies with. 'growwe brood', whole wheat bread. Butter and milk were plentiful, tea was unknown, and because coffee was so expensive the housewives regularly mixed it with burnt bran. Ready- made clothes were not available. They were all handmade by the housewife.
Doctors were few and far between. The housewife had her own medicine chest with a remedy for every illness, all except 'witseerkeel' and 'pokke'. Doctor Bloed was the first in the area. He arrived in Heilbron in 1890, ten years after the town was established. It was fortunate for old Mr. Gert Sheepers of 'Stroom-af' next to Elandsfontein. There was an epidemic of diphtheria fever and most of his very large family contracted the disease. With the help of Doctor Bloed they all survived. In 1895 a start was made to inoculate children against smallpox. M.C. Engelbrecht, the son of G.C. did it himself The pus from a child inoculated a few days earlier was used. They all took.
Until 1880 the nearest shop was in Kroonstad and the 'smous' would take his wares from farm to farm. The best sellers were coffee chintz for the ladies and corduroy for men's clothes.
In 1387 Willie Kock obtained the rights to establish a shop on the farm, a boon to all in the area. At this time there was so much game that only the strongest of the few cattle and sheep the farmers had could survive on the little grazing left. There was no thought of even trying to plant any crops.
Leeukop Leeukop was also part of the original Elandsfontein farm. The Matatese, a native tribe lived here. They were a peaceful people. They were virtually exterminated in 1836 by Silkaats who plundered the area and murdered all but a few young maidens, which he took back home with him. One youngster by the name of Malgas escaped and returned to the farm and lived there with his offspring for many years. Their village was exactly where the Stofberg Gedenkskool stands today. He died in 1895, a very old
4 man indeed, and was buried on the farm. The skeletons and in particular skulls of the Matateses slaughtered in this raid and the second Boer War can still be seen at Leeukop.
The Church Until 1880 the nearest church was in Kroonstad which could only be reached by ox wagon. A long journey for the writer when he got married. In this year Heilbron was established and with the first 'predikant' Dominee Minnaar.
As the people could not attend church regularly, they insured that their religion was not forgotten. It was the custom for the head of the household to conduct services at home. Especially on Sunday mornings he would a special service 'huisgodsdiens' where all the children and the servants attended. G. C. Engelbrecht, the owner of the farm held his services under the old pear tree which he originally planted which was still there in 1959. The old round rock under the tree bore witness to his daily prayers there. He died in 1890.
Nicolaas Roots lived on Knoppiesfontein, the farm where VaaIdam was built. It was his 'burgerreg'. He always held a Sunday school for the children of the neighbouring farms. He even held Catechism to be taken into the church. Gert Scheepers of Kruisementfontein also held Sunday schools but he conducted burial services in the area without the help of a minister. The cost in those days was ten shillings.
The minister would hold services at Elandsfontein. They used these services to christen the children. It was only after 1890 that a few people used a car or horse to get to church services.
Until the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand, Kimberley was the most important destination. Many of the old father G.C. Engelbrecht's sons and sons in law were important 'transportryers'. The ox wagons went to Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg to load up with goods for Kimberley. Goods were even collected from 'die Baai', Port Elizabeth, and taken to Kimberley. After the establishment of Johannesburg in 1886 most of the traffic went there. The local farmers in the area now started producing grain crops on a large scale. They now had a large market for cereal, horse fodder, live stock, butter, eggs and poultry. As Johannesburg expanded so the transport riders descended on the area. They came from far and wide with their loads. Mr. Fourie's own father, he writes, erected the first corrugated iron house in Johannesburg, which he brought with ox and cart from Ladysmith. These transporters were plagued with cattle disease like red-water and lung sickness. This often delayed them for months before they could deliver their load.
The road to Johannesburg ran through Elandsfontein where the Engelsbrecht School was built. Wynand Fourie explains that the ox wagons ground the pot clay into a hard foundation like a tennis court. In 1960, some 50 years later the hard bare patches could still be seen in the veld round the school. When gardening one often found this hard layer a few inches under the flowerbeds. The Vaal River was a great stumbling block for the transporters. There was no proper drift. In 1888 Theunis Engelbrecht the son of G.C. approached the governments of the Transvaal and Orange Free State to construct one. This was built above the point where the stream joins the river, hence the name Engelbrechtsdrift. Later a new one was built a little lower down.
The pont During the summer months after heavy rains the river rose to such an extent that the wagons could not get through for long periods. In 1889, a brother, M. C. Engelbrecht and Thorn Cew (spelt Keogh), a carpenter from Heilbron decided to build a pont. John Pierce of Heilbron lent them the money. The pont was so successful that the loan of £300 was repaid in two months. It was a big pont able to carry an oxwagon and a team of 16 oxen. The cost was £1 for a full wagon and 10/- for an empty one.
At times transport riders would be held up for a week or two when the river was in flood and the pont could not operate. The pont would then have to be looked after day and night so that it did not come to rest on the ground as it weighed thousands of pounds and then could not be shifted.
The transport traffic to Johannesburg increased to such an extent that hundreds of wagons now queued up to cross the Vaal, on the pont, which was now working day and night. The two owners had now made enough money to expand their business interests. Mr. M.C. Engelbrecht bought another farm while Thorn Cew bought a bottle store in Heilbron. A certain farmer was in a hurry to reach the market decided to use .the drift. The river was running fairly strongly and it was a little chancy. Against the warnings of the other transporters he started crossing with his team of red Afrikanders and his load of wheat. The leading oxen reached the main current and animals and wagon were swept down stream. A few young Engelbrechts who were good swimmers jumped in and cut most of the oxen free. The rest tumbled down stream never to be seen again. With the coming of the railway the ox and wagon was no longer economical and this form of transport disappeared.
Tax collectors Mr. Thom Barry who later lived in Heilbron, was the first tax collector at the Orange Free State border. All purchases made in Johannesburg were taxable. This included clothes, groceries and household articles. The transporter was assessed after crossing the river at the pont. Until Johannesburg came into being, little grain was produced at Elendsfontin. The lands that could be irrigated were planted mainly for the farmer's own use. This all changed with the mining of gold and farmers in the area began planting mealies on a large scale. At this time there was no fencing and the animals had to be herded and kept out of the fields. It was only in 1896, ten years after the establishment of Johannesburg, that the first fence was strung across 5 Elandsfontein. This original fence was still in existence in the nineties.
Rinderpest of 1896 With the growing rumours of the outbreak of rinderpest, which started in the north of the country, the Free State Government placed guards along the Transvaal border to ensure that livestock did not cross the river into the Free State. It was to no avail and the disease spread amongst the farmer's cattle.
Two men appeared from the Transvaal and claimed that they had a ‘miracle’ vaccine against the disease. Over 600 cattle were injected on Elandsfontein. A week later they started dying and after two weeks only some 30 had survived. By this time the men had fled never to be heard of again. The neighbouring farmers injected blood and even gall from uninfected cattle, with the result that relatively few died of the disease.
Schooling before the 2nd Boer War Teachers were scarce in the old days. Shortly after G.C. Engelbrecht acquired Elandsfontein a man pitched up professing to be a teacher. It was later discovered that he was a deserter from the army. His name was Meester Merrit. At least he taught them to read and write and a bit of "Vader Helmbroek". This was a book used to prepare children for confirmation in the church.
In 1894 another deserter arrived at the farm, one Heiter Little. He wasn't much of a teacher and the children l;earnt very little. "We all received a reading book and we were left for the day with it open in front us.” After a few months he received his marching orders. Shortly after one of the government's visiting schools arrived. The teacher was a Mr. Rust from Malmesbury. He was good and taught all to read, spell and write, and how to do figures and arithmetic. We were also taught English. The older kids were taught geography and history. The remains of the school building can still be seen, it forms part of the home directly opposite the post office. After two years the touring school moved to Kruisementfontein to Mr. Rooi Frans van Vuuren. It remained there until the second Boer War. The system fell away after the war and the children were taught in English. Here and there a little Hollands was taught as a language.
During the period preceding the 1899-1902 Boer War the folk of Elandsfontein enjoyed their sport. They enjoyed 'skeifskiet', jukskei and quoits, an individual game played with iron rings which are thrown over pegs placed some distance apart. When a flooded Vaal River prevented the wagons crossing, the wagoneers spent their time playing these games.
There were no less than fourteen homes on Elandsfontein, all children and grandchildren of G.C. Engelbrecht. In those days it was not unusual to find a household of ten or more children.
There were many young people at Kruisfontein and it was general practice for the young boys and girls of the two farms to gather at one of the houses. They would sing hymns and psalms together. If they gathered early enough a service would be held first and then they would sing until lunchtime. The housewife would take catering for this bunch in her stride. After lunch there would be more singing before all went back home.
The second Boer War October 1899 - May 1902 Twenty-four able-bodied men from Elandsfontein took part in the war. Except for three who were wounded they all returned unscathed. After the war the families returned from the concentration camps and restarted life in abject poverty. Eleven of the children had died there. The English Government issued rations to the returnees to keep them alive. Not one house was left standing, they had all been burned to the ground or demolished. It took at least a year before the people could start standing on their own feet. Most of the youngsters married and moved away from the farms. In 1908 Frans and M.C. Engelbrecht sold their farms to the church and left the area.
Today the Stoffberg Gedenkskool stands on the two pieces of ground.
(That was the position in 1959, when Michael C. Engelbrecht recorded this history. After, in 1998 Groenpunt was built here.)
6 Factors leading to the construction of Vaaldam Bibliography: History of the Rand Water Board as printed in the publication "Vereeniging 1892-1967" the story of a South African town recording its growth during 75 years from a riverside colliery village to a major centre of the Republic's industry. (Statistics are Circa 1967)
It was not long after the gold rush before the small streams on the Witwatersrand were unable to supply sufficient water for the prospector's needs. Sir James Sievewright headed a syndicate, which was granted a concession to supply the area with water. In 1887 the Johannesburg Waterworks Estate and Exploration Company Ltd. was formed which sourced its water from the area. Barney Barnato soon had a controlling interest in the company. Boreholes had to be sunk to meet the growing demand. About 6.8 million litres was supplied daily. A severe drought in 1895 raised the price of water to two shillings and sixpence a bucket. Water was now being sourced from Zuurbekom and the Klip River. In 1902 steps were taken to form the Rand Water Board to replace the private companies and supply water from Springs to Randfontein. Using the Klip River and newly sunken boreholes at Zwartkoppies 10 million gallons was supplied daily. The Barrage was designed to provide an additional 10 million gallons a day. The newly formed Rand Water Board developed its rights in the Klip River Valley, boreholes were sunk in the dolomite underlying the far Zwartkoppies and adjoining farms, and by the middle of 1910 the board was supplying 10 million gallons per day. It was now recognised that an ample supply of water for the Witwatersrand ultimately depended on developing a river scheme, and in 1913 they proceeded with the "Lindeque's" scheme on the Vaal River. The Vaal is the major tributary of the Orange River. It rises in the highlands of the then Transvaal and is the most important river draining the inland plateau. It is important as the boundary between this province and the Free State and its juxtaposition to the diamond mines of Kimberley and the gold and coalmines of the Northern Free State and Southern Transvaal. In terms of the Rand Water Board Supplementary Water Supply (Private) Act 1914, the Board decided to construct a barrage at the Lindeque's site, 25 miles down stream from Vereeniging where the Vaal River had a width of 620 feet. This barrage was designed to provide an additional 10 million gallons a day, but the outbreak of the 1914-18 world war delayed construction until 1918. Work commenced on the 1,400-ft wide barrage, as well as river intakes and the main plant in Vereeniging which included pumping plant, sedimentary tanks, filters and clear water reservoir. Despite every effort at reduction, water consumption had reached 13.448 million gallons per day in 1920. On July 2nd 1922,
Technical Advances - 1930 VAALDAM From a review published Construction commenced in 1934 after the promulgation of the Vaal River Development by the Star newspaper. Act. No. 38 of the same year, and the wall was completed in 1938. As Minister of On February 22, 1934, The Agriculture, Deneys Reitz visited the site in 1935. He had also helped initiate the Vaal-Hartz Star announced a bold scheme. As Minister of Land he had some years previously visited the alluvial diamond Government plan to harness diggings along the Vaal nearby. The quarry, now part of the Deneysville Aquatic Club was the waters of the fickle Vaal the one used to build the original wall. River, which only five months With the rapid expansion of industry and the development of the O.F.S. Goldfields the before had run dry. The wall was raised some 6 meters in 1952, which included 60 sluice gates. In 1958 the wall was summer of 1934 witnessed strengthened and raised a further 3 meters odd and the outlet and tunnel were built to feed billions of litres of floodwater Suikerbosrand purification plant. The water previously obtained from the Barrage had become going to waste simply because so infested with bacteria that it was becoming difficult to purify. the Vaal had no storage capac- The dam is the third largest in the Republic and boasts the longest shoreline of any dam ity. as a result of the very flat area, which includes the confluence of the Vaal and Wilge rivers. The £3.5 million cost would The dam is navigable up to the low-level bridge at Oranjeville and to Villiers and beyond not only give the country the up the Vaal River. The huge surface area at the Jim Fouche Resort area is very shallow and biggest irrigation scheme down rapidly turns back to but a river when the level drops during dry seasons. Water is now also to Vaalhartz, but supply the received from the Highlands Scheme and Sterkfontein Dam. It is interesting to hear that the Rand, with it's expansion, with next phase to increase the capacity of the Highland Scheme has been cancelled due to the all the water needed for the expected minimal increase in population due to aids. In 1987 the dam dropped to some 13% next 50 years. (The time span and the island was connected to the mainland. Hawaii, the 'underwater island' became a was spot on: 50 years later, to peninsula and Beacon Island came to view where a mass of seagulls nested. The weather here the year, the Rand was in the is varied and unpredictable as it is situated at the edge of the cyclonic belt, which brings the grip of one of it's worst ever thunderstorms to the Witwatersrand. Besides the few tornadoes, winds of over 60 knots have droughts. been recorded. The general westerly winds are punctuated by strong easterlies which generate The lake to be formed two meter waves that pound the Deneysville shores. was unofficially called Lake Besides otters and snakes and the occasional hippo the dam is populated by yellow tail, Deneys. The Star wrote of how carp and barbel, which grow up to three meters in length. The Vaal Dam monster? Divers at this vast stretch of water would the wall are real scared of them. Fresh water prawns have also been seen. be a recreational boon to the The dam was commonly called Lake Deneys, but the name was ignored and still remains Rand. In fact it was to remain a Vaaldam. mostly bare, featureless scene. The Name, Lake Deneys did not stick, but the little
7 DENEYSVILLE This information was taken from an extended essay written by Abram Mahopi Sekete written for his honours degree in history, Potchefstroom University, Vaal Triangle Campus.
Deneysville was named after Deneys Reitz, son of a past president of the Free State. Deneysville Estates Ltd., a company run by Jewish people from Johannesburg (known as Greinamnn Brothers), founded the township of Deneysville during 1936 on the remaining portion of the farm Witpoort and. Wilhelmena. Actually there were three brothers; one of the sons was Mr. Garlick. After the founding of the town they operated as estate agents and. among other things, they set up the town. They did not plan their development properly. They did not start with one section and develop it properly and then go to the next section. The problem was that they concentrated on the entire town and this resulted in inadequate development. Chase and Sons, one of the Vaal Triangles most well known property agencies came to Deneysville after the Second World War. It was in 1946 that Major Cecil Chase and his two sons, Tony and John, founded Chase and Sons (Pty) Limited.
In Deneysville, Chase and Sons did not develop the town like the Greinmann Brothers, instead they were mainly concerned with the selling of properties. Deneysville came into being as a result of the construction of the Vaal Dam. The construction commenced during the depression of the early thirties (1930 - 1933) and was completed in December 1938. The project of constructing the dam wall was used specifically to create work opportunities for people. During the construction of the Vaal Dam many people were employed, particularly white people. As a result accommodation was required for the employees. Many people decided to settle near the dam, thus Deneysville came into being.
The historical development of the administration of the Deneysville Village Management Board was interesting from the late 1930’s onwards. From 1938 to 1940 some houses and a hotel were built and development such as tree planting and the reticulation of water took place. In 1948 the first election of a village management board took place. The board created many amenities, including a camping ground and there was a fine motor boat for cruises on the dam.
During the mid 1950s a bus was introduced by the village management Board - a bus service of the former South African Railways operated between Viljoensdrift station and Deneysville, In 1965 the Village Management Board in conjunction with the Free State Provincial Administration government set aside the scheme for the construction of the road.
The area was declared a municipality on 19 November 1974. The municipality made tremendous development possible, first of all the extension and improvement of the water and electricity schemes were under way in order to meet the increasing demands. Capital expenditure amounting to R60 000 was approved. 1n early 1980 the Deneysville municipality made a number of breakthroughs. While under the Sasolburg municipality they managed to build a library and a mini-clinic.
Sasolburg continued to assist Deneysville with the running of the daily administration. During the late 1980s Deneysville became more autonomous and less dependent on Sasolburg. The local authority still managed to initiate other projects. By 1994 Deneysville and Refengkhotso were amalgamated and many projects were underway. By 1997 in Refengkhotso, the sewerage project was put in place along with many other projects.
HISTORY OF DENEYSVILLE POLICE STATION AND POST OFFICE Deneysville Police Station was founded in 1955, from its outset Deneysville Police Station did not have its own building. The Rand Water Board helped the police personnel with the buildings. The Deneysville police station provided services for the entire area. The nearby farms were also assisted by Deneysville Police Station. Although Deneysville police station operated from the premises of the Rand Water Board, it tried by all means to ensure law and order. When the town and township grew there was a need for a bigger police station. In 1989 the new police station was built with all the facilities. By 1997 the police station had grown to such an extent that more policemen were employed.
DENEYSVILLE POST OFFICE Deneysville Post Office was founded in 1939 after the construction of the Vaal Dam. The Post Office was relatively small, but gradually when the town grew the Post Office was also improved. The Post Office became accessible to the Black and White communities, and the Post Office is still small.
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT After the Deneysville village was founded in 1936, people realised that there was a need for administrators, who would run the town on a daily basis. The first village management board was elected in 1948. The members of the village board were: H. Meyeronetz (Chairman), J.R. O'Grady, J.H. Schoeman, W.H. Brandt and A. Herbst.
In the early 1950s elections were held and the members of the Village Management Board were: S. Kubehen (Chairman). L. Scheepers (Deputy Chairman). A. W. Auers, J. C. de V. Hutchinson and D. van Loller. Chief official: W.J.F.E. Engelbrecht (Secretary and Treasurer).
In 1970 the members of the Village Management Board were: C.H. Fourie (Chairman), Dr F.P. Gunn (Vice Chairman), G. West, Col. P.J. Brits. The Officials were P. du Toit (Town Clerk), S.J. Swanepoel (Location Superintendent), Mrs. A. Pretorius (Senior Clerk).
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From 1973 the members of the Village Management Board were: Dr F.P. Gunn (Chairman),W.H.C. Fourie (Vice Chairman), P. Cilliers, E. Dunn. Chief Officials: C.F. Eilers (Town Clerk), A. Jordaan (Treasurer), C. Strauss (Electrical Engineer) and Dr. E.R. Oehm (Medical Officer of Health).
In early 1974 Deneysville was declared a municipality and the members of the council were: Dr. F.P. Gunn (Mayor), W. Fourie (Deputy Mayor), Mrs. E. Dunn, P.T. Cilliers, Dr. L.S. Kloppers. Chief Officials were people from Sasolburg. In the early 1970s and mid 1970s Dr. F.P. Gunn, a medical practitioner, was progressive in forming the council. He also asked Sasolburg Municipality to help Deneysville with administrative work. Deneysville at that stage The Vaaldam wall and Deneysville in the background. came under the umbrella of Sasolburg Town Photgraph: Marinus de Wilde Council - the town clerk of Sasolburg was also a town clerk of Deneysville. In 1982 Mr. D. Lubbe was elected as a councillor of Denevsv'ille and became mayor of Deneysville from 1987 - 1988. He was re-elected in 1988. At that time Deneysville became more autonomous and less dependent on Sasolburg. Mr. D. Lubbe resigned from council to take up the position of secretary; he then became a chief secretary of Deneysville. He held this post until 1994.
By early 1994 negotiations started on the interim phase, the parties concerned were the Ratepayers of Refengkhotso and Deneysville, the African National Congress (ANC), the National Party (NP) and the local branch of the South African Civics Organisation (S.A.N.C.O.). They decided on a new model or interim phase, where two places would be continued. All parties decided to opt for a co-ordinating committee of which the members were: L. Rantsane (Chairperson) Mr. Kolokoto (Vice Chairperson), Mr. Cilliers and Mrs. van der Westhuizen. The co-ordinating committee would also be responsible for the elections of 1994. The fund was from provincial government. By 1997 the new councillors were: Mr I. Mokgatha (Mayor), Mr. E. Motaung (Deputy Mayor). Mr. K. Mokoena and Mr. G. Kolokoto.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Deneysville has one primary school, which was established in 1952. It was an Afrikaans primary school. During the late 1950s the school was relatively small. The school from the outset was Sub A to Standard 1 but gradually when the town grew and in early 1970, Standard 4 and 5 were introduced. The school remained an Afrikaans school until 1993. From 1994 the school became a dual medium school. By 1997 Black pupils attended the School.
THE LIBRARY In early 1990 the local authority of Deneysville approved the construction of the public library. Although the library is used by both the Black and White communities, it is too small to provide services for all people. (In 2009 the library in Refengkgotsi was completed and teh Deneysville one is more than adeqauate for toe town's needs.)
SPORTING, LEISURE, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES Leisure activities worked to the benefit of the local industry. Over the years four yacht clubs were founded. They were: Deneysville Aquatic Club, Manten Marina, Willik Marina and Island Marina (stet). This was followed by boat chandlers, boat building and repairs, chemists, doctors, estate agents, petrol and car maintenance. Shared between the many yacht clubs and marinas in Deneysville and on the Transvaal side of the Vaal Dam, racing and cruising events take place all year round. There is a bowling club, two all weather floodlit tennis courts, squash courts and a hall.
GENERAL COMMERCE Deneysville Omega Cafe and Deli Den Café, Park motors, Loafers Cabin and Pub, Roots garden and a home maintenance service. Deneysville butchery and transport, Deneysville drankwinkel, Deneysville action and marketing association. As far as Estate agents are concerned: Deneysville Vaal Dam Estate. Case Estate. Thys Campher and Dickson Estates (stet).
HEALTH SERVICES The first medical doctor in Denevsv'ille was Dr J.C. de V. Hutchinson. He was appointed as district surgeon for the area Viljoensdrift, Deneysville, Oranjeville and right up to Heilbron. Dr Hutchinson was succeeded by Dr. F.P. Gunn (he was a general practitioner). He catered for both the Black and White communities. By 1997 there were other doctors. Dr. Hanekom and the chemist which was started in 1986. The clinic was also built by the Municipality in 1992. The clinic provided the services to Black as well as to the White's people.
RELIGION
9 The African Township: Refengkgotso Location
This information was taken from an extended essay written by Abram Mahopi Sekete for his honours degree in history, Potchefstroom University, Vaal Triangle Campus. (The writer uses the spelling Refengkhotso, not teh now official spelling as in the title above)
The purpose of this chapter is to discuss when, why, and how the African Township was founded. First and foremost we have different schools of thought regarding the reason or factors which led to the establishment of Refengkhotso Township.
One viewpoint to be considered is that the area originated from the labourers who were employed to build the Vaal Dam after the great drought of 1933. They were settled on temporary plots, south of the Dam on the main gravel road to Heilbron. When the dam was completed some of the people stayed behind and became Refengkhotso residents.
A second argument is that Refengkhotso location came into being as a result of urbanisation. When people started moving from the rural to urban areas. It is accepted that people who were staying in the neighbouring farms gradually decided to move to the location. Firstly, the reason being that they wanted to be near so that their children could attend the school.
Another major possibility is that because of the B.O.A.C. (British Overseas Airways) Flying boat people from other areas saw a golden future for Refengkhotso Location. After this people arrived in Refengkhotso. Some were unfortunate, in other words they did not secure work at the Dam.
When all these people came to Refengkhotso they were settled on temporary plots because the village was not yet proclaimed a permanent Black residential area. These people from the outset built mud houses. (The approximate date for the establishment is late 1930.) Refengkhotso is an old township with an interesting history. The village was controlled by the Estate Company known as Chase and Sons Ltd.
From the outset, the early thirties, people built mud houses using bricks and underwood frames and iron sheet and grass roofs. From 1946 the location was moved to its present position, "across the road (on the road to Oranjeville)" The first blockman or councillor was Mr. L. Mahlasela.
Still a small village, it was proclaimed a permanent Black location on 10th November 1948. The first blockmen were Jacob Chabalala and Moses Hoyane and the superintendent of the location was L. Cable, an English-speaking person.
After 1950 Mr. Piet Mentz ran the location with the help of seven blockmen in accordance with the regulations of the Village Management Board. The Chairman was Mr. W. Brandt. In 1976 the growing township was taken over by the Lekoa Town Council.
A clinic was established in Refengkhotso in 1976 and Melta Mathe was the first sister. This served the small population of 200 four roomed houses until 1980 when the location grew with many new residents and squatter houses.
A new clinic was completed in 1993 situated near the main Sasolburg road consisting of four examination rooms, dentist rooms, doctors consulting rooms, duty rooms, a labour ward, nursery and washing room. It was a comprehensive health care facility catering for child welfare, ante natal, elderly care and the control of communicable diseases. There were four professional nurses working from Monday to Friday
The sanitary system was unhygienic. The bucket and pit system was employed, buckets being emptied twice a week. Although bins were available for refuse collection, dumping in certain areas became a problem. Conditions were made worse with most of the population using coal and "umbaula" or "poala" stoves resulting in monoxide poisoning and burns. This continued from 1977 until the recent waterborne sewerage was introduced and the electricity supply installed by Escom.
After the laws on banning the so-called "white-liquor" to blacks in 1962 it was hoped that the illicit shebeens would disappear, but the shebeen continues to thrive. Licensed or not they remain an entrenched feature of the Black township's social fabric despite police constant raids and sometimes high prices. They have however played an important part in bringing the people of Refengkotso together.
The word 'shebeen' is of Irish origin meaning a pothouse or unlicensed house selling intoxicating drink. It is not derived from the Zulu adjective 'shibile' meaning 'cheap'. This thought originated from the old days when women selling liquor along the mine roads on the Reef were shouting "obam shibile" - mine is cheaper. The writer makes a point that shebeens, besides providing alcohol provide a place where people can socialise opportunities to meet women and dance. They are popular among Black people and of course they create jobs. The negative aspect is also highlighted. Many are unlicensed and in some cases their owners, their customers and bouncers can contribute to crime. They aggravate social problems. The regular shebeen visitors spend up to R70 per month causing family disruption and less food on the table. Parents spending time at shebeens tend to neglect their children, which can also lead to them becoming delinquents.
In the secondary school the percentage of adolescents who regularly use alcohol is quite high among both sexes. The growth of 10 shebeens in Refengkhotso location has undermined the value system of family to foster family norms and principles so exerting an unwholesome influence on children. According to Lötter, Schurink and Schmidt who have studied and written about the subject, children subjected to or living near shebeen life are likely to grow up (or at least consider) accepting the abuse of liquor and other antisocial activities as the norm rather than as the exception so becoming irresponsible and criminal.
In the early fifties, Mr. L.E. Notsi became the Refengkgotso primary School principal, assisted by Mr. J.J. Khubeka after Mrs. Mokguba and Mr. Hlabhlala had left. By 1980 standard 7 was introduced and within a few years the school accommodated Standard 10 pupils.
After 1990, because of the severe overcrowding, the L.E. Notsi Secondary school was established using the same buildings. The following year the Nomsa Secondary school was established, still utilising the existing building. With increasing numbers of pupils from farms, squatter camps and Oranjeville, another school was established known as J.J. Khubeka Primary School. With four schools using the same building the Department of Education now provided funds for the construction of the L.E. Notsi Secondary School which was opened in September 1996. This building now housed the Nomsa pupils as well. An adult basic school was established in 1992.
There were limited employment opportunities in the area for the many who had flocked here from veld and farm. Some found work in Sasolburg while others became domestic workers and 'garden boys'. Some who settled from the farms brought their cows so that they could be sold later to produce an income. Others sold fruit and vegetables and tuck shops appeared selling food without the adequate storage facilities.
By 1997 there were three big stores, a butchery and a dry cleaner, who together with the now important taxis, provided limited employment for locals. Many tried to be self-sufficient using intensive farming methods.
The modern 'loans houses' built by different companies, for which rent was levied, were mainly occupied by policemen, teachers and government employees. There were also municipal houses, which were rented out.
The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk was the first church in Refengkhotso established in 1930. Services were held in the school building until their present building was erected in 1984. The Anglican Church followed and the Methodist Church of South Africa, their building was erected in 1970. The Apostolic Faith Mission building was completed in 1990. The Roman Catholic Church played an important role, alternating services with the Anglican Church. Besides a large attendance on Sundays, women met every Thursday to have their services. The Zion Christian Church, established in 1990 and the African Apostolic Church are also in the location.
METSING TOWNSHIP The area was started as a hostel accommodating people building the dam. In 1952 it was popularly known as Scaftin housing Vaal Dam employees. This paved the way for the township and the building of houses as employees could not stay with families. The Department of Irrigation, as it was called then, started the construction of five-roomed houses in 1952. It was a mixed community of Sotho, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and coloured people. It remained relatively small until 1970 when people from neighbouring farms came and settled permanently there. The farm, which was expropriated in 1920, belonged to a Mr. van Vuuren.
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Simon Poho remembers MR SIMON POHO BORN 10 August 1922 HIS REMEMBRANCES OF Refengkgotso AND DENEYSVILLE. AS TOLD TO ANNA LEBURU.
I worked at the Irrigation Department in 1944. In the same year arrived a British Empire aeroplane and landed in the Vaaldam. I t was a ‘shocking moment’ for us all. The plane was tied to a pole. The plane cleaners cleaned the plane as soon as it landed. It came directly from Durban to the Vaaldam. It carried many white people. They were first taken by a boat called ‘Ecseller 4 Lounge’ (a launch) to land. When they arrived there were buses that delivered them to different places, like Heidelburg, Johannesburg and many more. I remember that the Deneysville Bridge was built in 1930. It was built by the Italians. The person who was in charge of the project was Mr Maccansi. I, Mr Simon Poho arrived in 1959 and worked for the municipality. I was transferred by Everite from Klipriver. I worked at Pipe-fitters as a plumber. I fitted pipes for the whole town. I was given a stand by the Dorpbestuur. Which is the Deneysville office. I then fitted the electric poles in Deneysville with Mr Scott. The Superintendent Officer was Mr. van Dyk. During that time there was a Maize Grinder called ’Ruler Meal.’ (roller mill). It was launched by Topito Mojuda (Louis Trepido) and was also a butchery at the mill. There was also a Doctor called Dr. Hutchinson near the Water Affairs gate. Then arrived another Dr. Redcliff. Simon Poho, Jonas Mahasela, Voorslag Motholo and Ephraim Notsi were the Blockmen (location councilors). Of the four Blockmen I was the head Blockman. Properties were provided to people who had worked for 6 months or more in the Location. As time went on the ‘Sebokeng Houses’ were built in Refengkgotso. Shortly after this Robert’s Construction arrived and built the ‘Loan Houses’ which all had 4 rooms. Since 1994 we are now receiving the ‘Mandela Houses’ also known as RDP Houses
Groot Eiland In 1850 a voortrekker, who had participated in the Battle of Blood River and in the Congela Battle, settled on the southern banks of the Vaal River. This included today's Groot Eiland on Vaal Dam. The farm was originally 3,000 morgen which was established by riding a horse around the terrain in a specified period. The participating official was paid a half crown (25c), and a rifle butt for his trouble. H.A. Roets had two daughters Susanna and Anna Francina who inherited the land which became known as the two farms Cyferfontein and Zandfontein. Anna married Roedolf Grove and their one daughter married Victor Edward d'Assonville. They named the farm 'Oase' and lived in the homestead at Zandfontein until 1934. In 1899 Roelof Grove, his two sons and Victor d'Assonville joined the Frankfort Commando and survived the Boer War, Die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog'. Anna Grove and her daughters fled and lived in the banks and the bushes of Vaal River for months until the Engelse confiscated the cattle, burnt their homestead and took them prisoner and sent them in an open train from Coalbrook to a concentration camp in Greenlands. By 1902 Roelof Grove was imprisoned and sent to Ceylon. His sons fought with General de Wet and were taken prisoner with Victor d'Assonville. They reached Norvalspont. When the peace treaty was signed, d'Assonville joined de Wet in the Great Rebellion of 1914 to land up as a prisoner in Kimberley with the other Heilbron rebels for six months. The family, together with a bantu, Jim, rebuilt the homestead where the. RAU buildings now stand. Here he wrote a detective/romance novel which was revued by Eugene Marais, a regular visitor to the farm, as was the poet Totius. In 1934 the mother, Martha Catharina d'Assonville died and was buried near the homestead, not in the graveyard which is now under water. Work on the dam commenced in the same year and the farm Oase was taken over. Some 40 years later Randse Afrlkaanse Universiteit took over Groot Eiland and later part of it was taken over Thr Island (or Groot Eiland), the view from the road to Villiers on by the Defence Force. the east side of the dam.
12 EARLY DAYS by Carol Meyer
Deneysville Estates laid out Deneysville as a township in around 1936. Mr. Bermeister and Mr. Garlick had a local sales office where the village management board meetings were held. The chairman and members were elected by property owners. As Deneysville fell under Heilbron the meetings were conducted by their magistrate. Voting was by a 'show of hands'. The town was named after Deneys Reitz the Minister of Agriculture and a lawyer from Johannesburg. Advocate Reitz from Bloemfontein (probably a brother we think) had two stone rondavels built on the banks. They are today St. Peters Church. The early development was along McKenzie Street to Water Affairs and the hotel. There was a general dealer, butchery and three manual petrol pumps run by the Meyerowitz family. This catered for our daily needs. The original buildings are now part of Brentwood Lodge. A monthly trip to Vereeniging on dirt roads for shopping was a must. The annual trip to Johannesburg plus the Pantomime at Christmas were the highlights of our year.
One entered the town over the low level, one way bridge, below the dam wall (it is still there), then along the main road through Water Affairs which is McKenzie Street. The Vaaldam Hotel was built by the owners of the Riviera Hotel in Vereeniging. It was well run and popular for holidays and Sunday lunches and their special Sunday teas, with cream scones of course. Every Saturday night there was a formal dance, black ties and a band from Vereeniging! Jack and Jenny Burns, a Scottish couple ran the hotel and the attached bottle store. At the Water Affairs gate is a stone house built in 1945 by Dr. and Mrs. Hutchinson (my Dad and Mom). Opposite, on the comer of Garlick and Mckenzie Streets was a corrugated iron building, the Post Office with a cement stoep, great for learning to roller skate. The Post Mistress was Anna van der Heever. Telephones were manual and on a party line (no one's 'business' was their own). This is where the local code for survival was formed. "Ek maak net voor my eie deur skoon! (I only clean before my own door.) ... meaning I only concern myself with what is going on, between me and the Dear Lord, and forget what the rest of the village has to say about me! As the post was collected there daily it was the hub of the village. The postbag was brought from Viljoensdrift by bicycle and the postman was often inebriated. On a couple of occasions my Dad, after attending a post mortem at Viljoensdrift Police Station, found him, the post and his bicycle on the side of the road. He piled them into his car and delivered the whole lot to the Post Office. Mr. O'Grady had a garage, (only for repairs) on the comer of Oranjeville Road and Main Street.
The Flying boats, like Catalina's, (BOAC) landed on the dam, flying from England via Lake Victoria to Durban and back. The 'stop-over' on the Vaal Dam generated great excitement and delight, not just for the residents, but also visitors to this country after the war. The passengers were accommodated at the hotel overnight. There is a lovely story that Baden-Powell stayed here and he went out to wander in the lovely rose garden. Jack the manager thought, as he was a VIP, he should escort him. Much to Jack's amusement he was politely thanked and given a shilling tip!
A quite imposing terminal building' was built, (roughly where the Water Affairs Hall is now). There was a 'Luxury Bus Service' which left from the Terminal Building taking passengers to Johannesburg.
An interesting point is that years later when I was selling property in Deneysville (1970 - 1980 on) I found that there were a number of stand owners from all over the world who obviously bought them in those days. It was so hard to persuade them that nothing had happened to increase their "good investment" from those good old days.
Mr. Foxcroft was the local Estate Agent. Dr. Hutchinson, my Dad, was the district surgeon and was appointed as BOAC doctor and Medical Officer of Health. He had to give clearance to passengers disembarking. The launch was run by Mr. Lomax who was in charge of Water Affairs at the time. Captain Norman Cook was the Harbour Master.
The personnel and their families were accommodated in the Water Affairs houses and the children attended the local Deneysville Junior School. (The old building in School Street). Mr. Latsky was the Principal with one other teacher. They taught from grade one to standard six. The children were mostly from the surrounding farming community, Water Affairs and a small sprinkling from the village. We fought the 'Boer War' over every day. If you were English you were automatically called a "Rooi-Nek", labelling you as a dreaded Englishman. A prefab building was erected as a classroom for "die Engelse" where they were taught English.
The children in the area were conveyed to school in a big Desert Jeep. It was considered a great adventure. Luckily there were four of us in the family and we managed to make very good friends with them all, though they never spoke English to us.
A tennis court was built in the Water Affairs camp, which provided days of fun not only for the BOAC families, but also the local children.
When BOAC left, my dad bought both the jeeps much to the excitement of us children. A few of the names of the BOAC personnel that come to mind are Captain Woodhouse, Captain Giles, Captain Cass, Gladys Downs and Mary her mother, the Parnells and Miss van Tonder, Nuel and Tilley Joubert (who no doubt some of you recall, they came back and lived here for a number of years before going to a retirement village in Howick). Mr. Bradford was in charge when the Flying Boat Service was terminated.
The terminal buildings were demolished and the cement surface became a playground for children to play and roller-skate on. We have memories of many functions and concerts held in the terminal buildings. The highlight for all was General Smuts' visit 13 by flying boat from England when he was Prime Minister. All the children met him waving flags and cheering.
The van der Heever family lived in the "Big House" at Water Affairs after Mr. Lomax left as the head of Water Affairs. Mrs van den Heever was the Sunday school teacher for the English-speaking children in the community and Sunday school was held in her home. She was a very enthusiastic and loving person.
My fond memories are of Sunday school concerts and Prize-giving. Dr. and Mrs. Hutchinson had an Anglican Minister, Father Preece, who came from Basutoland (now Lesotho) once a month to stay with them. The Communion Service was held in a stone converted cowshed on their property.
Christenings were held there and a wedding! One of the Water Affairs houses was used as a Police Station. Mr. Bermeister and Mr. Garlick ran the offices of DeneysviIIe Estates (where the Dutch Reformed Church now is). The employees were Mr. van der Heever, Mr. Brand and Mr. Cable who planted all the trees in the village and was overseer for DeneysviIIe Estates.
Life was very tranquil and peaceful. There was a lovely drive round the dam from the front of the hotel all the way to the 'Castle Area' (at the end of Main St.). Of course the whole area was veld and in the dip where the Bowling Club is now situated, there were lots of willow trees and buttercups. We all learnt to swim in the dam. There were rafts where we would suntan and dive and swim for hours on end in. the summer. There was no electricity, and the sewerage was collected by a 'night cart' drawn by donkeys, that came round twice a week. Later my dad bought a small farm (in front of Lake view Flats). My younger sister and I now rode to school on horseback. We all had our horses and rode a lot, to where the school and LDYC now is, just wide open spaces and no one in sight.
TheseEarly memories photographs are recalled mainly takenby my dear by mother Gwen West, aged 92 years, and are of the years from 1945 to about 1950. She has lived with us since August 1970. We have lived here for 31 years, I'm an old timer too!! IDave can only speakLaird. of great love of this place and feel blessed that we have raised our five children here and lead a great life. It is so special having my five grandchildren visit us here. They enjoy hearing about the 'good old days'. My Mom has 17 great grand children.
The foundations of the BOAC terminal at Water Affairs, as they are today. As the dam wall has been raised twice they can only be seen when the dam is at a low level.
14 I remember. Roz Ruggli writes about her early days here with the help of memories from David and Nora Laird, her mother and stepfather. In 1959 the erf no 1292 was bought by D & N Laird. A prefab metal house was erected and furnished and the garden was started first by planting trees. As there was no water laid on to this side of town (we were the only people living down this part of Main/Wendy Ave.) we had to go to the dam with containers to fetch water for the plants, drinking water was bought along with us from Johannesburg. This carried on for a couple of years.
The photographs on this and the following page were taken by David Laird
Above: The original dam wall before being raised twice. Below:Dr. Hutchinson (far right) the BOAC doctor used to inspect planes receiving a cigarette case from M. Billbrough (far left) and Mr. Hefer manager of Irrigation Department (2nd on right) .
it also housed the first library. Then the farm, private open space erf 960, was sold to Mr Sumner Snr. In which the Village Board of Management wrote In 1962 the building of the Castle was started, which meant to David Laird saying that "According to the deeds of that water pipes were laid down to our area and this obviously establishment every owner of a stand in Deneysville will have made life much easier for us. access to erf 960." In 1961 the plans for our house were approved and a Mr. The first Post Office was an old tin building next to the Water Bester who was also building the Castle started to build the Affairs gates with a large concrete veranda, which was existing house with 'Old World' concrete bricks, also used to excellent to use for roller-skating. build the castle. Once the house was completed we were living in luxury with laid on water, a coal stove in the kitchen to cook The municipal office was where the NGK now has its "events on and for heating in winter, and we had a paraffin stove and room". It then moved to the house where the clinic now is and fridge and paraffin lights. The garden started taking shape, a
15 General Smuts in Deneysville. This was probably when he returned to South Africa on a flying boat and then flown to Pretoria afterwards. fishpond was started, the front lounge was added on and a workshop built.
The Castle started operating with a restaurant, and movies were shown once a week. During the week one could find a competitive game of chess being played. New Year's dance was always a great success.
On Saturday nights there was a dance at the Vaal Dam Hotel. In front of the Hotel there were at first tennis courts and then they turned them into a large swimming pool which all the children really enjoyed it was the meeting place for the teens. A small tea-room right next to the swimming pool was run by a Dutch lady, Anne.
You could get almost everything you needed at Louis Trevena's General Dealers (where Brentwood Lodge now is). He also had a mill and a petrol pump. There was a 2nd petrol pump at the castle mainly for the motor boats.
The roads were still in a very bad condition the road from Vereeniging via Groenpunt was full of huge boulders, the slightly better road was via Henly-on-Klip and Meyerton, but after heavy rains the bridge below the dam wall was impassable. This was also the first road that was tarred as it Joy of joys in 1968 we got connected to electricity. Life was was in the Transvaal and not in the OFS. really getting easy.
I started training at the Jo'burg Gen. and when I had a week-end We then got a telephone which was a party line, our ring off I used to get the railway bus from Jo'burg station to was 3 long and 3 short, one had to listen very well Vereeniging station and would be picked up there. otherwise you would have the pleasure of listening to an interesting conversation, that did not concern you. A few When things really started moving in Deneysville, I had married year later we got our own phone number 13 and we had to and moved to Switzerland and returned at the end of 1993. go through the telephonist to get connected, who was situated behind the post office.
16 An O'Grady tells of the early days Irene, the daughter of Red O'Grady grew up in Deneysville and operated the telephone exchange here and became post mistress.
In 1943 J.R. O'Grady (Red) and his wife (Lil) and two and a half year old daughter Irene came down from Zambia and opened Vaaldam Motors next to their house on the corner of Main Street and Oranjeville Road. Besides selling spares he had a hand operated petrol pump. He undertook repairs on most everything, bicycles, cars, tractors as well as the roller mills housed next to the Deneysville Supply Stores which is now Brentwood Lodge. Irene O'Grady now Kriek, remembers the BOAC flying boats roaring in low over their house as they came in to land on the dam. Irene, her brother Johnnie, her sister Anne and younger brother Peter all went to the local school which was in School Street. She remembers Mr. Wigget, Mr. Schoeman and much later Mr. Fourie who ran and taught at the school. Sometimes there were not many children in the school and her father jokingly said that there were only five children at the school and three of them were his. While the dam wall was being raised the first time, the contractors children filled the school making teaching there really worthwhile. When still small she remembers Al Debbo and Frikkie Burgers came to entertain the people at the Water Affairs hall. This was also the venue for regular bioscope shows. There used to be dancing at the Vaaldam hotel on Saturday nights and young Peter O'Grady was the lead
Above: Irene and her husband Hennie Kriek. Far left: Vaaldam Motors and the hand operated petrol pump om the corner of Main Street and Oranjeville Road. It had snowed that day. Left: Irene's brother, Johnnie, next to the hand operated petrol pump.
guitarist. followed by Dr. Carden and then Drs. Frank and Elize Gunn At first there was no electricity. The railway bus before Drs. Burger and Hanekom moved in to the new travelled from Vereeniging via Viljoensdrift to Deneysville building built by the municipality. and on to Oranjeville once a week. In the early days there was In 1958 Irene O'Grady became the telephonist when the only the Vaaldam Hotel, the old corrugated post office near the telephone system still consisted of party lines with crank entrance to Water Affairs across the road from Dr. handle telephones. The exchange closed at 9pm and so did the Hutchinson's house which is now a B&B, Stone Cottage. Then police station. There was no after-hour communication or there was a corrugated iron building which was the police crime. She became post mistress in 1960 and held that position station, also at Water Affairs, and the Deneysville Supply until 1963. Stores The original owner was a Mr. Meyerowitz who sold it In 1964 there was a devastating tornado one evening to a Mr. Kublin and then last owner was Mr. Trapido. Of which caused a great deal of damage all around the town. course there was Vaaldam Motors (later Deneysville Service After leaving Deneysville she remarried and has now Station) and the Village Management Board which was in the returned to the town with her husband Hennie Kriek who grew building which is next to the N.G. Kerk. up on a farm along the Viljoensdrift - Deneysville road. The doctors that practised here were Dr. Hutchinson,
17 The original drawings of Deneysville township
Harry Coetzee, once mayor of Deneysville, now living in junction, one would turn left into Riverside Drive or right into Howick, acquired an old map of the town, headed 'Township Union Avenue. of Deneysville District Heilbron, OFS on Portion of farms Plein Street running parallel to Main became another Witpoort No. 743 and Wilhelmena No. 1175'. It was surprising Main Street between Park and Golf (now Johnson). The area to to find that many street names had changed. Now we know the the west of this street, between Golf and Park Street all the way origin of one remaining, namely, Wilhelmina, although its to West was a plot 740 - reserved for future development. continuation is now Horace Street. Travelling along Oranjeville Road one had Liberty Street to the Travelling down Main, the second street on the left, Pier, right, then the crossing of Wilhelmina Road (after one of the is just one block long. This used to stretch all the way to Water original stand names) which, to the left has now been renamed Affairs and the then Imperial Airways flying boat Jetty. A few Horace. Greenman Street is perhaps a corruption of the years ago, Deneysville Aquatic Club had to purchase a still original developers, Greinamn Brothers. existing portion in front of their property to ensure access to Erven designated ADMINISTRATIVE included 14 the water. stands on both sides of the Main and Regatta (now The road behind DAC, Parr St., was called Twist. Voortrekker), the triangle bordered by Henley, Port and Main, Following perhaps Johannesburg street names, we had a Mooi a section between School and Mooi (now Bendet) and Henley Street, it is now Bendet. In the past you would turn left before and another around the Koppie along Hospital and Main to the clinic into Regatta Street, now Voortrekker. Pity the town opposite the present municipal offices. lost that one. Seems the previous government encouraged Where DAC stands today was Private open Space and every town to rename one of their streets after these pioneers. PUBLIC PLACES included the caravan park continuing across Travelling south along the foreshore there once was Main including where all the shops now are and the ground Riverside Drive, most of it is now under water, which became where the Municipal buildings now are. Union Avenue at the intersection of Island and fed into Golf Hotel sites were earmarked at the old hotel site next to Avenue, which is now Ross. The present Union is a new road DAC and other properties now under water at the end of Wall which cuts through a then Private Space, a proposed golf Street. course. Rumour has it that the Sumners wheedled this property Business sites were to be found on McKenzie Road from the then Village Management Board and built the Castle around and down Handel Street, just the three little stands at and cottages, including the 'gas cottages', which is now the fork of Main and Oranjeville Road, where the Garage is Sausilito, and the LDYC property. and the CBD between Wall and Island. The old township plan shows that if one turned into Island Street from Main the cross streets were in this order, First published in Deneysville News January 2002.Volume 2, Plein Street, Park Avenue (now van der Merwe), Lakeview No. Avenue (now Johnson), Wendy Avenue, Golf Avenue (now Ross), Health Avenue (now Waverley) and the last street, a T-
The O'Grady family moved down to Deneysville in South Africa from Zambia in 1943. John Redmond O'Grady, better known to all as Paddy, started Vaal Dam Motors on the corner of Main Street and Oranjeville Road. He Had a petrol pump and repaired, not only motor vehicles, but most anything including the roller mills housed in the building nearby, Brentwood Lodge today. She remembers the flying boats roaring low as the came down over the house to land on the dam. Irene, the eldest daughter, and her brother and sister, who were born later went to the local school which was the old building in School Street. First it was Mr. Wiggit who taught there, then a Mr. Schoeman and later Wynand Fourie. There were not many children at the school and O'Grady used to jokingly say that there were only five and three of them were his. When the dam wall was later raised for the first time the children of the contractors made teaching really worth while. In those earlier days there was the hotel, the O'Grady's hose and business, the old post office, a corrugated iron building at the entrance to Water Affairs in front of the Hutchinson property and the old police station. Along the then main entrance road there was the Deneysville Supply Store which was originally owned by Margerovitch, then Kullen and finally by Trepido. The Village Management Board was housed in the building which is next to the present NG Kerk on the corner of their property. There was no electricity and the railway bus travelled along a dirt road from Vereeniging to Deneysville and on to Oranjeville. The O'Grady's bought their meat in Oranjeville and the bus used to deliver it in Deneysville on its return trip to Vereeniging. In about 1964 there was a devastating tornado which struck Deneysville causing a great deal of damage. In 1958 Irene O'Grady joined the local post office as a telephonist. They were still party lines in those days and the system closed down after nine in the evening, the police station closed too. There was no crime after hours. By 1963 she was post mistress. Her musical brother played for the band at the local hotel. She remembers a big event when Frikkie Burgers an Al Debbo came to play at the Water Affairs Hall. There were regular bioscope shows at the hall. After leaving she remarried and returned to Deneysville. Her husband, Hendrik Kriek, grew up on a farm along the Vereeniging road.
18 The history of the flying boats at Vaaldam
horsepower they could accommodate 44 passengers.
On the 14th April, 1948 BOAC's new flying boat terminal was opened at Southampton Docks and Solent G-AHIN was named Southampton by the Mayoress and soon afterwards left on a proving flight to Vaaldam with a party of journalists and travel agents. The first commercial service, replacing the Yorks on the Springbok Route, was introduced on May 4, 1948 flown by G-AHIT Severn.’The route was Southampton - Augusta - Cairo - Luxor - Khartoum - Port Bell - Victoria Falls - Vaaldam taking four and a half days.
Though they became famous for their luxurious and incident Two C-Class fling boats of Imperial Airways, Corilonus and free travel, their reign was brief. On November 10, 1950 G- Cambria, moored at Southampton. AHIO Somerset left Berth 50 at Southampton on the last Photograph courtesy 'Flying Into the Future' a pictorial southbound flight bringing a most wonderful era to an end. history of Shorts by Michael Donne. The flying boat crews founded Lake Deneys Yacht Club and After 1933 British Imperial Airlines was committed to carry their company's Speedbird logo graces the club burgee. The mail to destinations in the British Empire including South Club committee boat is of course named Speedbird and the Africa. The first route using land planes was London via Cairo mark layer, Speedchick to Cape Town.
The foundations of the terminal building, slipway and part of A survey for an African airline route was completed by Sir the jetty can still be seen at Water Affairs when the dam is Alan Cobham in 1928 flying a Short Singapore flying boat. In level is low. 1931 he undertook another survey, formally on behalf of
Imperial Airways, using an S-11 Valetta, a three engined BIBLIOGRAPHY monoplane. 'Deneysville News'
'Flying Into the Future', a pictorial history of Shorts by Later an order was placed with Short Brothers for flying boats. Michael Donne Designated the S-23 or C-Class boats (their name all 'S.A. Flyer magazine' beginning with C), Imperial Airways called them "Imperial 'Seaplanes of the world' written by Bill Yenne and published Flying Boats", but the popular name was "Empire Flying by O.G. Publishing Inc. Boats".
Canopus was the first off the production line and it made its initial flight on July 4th, 1936. The Empire Airmail Scheme was officially inaugurated in June 1937 when 3,500 lbs. of mail was delivered to Durban South Africa. The 88-foot long plane was powered by four 290 horsepower 9 cylinder rotary Bristol Pegasus XC engines. It had a cruising range of 760 miles and carried a crew of 4 and 24 passengers.
From 1938 to 1940 the planes took off from Southampton, landing and refuelling at Marseilles, Rome, Brindisi, Athens, Alexandria, Cairo, Khartoum, Juba,, Kisumu, Mombasa, Dar- es-Salaam, Beira and Lourenco Marques in Mozambique to Durban. Many of the Empire flying-boats remained in service until 1947.
The Sunderland was developed by Short Brothers as a wartime Passengers disembark from a BOAC Solent, to be ferried to long range bomber. The Sandringham Mk. I made its debut in the old hotel in Deneysville Vaaldam in 1948. Photograph 1945 as a direct conversion for commercial transport. Imperial courtesy of the South African Railway Museum. The Airways now became British Overseas Airways and ordered photograph was taken by the brother of Wim Hoek, a one time 12 Short S.45 aircraft known as the Solent. Powered by four resident of Deneysville. Bristol Hercules 14-cylinder radial engines rated at 1,690
19 The Flying Boats One of the phenomena of this memorable decade was the advancement of aviation accelerated by the war. When the 40's began, airliners took 4½ days to get to South Africa and although it still took three days by the end of the decade, flying was infinitely more comfortable. The most popular way of flying was with the "C Class" Empire flying boat (similar to the Sunderland), which British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) had in service on the 'Springbok run' from 1937. Sadly in a way, BOAC replaced them with the faster Avro York, which SAA was already flying between Johannesburg and London. Many seasoned travellers missed these "boats". Not a few still talk about them as the best way to fly. They used to take off from the Solent in the English Channel between the One of the last Solents built with the improved v-struts on the Isle of Wight and the mainland and land at such exotic places floats, on a mooring near Groot Eiland. as Cairo and Khartoum, on Lake Victoria and on the Zambezi at Livingston. During flights, which were at a low enough altitude, for passengers to get a good view of the Nile and the With the lack of good landing facilities across Africa, wild African landscape, the purser would lay out a cold buffet British Imperial Airways used the S.23 Empire Class flying on a bench. Dinner would be "ashore" in a good hotel while boat built by Short Brothers to fly passengers and mail to the great silver craft spent the night riding at anchor under the South Africa using waterways to land and refuel. The plane African moon. was also known as the 'C-Class' as all their given names began Johannesburg-bound passengers would disembark at with the letter 'C'. CANOPUS was the first. They remained in Deneysville, near the Vaaldam wall, an hour's bus journey service until 1947. The wartime Sunderland was developed from town. from this plane. Later a further development, the Solent, was Jan Smuts airport, although not opened until 1953, was used on the South African route landing on Vaaldam until officially named on December 3 1947 at a ceremony at the 1950, when they were replaced with land planes. site Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Aliment unveiled Syd Gargett, who built the Vivacity 20 in Deneysville, a stone which bore the inscription "In tribute to the Prime the first production keelboat, arrived in this country in one of Minister of the Union of South Africa, Field Marshall the these flying boats. Rusty Rossiter, the last station commander, Right Honourable J. C. Smuts, OM, CH, DTD". The tribute lived in Deneysville. Nuel Joubert, who lived here in the was because many believed that Jan Smuts, by his frequent nineties, piloted them. The father of Bill Eardley, a resident, use of aircraft, had encouraged its acceptance by the public. was also a flying boat pilot. The flying boat crews founded Lake Deneys Yacht Club This article was found on a photostat from some unknown and their company's Speedbird logo graces the club burgee. publication, highlighting significant events of each decade in our The Club committee boat is of course named Speedbird and area. Should anyone have, or know the source we would like to hear the mark layer, Speedchick. from you. You can contact Julien Girard at (016) 371 1401. Besides Deneysville News possibly finding a little more history we could then credit the publication.
The Flying boats took off from the Solent in the English Channel between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. They landed at Cairo and Khartoum, Lake Victoria and Livingstone on the Zambesi The first flying boat was the S23 Empire Class "Canopus' which flew on July 4th 1936. It had a crew of 5 and 24 passengers. Its range was 700 miles. Canopus, Clio and Calypso flew to SA. The 'Jungle Junction' where the Solents landed on the Zambezi above the Victoria Falls shows the route as: Southampton - Augusta in Sicily - Alexandria - Khartoum - Portobell - Victoria Falls - Johannesburg (Vaal Dam). On the southern Canopus The first C-Class flying boat and the first to fly to flight Luxor was used instead of Alexandria. South Africa, on moorings at Southampton.
During the war the engineering base for the flying boats "horseshoe route" was in Durban. 21 flying boats were rebuilt once a year and one engine was rebuilt a day. The route curved from Durban, Mozambique through East and Central Africa to Khartoum and Cairo through Palestine, Iraueq, the Persian Gulf, India Burma, Siam and Singapore to Australia.
20 The Short Empire Flying Boats
This extract is from the book' Seaplanes of the world' written by Bill Yenne and published by O.G. Publishing Inc. With the emergence of practical international and intercontinental airline services, there was an obvious need to develop air routes to connect London with the Empire. In 1933, British Imperial Airlines head S.A. Dismore had convinced the British Government that it could make the bold promise to carry mail throughout the Empire - or at least to Southern Africa, India, Singapore and Australia - by air for surface postage rates. Known as the Empire Airmail Scheme, Canopus was the first S.23 Empire flying boat and first to fly this plan led to a contract to establish such a service, and to South Africa.Photograph from the author's collection. British Imperial Airways placed its order with Short Brothers "Seaplanes of the world by Bill Yenne, published by O.G. for 28 of their big, untried, aircraft. Publishing Inc. distributed by First Glance Books, Inc. Canopus, the first S.23 Empire class boat made its initial which provided greater range. Powered by Bristol IV Hercules flight on July 4th, 1936 and the Empire Airmail Scheme was engines, the S.26 "G-Class" boats had the longest range of the officially inaugurated in June 1937 when 3,500 lbs. of mail Empire flying boats, and were intended specifically for the was delivered to South Africa. North Atlantic. The S.23 measured 88 feet in length, 31 feet 9.75 inches During World War II, several Empire flying boats were high, and had a wingspan of 114 feet, it weighed 40,500 commandeered by the Royal Air Force, but most continued pounds fully loaded and fuelled. It was powered by four with British Overseas Airways, flying dangerous air routes Bristol Pegasus XC nine-cylinder radial engines each rated at between Britain and Gibraltar, through the Mediterranean and 920 horsepower, which in turn provided a cruising speed of into Asia. 164 mph. It had a service ceiling of 20,000 feet and its range Many of the Empire boats would remain in service until was 760 miles. It carried a crew of 5 accommodating 24 1947. After the success of the Short Sunderland as a wartime passengers. long-range patrol bomber, it was obvious to Short Brothers
that a version of it should be proposed as a post-war
commercial transport. Anxious to reopen the old Empire
flying boat routes BOAC agreed with the proposal.
The first Sandringham Mk. I, a direct conversion of the
Sunderland Mk.V, made its debut in November 1945. The
Short S.45 Solent was a similar commercial aircraft derived
from the Short Seaford, originally designated Sunderland
Mk.IV. Similar to the Solent it had a higher gross weight and
could accommodate up to 44 passengers. It was powered by
four Bristol Hercules 637 14-cylinder radials; each rated at
1,690 horsepower.
BOAC bought 12 for use on its London to Vaaldam
route. They served only from 1948 to 1950, however, before
being replaced by land-planes.
A Solent coming in to land at Vaaldam. Watercolour painting by Julien Girard The S.23s were also known as "C-Class" flying boats, because each was given a name beginning with the letter "C". The first ship was Canopus. British Imperial staged its flights through a hub at Alexandria in Egypt, with the S.23's known as Clio and Calypso flying the mail to and from Southampton. An aircraft named Centurion served South Africa, while Calypso continued east to India and beyond. Meanwhile, the longer- range Caledonia was used to open a service to New York by way of Newfoundland. In 1938, the Cambria was experimentally refuelled in flight as a means of extending its range. British Imperial Airways (which became British Overseas Airways before World War II) took delivery of 28 Empire Class boats and Quantas purchased three. There were 11 of the improved S.30 produced before the war. These were Southampton a BOAC Solent takes off from Vaaldam, equipped with Bristol Perseus XIIc sleeve-valve engines, returning to Britain after its first flight to South Africa. 21 Solents The Solent of British Overseas Airways Corporation evolved from the S-45 Seaford (originally designated the Sunderland Mark IV), which flew on 30th August 1944. At first intended for the RAF, which lost interest in it, the Seaford was adopted by BOAC for post-war flying-boat operations under the name Solent. BOAC and other airlines gave up flying-boat operations on 10 November 1950 (its last operation being a Solent fight from Johannesburg). FLYING INTO THE FUTURE. by Michael Donne The BOAC Solent G-AHIN 'Southampton'
"The last of the Solent batch, (Solent G-AHIY Southsea), launched on 9th April, 1948, was the last new aircraft to be built at Rochester, whose gates were to close in the following July. On the 14th April, 1948, when Lord Nathan, Minister of Civil Aviation, performed the official opening of B.O.A.C.'s new flying boat terminal at Berth 50, Southampton Docks, G-AHIN was ceremonially named 'Southampton" by the Mayoress of Southampton and soon afterwards left on a proving flight over the route to Vaaldam with a The BOAC Solent Southampton arrives at Vaaldam, party of journalists representing the world's press; the first national on its proving flight, amongst much pomp and service commenced on the 4th May 1948 and was flown by ceremony. Severn."
Sunderlands
The South African Air Force used the Sunderland until replaced with the Shackleton in 1958. Originally called Sunderland IV, the Hercules-powered Solent saw only brief service with No. 201 Squadron. The Solent used on the BOAC run to South Africa was a development from this plane. "Sunderland Vs were first issued in February 1945 to Nos 228 and 461 Squadrons, both at Pembroke Dock, and proved to have a cruising duration of more than 15 hours, compared with the Mk III's average of 13.5 hours. In fact ML839 stayed up for 20 hours on test, and much later, in July 1948, one of the Sunderland Vs of No 35 Squadron S.A.A.F. at Congella, Durban, flew round the Union non-stop from Durban via Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Luderitz, Walvis Baai and Vaaldam back to Durban, a distance of 2,800 miles, on 2880 gallons of fuel in 19 hours 57 minutes."
Calcutta Class & Mayo Composite
"There was some flying boat activity in South Africa before the war such as the Calcutta Class and the Shorts Mayo composite. " Information in quotation marks from Alan McKnight, Public Relations, Shorts.
Another major development was the Short Mayo composite flying -boat Maia-Mercury, intended as an alternative to in- flight refuelling. The first joint flight was on 20th January 1938, and the first in-flight separation on 6 February. Flight trials conducted with Captain D.C.T. Bennett of Imperial Airways (later to be head of the wartime Pathfinder bomber force and then Chairman of British South American Airways) were successful. On one flight Mercury flew from Dundee, Scotland, to the Orange River in South Africa, a distance of 5,997.5 miles (9,652km) in 42 hours 5 minutes, setting a world long distance record for seaplanes. FLYING INTO THE FUTURE A pictorial history of Shorts by Michael Donne.
Designated the S-23 or C-Class boats (their names all The S-11 Valetta, a three-engined passenger monoplane beginning with C), Imperial Airways called them "Imperial was used by Sir lan Cobham in 1931 on a second survey Flying Boats"; but the popular name was "Empire Flying flight of the Nile and Central Africa, fomally on behalf of Boats". Imperial Airways. FLYING INTO THE FUTURE. FLYING INTO THE FUTURE.
22 The BOAC era of flying boats Reproduced from S.A. Flyer magazine
forced landing near Vaal Dam but struck a rock, collapsing Flying boat training was initiated at Vaal Dam in January 1941 the undercarriage. In BOAC documents it is referred to only and G-ADHL ‘Canopus’ was the first aircraft to be used there. by the constructors number, 2152. Perhaps it was being Crews were billeted in the old Deneysville Hotel. The town of operated in RAF marks prior to civil registration. It was sent Deneysville was only established in 1936 during the to 5AD, Germiston for repair who recommended it be construction of the Vaal Dam which was completed in 1938 reduced to spares. It was then shipped to Cairo on November and was named after the then Minister of Water Affairs, 7, 1943 where it seems to have remained stored. It next Deneys Reitz, whose father had once been the President of the turned up in the early post war period with the Spanish Air Orange Free State Republic. Force becoming N9930F with Minnesota Airmotive in 1955 Near to Deneysville was 22 Air School at Vereeniging, which and then to Field Air in New Zealand as ZK-BUV in 1958 was a Service Flying Training School, operating Harts, Hart where it was converted to an aerial top dresser and Trainers, Hinds and Audaxes (collectively known as Hart survived until at least 1987! Variants). 22AS urgently need a machine gun range and Reports in July 1943 indicated that another Lodestar, EW982 bombing range and on December 26, 1940 initiated proposal to (2153) was also in use at Deneysville. It was later given the establish this at Vaal Dam. The Dept of Health turned down the civil registration, G-AGJH ‘Lake Tana’. It was returned to bombing range on the grounds that the explosive residue would the RAF as EW982 in December 1947 at Kasfareet. Reports poison the water so an alternative range was established on the are sketchy but it either went to Spain or was broken up on farm ‘Bankfontein’. site. Next, the Director of Irrigation and Minister of Lands objected In May 1944 two SAAF Avro Ansons 4280 and 4379 were to the machine gun range due to the bird sanctuary on the transferred to BOAC on loan at Deneysville for training. island. However, due to the urgency of the situation and the fact that there was a war on, a compromise was reached and the 4280 went to 47 Air School in June and the other one to 43 range was completed on May 22, 1942. AS in October. Anson 4263 arrived in October but ground looped on landing collapsing the undercarriage on November In 1942 a training exercise was flown in a C-Class boat to 16 and was returned to the SAAF being replaced by 4547, Hartbeespoort Dam by Chief Flying Boat Marine Instructor, which arrived on November 28. It departed on May 4, 1945 Capt. EM Gurns and regular training flights were made there and was replaced by 4585 the next day remaining with after this, in case an alternative to Vaal Dam were ever needed BOAC until April 26, 1946. It was sold for scrap on July 24, in bad weather. 1947. It was also decided to establish a landplane training school at Several Airspeed Oxfords are also known to have been Deneysville Auxiliary Landing Ground. Exactly when this loaned by the SAAF. The first is quoted as 3552 but was started is not known but DAW Drawing no 20/115 dated probably an error for 3352 (ex AS864) which flew with November 24, 1942 shows the improvements to be made to the BOAC from August 20, 144 to November 29, 1945. Next to airfield which included a Bellman Hangar, stores building, arrive was 3662 (BG441) from 26AS which was there from garage, dining hall and kitchen plus various huts and ablutions. August 26, 1944 to February 14, 1946 and finally 3583 These buildings were all situated close to the Heilbron - Vaal (BG365) a Standard Beam Approach Oxford painted with Dam road. diagonal green stripes and was used from November 25, 22 Air School was tasked to give the BOAC unit assistance and 1945 to February 14, 1946 going then to 22AS and then for provided various vehicles for the unit’s use including a Ford 1 scrapping on October 16, 1947. Ton LDV, two Ford 3 Ton troop carriers, two Ford 3 Ton On a nautical note, the semi-cabin cruiser ‘Sarie’ which was TSGS vehicles, a 3/4 ton Ford LDV, a Chev ambulance and in use by the SAAF at Hartbeesport Dam as a crash boat was a Farmall tractor. transferred to Vaal Dam with its crew a coxswain, Sgt PA BOAC was one of the largest operators of the Lockheed Tomlinson and Fitter Marine Sgt JJ Orton to act as range Lodestar twin-engined transport and this was the main type crash boat when air firing was taking place from 22AS which used at Deneysville, although details of when the first one was was at this stage using Harvards. The crew was billeted at the used there, remain sketchy. Some were however, delivered to quarters at Deneysville and ate in the hotel. Wingfield for assembly at least eight being assembled there (G- The flying boat crews stayed over at the old Deneysville AGBP - GBW). The type was widely used in East Africa and Hotel. One of the most famous of the BOAC captains, North Africa for internal services and examples are recorded as Captain O.P. Jones, an Englishman with a ‘Captain Kettle’ visiting Durban on numerous occasions between September beard struck up a friendship with a local farmer, a Mr 1941 and December 1942 (examples being G-AGBU which Helgard Muller who spoke no English (and OP Jones of brought the Deputy Director General of BOAC to Durban on course did not speak Afrikaans). He nevertheless enjoyed August 29, 1942 and G-AGBW which arrived there the visits to the farm. on September 3, 1941). On January 15, 1945 the shuttle to and from Durban ceased
On July 16, 1943, Lodestar EW981 (c/n 2152) carried out a
23 as SA Airways had secured sufficient Lodestars back from the service, was launched on November 11, 1946. Registered as G- SAAF to resume limited internal services including a daily AHIL ‘RMA Salisbury’ it made its first flight on December 1. Durban return flight. All 15 Solents owned by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and leased to BOAC. Flying Boat Operations were transferred from In addition to the C Class boats which had a wingspan of 114ft Poole back to Southhampton to a new flying boat terminal at and length of 88ft, shorts also built a much larger version Berth 50 which was opened by Lord Nathan, the Minister of known as the S.26 G Class. This was powered by four Bristol Civil Aviation on April 14, 1948. Hercules IV (or later XIV) of 1 380hp and had a wingspan of 134ft 4 inches and length of 101ft 4 inches. Its general At this time BOAC/SAA inaugurated weekly cargo flights from configuration and appearance were however similar to the C. London to Palmietfontein using Lancastrians but the service Class. Only three were built and by 1944 only one survived, G- was a financial disaster and was suspended on August 12 AFCI ‘Golden Hind’. It was flown to Durban in August 1944 having accumulated a loss of £60 000. for maintenance after which it operated between Mombasa, Seychelles and Ceylon. It servived until May 1954 when it sunk SAA had replaced the Yorks with Douglas DC-4’s on the in a storm while under tow to Hamble. At the time it is thought Springbok service and BOAC had planned to introduce the to have been the largest aircraft to visit South Africa. Avro Tudor but the latter suffered numerous problems resulting in the aircraft never operating with BOAC and a bitter dispute In 1944 a commission appointed by Mr. Sturrock declared that arising between Avros and the Corporation. Durban Bay was unsuitable for future flying boat operations and that Vaal Dam was much more suitable. A considerable amount On March 10, 1948 Solent G-AHIV ‘Salcombe’ arrived at Vaal of planning had been taking place as a result of International Dam on the proving flight from Southampton and was followed conferences held in Chicago, Cape Town and elsewhere and by a special flight for the press on May 1, flown by G-AHIN there was a swing towards the operation of landplanes for the ‘Southampton’ piloted by Capt. E ‘Teddy’ Rotheram. He was post war services. one of BOAC‘s more experienced captains having joined Imperial Airways in 1935 and given his command in 1938. In the interim the Horseshoe service continued, having suffered interruptions and the loss of several flying boats due to Japanese The first commercial service was introduced on May 4, 1948 attacks in South East Asia. flown by G-AHIT ‘Severn’. The route was Southampton - Augusta - Cairo - Luxor - Khartoum - Port Bell - Victoria Falls Meanwhile Palmietfontein south of Alberton, had been - Vaal Dam in 4 1/2 days. The Solent wingtip floats were established as an interim International Airport for similar to the Sunderland being wire-braced but after problems Johannesburg. BOAC and SAA set up the joint Springbok were experienced with floats detaching, they were withdrawn service to London (using Hurn airfield) at a cost of £167 per from service on 22 July 1948 and refitted with a V-strut support passenger (as opposed to £200 using the flying boat service). being re-introduced again in October. The first service was flown by Avro York G-AGNT ‘Mandalay’ flown by Capt. EF Palmer on November 10, 1945. On January 28, 1949 Capt. H.J. Rose took G-AHIS ‘Scapa’ into Hartbeespoort Dam, the first landing since WWII and it was In March 1946, Garth Trace who had served Imperial Airways designated as an alternate should Vaal Dam be closed by and BOAC well retired as the regional director of BOAC and weather. joined the National Transport Commission as the civil aviation representative where he remained until going back into aviation Though they became famous for their luxurious and incident insurance in 1949. free travel, their reign was brief. On November 10, 1950 G- AHIO ‘Somerset’ left Berth 50 at Southampton on the last On May 28, 1946 a Cairo - UK shuttle was introduced to link southbound flight bringing a most wonderful era to an end. up with the Horseshoe route and on June 4, Heathrow (which had been named London Airport on March 25) replaced Hurn as On November 17, 1950, the Handley Page Hermes 4 was the UK terminal for landplanes. The engineering facility at introduced with G-ALDR ‘Herodotus’ making the first service Durban was deactivated and on October 4, 1946, 72 ground to Palmietfontein. The following year NOTAM 53 of 1951 engineers were paid off. A sad loss was G-ADHL ‘Canopus’ the announced the cancellation of the aerodrome license for Vaal first of the C-Class boats which finally left Durban piloted by Dam. Capt. H.L. Fry on October 17. The last India - Cairo sector was Since then few large flying boats have been seen in South flown by G-ADUW ‘Castor’ Capt. JG Pascoe on January 13, African skies apart from the SAAF Sunderlands which lasted 1947 and on March 2 the Cairo service finally ceased, G- until 1957. Sadly, little from the flying boat era has been ADHM ‘Caledonia’ piloted by Capt. Peter Horne being the last preserved and one has to go to the UK, USA or New Zealand to aircraft to leave on March 12. see examples of the Sunderland or Solent. Our only link, which remains, is the amphibian Catalina that remains parked at Rand Despite an effort by a local consortium to procure a number of Airport, the last of the succession of Catalinas, which have the C-Class boats, they were all flown home and scrapped. come and gone from our skies. It remains to be seen whether Sadly none were kept for posterity. There was much opposition one of our very few preservation groups will come forward and in Durban to the Minister’s announcement that a new flying save this aeroplane for the future boat service would be introduced later, but using Vaal Dam as the terminus.
The first of the new boats, the Short Solent, based on the RAF Seaford, (a successor to the Sunderland) which was not put into
24 A flight across Africa on a flying boat during the war by Clare Read
Reproduced from an article wrtitten for the Deneysville News by Clare Read , a resident
There have been numerous articles, paragraphs and snippets over the past few years - here as elsewhere, locally and nationally - recounting the long service role played by the Empire Flying Boats, as they were commonly called, in speeding up mail and passengers between Britain and South Africa. What were the figures? Roughly down from a fortnight to four or five days. And seventy years ago this was truly a remarkable advance. May I add a personal touch? I was lucky enough to do the trip, in wartime. We set off from Durban. And this was an astounding event for aircrew trained on land planes. You scarcely noticed as you pulled away. But as you gathered speed, at between, say thirty and eighty miles per hour (I never saw the cockpit) the bow-wave built up to the level of the cabin windows - alarming! - until, with perceptible effort (to me, anyway) and an almighty whooosh!, the water fell away from the porthole by your seat, the craft lurched gratefully forward - and you were skimming along and then away from the water. There was quite a bit of sound and fury all around. But the immense solidity of flying-boat construction by Short Brothers gave you a wonderful ride. We then climbed with dignified grace and power to cruising altitude. What was it? Probably between five and eight thousand feet. And there we sailed along, hour after hour, at roughly the speed of a well-maintained mid-range sedan along one of today's freeways. Sometimes less. The beauty of it all was that it was not only perfectly cool, but that we thundered along, reassured by those wonderful Bristol engines, at a height that permitted you to see Africa as you should from South to North: leisurely, at low level, in a bit of detail, making your way through clouds with the utmost calm and confidence. And then the steady throttle- back told you that you must have done about 500 miles or so and that another of Africa's great stretches of inland water awaited you. Landing was not a touchdown as experienced today on a runway. You skimmed along, then suddenly, as you really made acquaintance with the water, that steady pressure on the hull slowed you at once, but greatly. The water you needed so much cushioned you like a headlong dive into a featherbed; and, as the flood rushed up again to your porthole and then down again, you had arrived. You travelled in some luxury. Minimum refreshments en route, however. But upon landing you met Africa's tremendous heat, tempered with a cold beer, punkahs and Indian waiters. Sometimes you flew on to the next lakeside hotel or city. The Kisumu Sailing Club was a bit of Europe transplanted to the tropics - dinghies, green turf and everything else. How I felt like a sail. In Khartoum I caught a West End comedy. What were the greatest sights from our unequalled, low-level vantage point? The first was the red-black baked wilderness of Central Africa's Abyssinian mountainous regions, abandoned and desolate from the air. And, somewhat later, the unparalleled sight from the desert wastes split in two by an unbelievably green ribbon ahead of us ... and out of sight. The Nile valley - greenest of green things. Every shade and tint imaginable through to emerald. Well, we at least knew where we were. The navigator had got it right. How could he go wrong? There'd be Khartoum, then the distant Mediterranean. Egypt. It was all over, of course. I only wish I could remember more to share with you. But I've never been one for a diary. Perhaps just as well; one shouldn't reflect too much on the past, eh?. Nevertheless, this brief, self-indulgent dip into my early days has given me immense pleasure to set down. Postscript. When did the change from olde-tyme air travel to sardine-can modern jet take place? Well, much later than you think - or remember! Post-war DC's were certainly more efficient. They were also more uncomfortable. And for quite a while they did little more than shave a day or so off the pre-war adventure. But nothing since those days has equalled the excitement of the Flying Boat. If you cast an eye over last month's column you may have wondered what your scribe - younger and sillier- was doing in an Empire flying boat travelling Africa South to North. Simple. He had completed a Maritime Navigation course - turn right for Cape Town, left to Durban - at George. Now, how to get me to the Near East? I was lucky. Provided with a Portuguese passport, identifying me as a civilian - a hairdresser, nogal! - I was offered a (wartime) luxury lift in the magnificent C-Class Flying Boat. Why the hairdresser ID? We would be landing at Beira. Perhaps. Nothing is quite certain in wartime. And neutral countries went by the book whenever they could. Both sides did it. Both sides knew the form. So for 36 hours I was a hairdresser: a small price to pay for the days to follow.
25
DENEYSVILLE 1970
The entrance to the town consisted of Omega on the right and the garage on the left, not the posh building that stands there now, and Lucky's Cafe round the corner. That's all. Except for the old O'Grady building on the comer of Main and OranjeviIle which housed, shelf after shelf, old car engines, gear boxes and parts. Along McKenzie, where Brentwood Lodge now is, there was a mill and a second hand sacks warehouse. (Use a Yiddish accent and you get the 'sex shop'.) The Post Office was on the right and the Council Offices were opposite, now the 'NGK Jeugsaal. It was run by Mrs. Anne Wood and an assistant, that's all, and very efficiently too. Oom Davie Malan, the father of Pieter and August, ran the Parks Department. He and his few handlangers kept the town spic and span, even dug trenches for the new waterpipes in record time. He had his way with the workers. One person who could tell us a great deal about our town's history. The CBD consisted of E.I. Marine, builders of the Vivacity 20 and 24, the Jaguar and later, the Thetas and a Lavranos 40. Sid Gargett owned the business and son in law, Ronnie Stewart ran it. Later it became the Nu Boatyard. They had another building in Wall Street. It was mainly a storeroom. Arthur Wilson, the once Mayor and local electrician used it as his licensed premises. The front was the Boatique, 'Inch' Schrauwen's shop for boating types. He only sold rope at discount prices, chemical toilets, ex airway's life jackets, things sailing clubs could give away as prizes and tackies. The last was a big seller during the week for the few hours he opened. He first organised bulk deliveries of anthracite and his foresight ensured that we got a bowling green. The building on the comer of Island and Johnson was first a hardware shop then a sort of Spar run by the Pieter Malan family, and later, for a short while, Sleepers, a restaurant. At the end of Island was Triton, a 'marina' and boatyard. It was here that Fred Raas developed the Mistral. He also a designed thirty footer, the Villain; his first boat was called Rascal, some say a telling name. Lake Deneys Yacht Club had just left the Triton premises after a short and unhappy stay, after purchasing their present ground from the Sumners. Triton Sailing Club was started here. After all their boats were attached by the Sheriff for the second time (some mix up with Triton, the business), they moved to Vaal Marina and became Pennant Nine Yacht, the friendly club. DAC was firmly established with Eric Hutcheons as commodore and his merry men Palmer, Ken Brown, a Koen or two, Dunn an du Plessis all mainly power boaters. Gerhard van den Bergh, John Ainslie, George Wiehahn were members with the first Hunters on the Dam and Les Wright had a Squib. Henry Vink, the boat builder occupied the stone house next to DAC. This was the birthplace of the Deneysville Aquatic Club with Radcliff and Hutch's gang. Later the Martins, father and daughter repaired boats here before he went to the other side of the dam and built the Debonair, a variation of the Mistral. Then Nick Kloosterhuis moved in and repaired boats and served teas. Hans van der Willik appeared on the scene and built his house at the end of Wall Street. The boating operations were all at loggerheads, LDYC and DAC did not particularly like Triton and the clubs were in constant competition. Garget of E I Marine was a member of LDYC, so they got on well. The road to Sasolburg was still dirt, so Vereeniging was the favoured shopping town. The Castle was there, run by Joe and Bella. Saturday nights were movie nights, mainly Wild West flicks. Weekend teas were the order of the day. The telephones were still hand cranked on party lines. My ring two shorts and two longs, my favourite, same as on the farm. The exchange was closed from 6 pm to 6 am. The police station too, could not be contacted. Paying a little extra, you could have a nightline. The complicated system of hundreds of plugs and wires at the exchange ensured that the operator would get it wrong. From 5 pm on, the exchange would test ring all the nightlines. It was actually a most useful system. If you went visiting, they usually heard you making the date. Incoming calls were often diverted to your new venue. Cheaper than a cell phone. It was also a news centre. The favoured were brought up to date on all the latest 'aggy' by the exchange operator.
The mini-skirt and Vaaldam The Rev. Arthur Sexby ordered 5 women out of his Johannesburg Church in April 1969 - because they were wearing mini-skirts. "This is my own private war ," he said. "If it comes to a last resort my congregation will have to choose between me and mini-skirts.'
It was, in fact, a very public war. Rev Sexby became joint leader of the National Association for Morality and Welfare, formed expressly to 'crush the evils of the mini'. His fellow campaigner was Gert Yssel, the man who claimed that 'until the shameful parts of women are covered, I am convinced that God will not fill the Vaal Dam'.
Quoted from South Africa's Yesterdays published by The Reader's Digest
26 Die NG Gemeente Deneysville deur Ds. C.H.T. Schiel Die NG Gemeente Deneysville het sy tien jarige bestaan gevier in Junie 1980. Alhoewel die NG Kerk al hier werksaam was van voor 1970, het die gemeente Deneysville, net egter eers formeel selfstandig begin bestaan op 17 Junie 2004. Die NG gemeente was eers deel van Oranjeville en moes daar heen ry om eredienste by te woon. Dit was nie ‘n mooi grond pad nie. Oranjeville het in hulle buitewyke op Sondagmiddae dienste gehou. Vanweë die swak bywoning van hierdie dienste is dit gestaak en dienste op Deneysville begin. Sondagmiddae (in die somer was dit in die aande) is dienste in die ou skoolsaal in Skoolstraat gehou. Op Sondagaand 26 April 1970 word die kerksaal op Deneysville ingewy. Ds. Strumpher preek uit Psalm 26:8 “Here, ek het lief die woning van U huis en die woonplek van U eerlikheid.” 181 lidmate was teenwoordig. In 1979 word daar begin om ook die sakramente van doop en nagmaal op Deneysville te bedien. Die kerkraad van Oranjeville neem ook in hierdie jaar die besluit om voorsiening te maak vir ‘n afsonderlike bediening op Deneysville. In 1980 “verdeel” Oranjeville se kerkraad in twee wyksrade, te wete Oranjeville en Deneysville. Albei doen verslag aan die gesamentlike kerks-raadvergaderings te Oranjeville. Deneysville bestaan op hierdie stadium uit 4 dorpswyke, vier wyke by Waterwese en die Vaaldamplase. Op 12 1983 Februarie word proponent P.J. Oberholzer bevestig leraar om Deneysville te bedien. Hy vertrek weer in 1987 en word op 13 Junie opgevolg deur proponent C.H.T. Schiel. In die vroëe negentigs begin die gemeente ook met ‘n bybelstudie vir Engelse sprekendes. Hierdie versoek het gekom uit die Engelse deel van die gemeenskap. St Peters gemeente nooi in hierdie tyd ook jaarliks die ander gemeentes uit om deel te neem aan ‘n gesaamntlike Hemelvaartdiens te reël. Hierdie diens word huidiglik gereël deur die St Peters, Volle Evangeliese kerk en die NG kerk. ‘n Pragtige samewerking ontwikkel alhoe sterker tussen die plaaslike gemeentes. n 1993/1994 word voorbereidings getref vir die afstigting van Deneysville as selfstandige gemeente en was gestig op 17 Junie 1994. In 1995 word daar veranderinge aan die kerksaal aangebring. Die vooraansig word verander om o.a. te verhoed dat dit nie by die voorder inreën nie en ‘n konsistorie/kombuis en kantoor word aan die agterkant aangebou. Later word die jeuglokaal verander en uitgebrei en die Vrouediens skuif hulle kombuis daarheen. Die gemeente begin ook met werk in Vaalmarina en Mistybay. Enkele gesinne van Groenpunt begin met toestemming van Vaalpark (vroëer Viljoensdrif) gemeente ingeskakel by Deneysville. So groei die gemeente dan ook deur die genade van die Here vanaf 245 belydende lidmate in 1986 tot 373 in Mei 2004 (22 wyke). Ons dank die Here vir Sy genade en die groei wat hy gee.
Die NG Kerk in Deneysville wat in Mainstraat gebou was.
27 Lake Avenue Inn In the beginning the house on stand 536, that is 17 Lake Avenue, was conceived and built by Roy Hilligan, a Canadian, and one time Mr. Universe. A very large glass cabinet graced the entrance with the many trophies he had won. The property included a spa and gymnasium which was originally decorated with a life-size photograph of his lovely wife in the 'all together'. There was one of him too. The wood panelled pub in the house was named 'Camelot', perhaps a knightly pun. He built a few houses in the town including the 'Pink Flats', the present Lakeside View complex. They were naturalists and they and the kids enjoyed soaking in the warmth of the sun around the lovely swimming pool. Their guests included the evangelist Ray Macauley and a regular weekend visitor was Anneline Kriel, Miss South Africa at the time. A press photographer caught her lounging round the pool in less than a bikini and the pictures appeared on the back page of the Sunday Times, rocking the country and turning a spotlight on Deneysville.
Later, it seems, the government was not too happy to have these foreigners in the country and they moved to the states. At the auction, the property was bought from the bank by a Hennie van der Walt, a then relation, by marriage, to Thys Campher. The smart motorboat 'PLAYBOY' and Landrover were bought by Hans van der Willik, who had established Willik Marina, now named Anchor Creek.
During this period the house was rented to Ziggy and Deta, two Germans who leased gambling machines, mainly to South West African customers. They were called back up there to re-adjust them as the pay outs did not fall within the law at the time.
Di and Dave Dolley bought the house in 1990 for R196,000 and renovated it completely to start a restaurant and the first accommodation establishment in Deneysville, after the old hotel near DAC had closed down some years before. Di was experienced in this field, as her previous husband was a Mr. Therman of restauranting fame in Johannesburg. They named it Lake Avenue Inn. It soon became known for its excellent and homely ambience and excellent fare, comparable with the best in Johannesburg. It was the place to wine and dine.
As the Inn became popular they asked the Girards to start a B&B to take their overflow. So Rose Lodge came into being. To keep Dave occupied during the day they started Roots, the first garden service in the village.
They decided to move to the greener pastures of the Cape and acquire a hardware business. George Macauley, who had recently retired, and his wife Joan took on the challenge and kept up the high standard of the establishment.
In 2005 Andrea Flitcroft bought Lake Avenue Inn and ran it single handed until it was sold to John Boswell in 2007. He and Charmaine made extensive alterations ensuring, amongst other things, a proper sized kitchen and a wonderful lapa for an outdoor pub. Later extra rooms were added and they proudly created a motorbike museum, one of the few in the world.
28 Deneysville Castle Gordon Young The castle was built in 1963 on a 2.5-hectare plot with one of the finest waterfronts in Deneysville. It was designed as a unique restaurant to seat 400 people inside and outside including a roof beer-garden. It also housed the unique Al Sumner collection of medieval weapons and shields. "The Castle" was the inspiration of Alfred Sumner, who lived an arrows flight from Windsor Castle in England. It took three years to complete. "The Castle" was widely known, and was visited by weekend crowds of people, mainly from the Witwatersrand. Even today it is not uncommon for 30 to 50 cars to visit it over a weekend and gaze at the ruin. The castle in Deneysville as it was originally with its large During the week and long before the advent of TV, it swimming pool. was a popular evening meeting place for low cost meals and 16mm film shows and was a real Deneysville social club. The owners, the Sumner family, were devastated when in 1985 the then manager was involved in a sharp altercation with a young visitor who was expelled. That night "The Castle" was torched and has stood derelict ever since, a court could not find sufficient proof to prosecute. "The Castle" has not been rebuilt due to the enormous costs involved with heat-damaged reinforced concrete and purpose made blocks. The site is worth some R1,5 million. This castle was once a member of the S.A. Bachelors Club, with its headquarters in the Moulin Rouge Hotel in Hillbrow (April 1967) and called "The Castle" its country club and guaranteed 'Ghost Free'. This article was written in 2001
Brentwood Lodge In the beginning McKenzie Street was the main road in Deneysville and on the corner of, aptly named Handel Street, the first commercial building was built, a general store with a petrol pump. It also housed a mill. The owner Louis Trevena served the small community for many years and in 1974 the main trade carried on here was in second-hand bags. The locals called it the sex shop; after the heavy Jewish accent of the owner who confirmed he sold "secks". Ria Holz took over the building and adventurously started a candle factory. Bert and Thea van Aarle, sailors and weekenders in the village wanted something to occupy their day, having retired. They bought the business and the building. Having become experts in the wick and wax business they soon established that it was no easy task to compete with the larger manufacturers and closed it down. Miranda Peters and her husband acquired the building and with mother, Hilda started Ziba Lodge. The large original building became the dining room, dance studio and hall. New and altered outbuildings provided units for overnight accommodation. It was sold again and renamed Brentwood Lodge and has been extensively renovated and is managed by Woody Woods Brentwood Lodge was once a mill, store and petrol pump station. The and ????????????????? original building is on the right.
29 Deneysville Aquatic Club
A speech given by the Commodore, Graham Brown, at the function celebrating the Club's 21st anniversary in 1986. It is my pleasure tonight to talk about the last 21 years and the people. John Ratcliff and Norman Palmer visited the area and decided to form a club. They approached a Mrs. Brynse who owned a stone house on the waterfront and offered a rental of R40 per month. LDYC was renting the house at the time, and I was secretary of LDYC, and the decision was not to match the DAC offer. (Incidentally the Round-the-Island race was run for many years from this storehouse.) Ratcliffe and Palmer were joined by Eric Hutchons, all being members of Eligwa at that time. Arthur Wilson, then mayor of Deneysville, joined them and the club was started in the stonehouse. I believe all owned property above the quarry and parked their caravans there. Ratcliff was Commodore and Eric Hutchons was his Vice Commodore. That was 21 years ago. John Ratcliff passed away suddenly and Eric became Commodore automatically, and was voted in every year thereafter until 1978 when he stood down due to ill health. I owned the house next to Norman up the road and he eventually persuaded me to join DAC. I drove onto the property next to the stonehouse one Sunday afternoon and was promptly thrown off by Eric for parking on the lawn - that must have been in 1968. I was offered a beer and told to put my money in the slot in the counter we had in front of the kitchen for many years. That was my first encounter with Eric Hutchons. Six weeks after I joined the committee was reformed and I was put into it and was not allowed off until about three years ago. Names many of you will remember in the early days of the club were: Horst Karolius - still a current member. Zimmy & Frieda (The Zimmermans) - They are in garage No. 1. They built the original bar. Steve & Glassie Smit - both deceased. Harold Howes - Deceased. Willie Koen, the Floyds, Zelda, Rowland & Rea Geard and so on. A ladies committee was formed very early in the life of the Club headed by Babs Palmer who more often than not, either donated the meat or paid for it herself. Eric expected the whole committee at the Club on Sundays and the wife of the duty officer had to provide lunch for everyone. In 1965 Dr. Verwoerd, Prime Minister at the time, officially opened the Club. He spent the day at the Club and brought with him the S. A. Navy band. The photograph is on the wall. C. D. Bulman is another person worth mentioning as a Club member. He was the oldest powerboat pilot in the world at the age of 82 and he lived to 84. The waterfront stand belonged to him and was donated to the Club on his death - we had only to pay transfer fees.
The clubhouse and foreshore at Deneysville Aquatic Club
30 who did not seem to help and promised the best green in The Deneysville Bowls Club much either. the district within three years. There were a number of In answer to the The first ever ladies Oom Klaas, and John enthusiastic bowlers in council's request for the national team consisted of who still works at the green Deneysville in the early days. number of possible players, Christine Glaus, Jean (this is 2010), got stuck in and They played at Groenpunt the committee reported the Roberts, Jill Young and we did have one of the best Prison where the following: Lynette Nieman. greens in the district. Commandant encouraged the Present players 26 Christine Glaus a The first singles sport amongst his staff. Later Future members with bowls prominent bowler from championships were held some became members at 6 Johannesburg appeared on during the 1991/2 Season. John L. Sharp in Vereeniging. Committed beginners 14 the scene with Vin Henry, Alistair Wilson was the Men's David and Nora Laird, Harry Total best known for his special club champion that year and Coetzee, Jan and Joey van 46 bowls case which contained Monica van den Bergh was Rensburg, Wynand and Sarie Harry Coetsee was glasses and the bottled the ladies champion. Fourie, were joined by mayor when the province goodies for the 22nd end. A There was the Sasol Monica van den Bergh, Jack offered the council some 80% tent was erected between the Day, an annual event that and Jill Ashton, Eddie and towards the cost of a green. van der Bergh caravan pub came into being after the Sarie van Baalen. Mark and In March 1989 the and the building for the first Club's first ever open-day. Jean Vella and Tom (forgotten motion was passed by the ever open-day and visitors in The annual Ladies Day is his surname) came all the way Council and work the area thoroughly enjoyed another tradition where the from Oranjeville. Then there commenced. The tender of the Deneysville hospitality. men make the breakfast and was Chris Wentzel and Frank Roadgrass cc of Boksburg `The clubhouse try and give the ladies a day Lubbe and Yntze Schrauwen. was accepted for the amount consisted of a kitchen, the off from the kitchen. Jack It was ‘Inch’, as he was of R53,600. The council's ladies and gents and a little Ashton carved a chain and a known to his friends, who had additional costs were veranda. lock in wooed and added it to a vision of a bowling green in estimated at R18,850. The funds accumulated over a bowl as a trophy when the Deneysville. The Deneysville Bowls the years paid for the shade Club first started, it was the With the help of the Club was formed in April structure in the corner of the Ball and Chain trophy to be bowlers and others including 1989 with Janse van Rensburg green and enabled the club to awarded to the winning couple Julien and Rosemary Girard as chairman, Jack Ashton, offer to build the remainder each year. With fewer couples and the Baums amongst Eddie van Baalen and Monica of the clubhouse. Pieter playing bowls it is now played others, the Deneysville Sports van den Bergh as secretary. Nieman a member and local for by mixed couples. In 2004 and Social Club was formed They were assisted by Joey, QS was responsible for the Jill Ashton won it with Julien and all contributed to this by Harry and Nell Coetzee and drawings and quantities. Girard as her partner. Jill too enthusiastically participating Jill Ashton. Jack drew up the Municipal regulations passed away in 2007 and the in the monthly draw, July initial constitution. of those days demanded that event has been renamed the sweepstake, Bingo evenings All was now ready for the building had to go out to Ashton Day. and raffles. Sarie’s excellent the grand opening which took open tender. The club’s The Club has cooking attracted the bowlers place on the 11th of April, tender of R14,000, at cost, participated in the district to well attended socials in 1994. Jack Ashton was asked was of course accepted. This competitions and has their garage. to perform the opening was accomplished with Eddie developed a reputation of a Inch had a premonition ceremony and Harry Coetzee, van Baalen offering to small club with teams to be that he wouldn’t be here to see mayor and bowler delivered undertake the project at cost reckoned with. They have his dream fulfilled and handed the first bowl. Jack Ashton of materials and labour, not won a number of tournaments the fund raising project over became our first official coach accepting a cent for his work and are often runners up. The to Rosemary before he died. and it was Brian Smith who and supervision. ladies in particular have done His ashes were scattered also took some of the new Julien Girard became very well. around the green after it was recruits under his wing and green keeper, initially a job A number of members built, and there is a sundial in taught them how to deliver negotiating with the have represented the province, his memory. and play the game. “Your municipal authorities and including Christine Glaus, A survey was carried out delivery must have as few workers. Dup of Sasolburg Jean Roberts, while they were by the Free State Province to variables as possible” and Parks came onto the scene still members, Ena Maartens find the most needed sporting “you should get down lower”, and guided the new keeper and Esther Motaung. facility in Deneysville and the some of his well remembered who knew nothing about Deneysville was one of bowlers outnumbered even advice. ‘Horti-’, 'Agri' or ‘-culture’, the first clubs in the district to the fishermen. The Vaal Bowls ladies In February 1989 the were so excited with our new Deneysville Sports and Social club and to encourage us, they Club's main committee came out in force on a full consisted of: coaching day. Julien Girard (chair) One of our first bowlers David Laird was the long-suffering Alistair Jack Puttick Wilson who tried to put up Arthur Lardener with all these newies Monica van den Bergh (sec.) spreading their bowls across The bowling section was: the green. He led the first ever David Laird team to the Nationals in Des Baum Durban. Julien the lead who Jack Puttick put everything into the ditch, Jan van Rensburg Des Baum second, who had to The Deneysville Bowls Club boasts one of the best views. try not to, and 'big bowls' Jack 31 St. Peters Combined Church After attending a mission by Rev. Jack Cook entitled “What have you done for the Lord?” a new resident of Deneysville, Alma Malherbe was motivated to do something about an English church in Deneysville. She shared her thoughts with Suzie Rossiter (now in Switzerland) and Rosemary Girard. Rev Bill Meaker was contacted to help. The idea was to start with ‘cottage interdenominational services’. Carole Meyer joined the group consisting of Bill, Alma, Suzie and Rosemary and they organised the first ‘cottage’ service. It was held in April 1976 at Alma and Piet Malherbe’s house at 7 Johnson Avenue (next door to the present church), attended by thirteen people. Other ministers came to Deneysville in their spare time once a month. These included the Anglican, Michael Wimmer, Bill Meaker of course who was a Methodist and Presbyterian Roy Mallinson and Father Blazer of the Roman Catholic Church. Services were held at 5 pm, allowing the Sunday sailors to get back in time. The group, now including the local doctor, Frank Gunn, took turns in offering their houses for these services. As the congregation grew, new larger premises had to be found. With the permission of the local school board and the principal Mr. Fourie, services were held in the Deneysville Primary School hall. The first Church Council was elected in 1978. Dr. F. P. Gunn, mayor at the time, was the chairman, Arthur Lardner the treasurer, Rosemary Girard secretary and Piet Malherbe and Carol Meyer. The search for premises homed in on the then vacant old stone cottages on the foreshore. They were originally built by the brother of Deneys Reitz, the then minister of Water Affairs and after whom the town was named. They would make a lovely home for the church in a wonderful setting. The municipality was approached and finally a rental agreement was signed. Plans were drawn up and approved for the renovations, and mainly under the guidance of Dr. Frank Gunn, completed in 1978. The church foundation stone was laid by Reverend Bill Meaker. By the time the church became known as St. Peter’s Combined Church in 1978 many of the congregation had built, found or made much of the furniture and fittings. Rob Warrington donated the altar and bishop’s chair. Eric Jay built the pulpit while Arthur Wilson the local electrician made the pews and did the lighting. Arthur and Kay Lardner made the cushions for the pews, Margaret Puttick, the altar cloths and Dorothy Blain the tapestry of the Last Supper. The toilet in the rondavel built by Mark is “Carey’s comfort corner". Mrs. Lou Molyneaux was the first pianist. Saskia Emery and Libby Hamman also gave of their time and talents freely. A tape recorder with a collection of hymn music was also used when a pianist was not available. Chairpersons over the years included David Laird, father of Roz Ruggli, Pat Whitehead, Stuart Catterall and Robbie Pitt. Other dedicated members during the early years included Happy and Minnie Richards, Bill and Rosemary Cable, Ted and Villeria Croft, David and Nora Laird, Arthur and Kay Lardner, Rosemary Girard, Mary Ainslie, Jack and Margaret Puttick, Arthur and Maud Wilson (also a one time mayor), the Lendrums, Susie Rossiter, Bridget Burke, Geoff and Pam Hartwell and of course Carol Meyer and her mum, Gwen West. Over the years the church has had many inspiring ministers like the challenging Andre Blydenstein, Alan Robertson who went the extra mile. Reverend John Deacon has been the “minister responsible for St. Peter’s Church for a number of years now. Anglicans, Reverend Stephen Letloenyane - from Sasolburg and Pieter van Zyl from Parys, Reverend Mike Basel - Presbyterian from Henley-on-Klip, Mark Edgecombe from the Church of England Vaalpark and Jake van den Bergh from the Divine Ministry International Church, Vereeniging, give of their valuable time. Many travel even further to hold services. The Sunday school was started by Sharon Gates on the 18th April 1992 and Alison Dyble took over the following year before handing over to Sylvia Dyble in 1996. Jenny Sanders, who now runs it, took the helm in 2003. Dominee Schiel, the local Dutch Reformed Minister is a rather special person who gives bible study classes for this English speaking congregation as well as his own. He has always been available and has conducted wedding and funeral services at St. Peter’s. The prayer group was formed in 1992 after members attended a seminar given by Mrs. Terry Vermaak of the Catholic Church in Vereeniging. That was when they were still part of the combined church group. Besides these weekly meetings they also have a prayer chain, all of which have been answered in so many wonderful ways. The ladies group is very active, making dolls for the Victim Support Centre, fund raising and arranging social functions. The care group was started on the 9th of August 1993, after Joy van de Au of the Vereeniging Anglican Church gave a talk on the subject. Their motto is “actions speak louder than words”. These special members of the community reach out to those who need care, are sick, lonely, bereaved or require assistance, not only in our congregation, but the community of Deneysville as a whole. They compiled a database of resident's details so that they can be cared for in an emergency and their family could be contacted. Gordon Young started raising funds in 1966 to build a Wall of Remembrance. Hans Ruggli, our local architect designed the wall. On April the 10th this year Bishop Paddy Glover visited St. Peters and was their guest at a luncheon function held at the NGK hall.
32 BirdLife Vaaldam It was 1998 and Mary Littlewood, Rosemary Girard and the Van Aarles were relaxing on a houseboat on Kariba. At sunset, the skipper took the families out on the smaller powerboat to game watch with the sundowner. They clambered aboard, Rosemary with a borrowed bird book and binoculars and the pilot was told that it was birds, not animals, they wanted to see.
Back in Deneysville, Tony and Eileen Jones suggested that the village needed a bird club. Tony approached BirdLife SA and Vaaldam was on the map, it was April, 2000. Tony was the first Chairman and liaison with BLSA. Soon he was getting stacks of emails from them. One was a request, asking the Vaaldam branch to undertake the largest water-bird count ever undertaken in South Africa. He had mentioned that the Caspian Terns were nesting on Beacon Island again and ears pricked up. The count would be held under the auspices of the Avian (now Animal) Demography Unit of the University of Cape Town. Nothing daunted this small handful of birding beginners took on the task, and in the October of 2002 invitations were sent out to a number of interested parties. The event was a great success but, with nothing unusual being seen except for our resident breeding population of Caspian Terns.
BLSA were very pleased with the result and suggested we look for a sponsor for future counts, Sasol was approached and they agreed. Sponsorship was desperately required as Vaaldam has a shoreline of some 900 kilometres and much of which can only be reached by water. The cost of fuel for boats, overnight stays, air tickets, administration, the Sasol Supper and all the other things that go with an event of this magnitude could now be covered. The first Sasol Vaaldam Big Bird Count was held in January, 2004.
Over the years since then, Sasol have most generously sponsored all the counts and the event has grown in stature with 2006 being the highlight when 97,000 birds were counted, 76,000 being black-winged pratincoles. The dam was rising, the insects were moving back, and being opportunistic feeders, this was the pratincole's big day. More were counted than the estimated total world population. Over the years, there have been highlights, pink-backed pelicans now number six, the ospreys breed on Groot Eiland, a Marabou stork took up residence at Kollegeplaas, the greater flamingos come and go but the fish eagles, Goliath herons and African spoonbills are increasing. The ADU requested a late mid-year count for returning migrants and this year, a grey plover was seen off course.
Outings and guest speakers are arranged on a regular basis and the club works closely with the Vaal Birding Society and latterly, Wits Bird Club, Henley-on-Klip and the East Rand Branch. Birdlife Free State has always supported the counts, sending up a knowledgeable contingent.
The club acquired the bird sanctuary on the foreshore, thanks to tireless efforts of a previous member, and is fortunate that the Municipality increased the area. With sponsorship, it has been fenced and many of the water birds have returned.
Tony Jones has been sadly missed since he and Eileen moved to Hartebeestpoortdam. Not only was he the first Chairman but also the first President. Stan Madden and Deon Coetzee were both made honorary members in recognition of all the work, encouragement and help they have given the club over the years.
The present chairman, Rosemary Girard was elected on to the council of BirdLife South Africa in 2006 and has added stature to the club and the area. In October of 2008, Birdlife Vaaldam hosted the Birdlife SA Council meeting in Deneysville. A number of members arrived on the Friday and finally left on the Sunday after a count on the dam.
The Library has always been the venue for club meetings but in 2009, Deneysville Aquatic Club became the new nest for monthly meetings held on the first Tuesday of every month. Juniors under the age of eighteen have free membership and the club would like to encourage the youth more. DAC are also the hosts for the Sasol Vaaldam Big Bird counts on the dam.
The bird list has grown by leaps and bounds and is really quite impressive with more species being added on nearly a monthly basis. An African Jacana was seen at the sewerage works in January. Today Vaaldam is an IBA (Important Birding Area) recognised throughout the world.
Rosemary Girard, still chairman in 2009, kitted out for a bird watching outing
The lesser black-backed gull, a sighting over the years on Vaaldam, it should not be in the
33 RISING TIDE AT VAAL DAM Julien Girard gives a spescial report on the cosequences of the rising water levels at Vaal Dam. S.A. Yachting, May 1988.
. South Africa is a country of extremes. Vaal dam is no different. We all know the changes in wind and weather here. After years of the Dam sitting at 13% and that with the help of the emergency supply from Sterkfontein Dam, the newer arrivals at the dam could not believe that they would see it full again, Certainly not in one season. For the first time many became aware that without Sterkfontein Dam we would have had to shut down the Reef and most gold mines for the lack of water. Veronica Farrington winches herself acroos the flooded car- That all changed. The water started flowing for Sailsure park at Willik Marina (now Anchor Creek) to get to work Keelboat Week in October and by Christmas the dam was full. duringthe ,88 floods. Apologies for the quality, we scanned a From 13% to near 100% per cent in just six weeks and that with old cuttung. good rains in the right place, no real flood downpours. Then there was more rain. Saturday 5th March the dam was full and one dreamed that it could happen so quickly. it rose something like this: The sailors had a new shoreline to consider. Who wants the 106% 22.90 m Sunday embarrassment of sticking in the putty at flood level? There 112,98% 23,45 m Monday were trees and bushes under water. New obstacles including I14,07% 23.53 m Tuesday the break water walls at some marinas. 115.03% 23.60 m Wednesday At DAC where they built up their hard, boats moored along 116,4% 23,70 m Thursday side, their water lines level with the lawn. By the time the level had peaked on Thursday 10th of Now, when the easterly wind whips up the waves are once March there were seven sluice gates open. It is said nine could again above a metre to a metre and a half. cause some problems at Vereeniging. The boaters were ecstatic Neglected and shortened moorings and those boats moored to see the water and alarmed at the new heights. on snap hooks were bundled off their moorings into others or At the new 100% level Willik Marina had to make some pounded by more waves on the shore. The insurance rapid decisions and alterations to their location. By the companies must be smarting under the many claims. Monday, De Boeier was under water and a fast temporary All the night races have been scheduled and some have evacuation was under way. Virtually every club on the dam had already taken place. More people are sailing and there is problems with jetties and storerooms that were built below the much new blood, the used boats for sale being snapped up new 100% water line. LDYC was the only club and Port 'O Call and club membership swelled with more active sailors. After the only marina that had catered almost fully for this type of many years of massive investment by the marinas, their safe level. But their staff still had their difficulties. Having moved moorings behind walls and step-on facilities will bring a jetties and hundreds of dinghies and tenders countless times as reward. All they have to do is now wait for the water to drop the water came up there was another urgent removal overnight. to a usable level. And now knowing the correct levels all of Dave Smith and his gang at LDYC had to move most of the124 us on the dam can finalise plans for the convenience of our catamarans, 32 dinghies and 174 yacht's tenders. fellow sailors. The roads surrounding the dam went under water. Many of the places used by day visitors were fast disappearing under water. Government farm on North Bay, where most day-trippers and caravaners, go was closed for improvements. So everyone poured into Deneysville. There is only one road into the town. At the peak there were two groups of traffic police trying to control traffic. At home time on one particular Sunday, there was a two and a half kilometre static road-full of cars waiting to get across the entrance stop street. This was more than a half an hour wait at times. The many visitors included some, with strange ideas. They camped on residents front lawns, swam in their pools, walked into their houses demanding nourishment. One woman pushing her babe in a pram was pelted with beer cans. Yes, the cafes did run out of almost about everything and the town is not geared up to or planned to cater for this massive tide of human beings. Round the shoreline the houses were planned and built to cater for the high water. At the marinas on the water, people were rowing to the upper stories of the buildings to get to work, Longhaul trucks and those large containers appeared to house Water Affairs have opened 16 gates as Vaaldam continues tools and equipment. Parking at some of the venues was halved rising during the 1988 heavy rain season. Later the low and that when everyone came to have a look. lying areas of Vereeniging are flooded. The little church in the creek was evacuated but the rains or water affairs must have had some pull, the water didn't quite make the interior. Well, everyone knew it could happen but no 34 Sailing on Vaaldam Julien Girard It is said that the crews of the flying boats established the first yacht club on Vaaldam. They left their BOAC speedbird emblem on the Lake Deneys Yacht Club burgee. Dinghies from the Reef towns came to race here. Later keelboats appeared. One of the first was an imported boat, said to be a Folkboat, but not the traditional one we know, owned by Syd Gargett. Zahn Logan of DAC fame, an ex Polish sub-mariner, had a wooden boat Hobo. It was seldom seen under sail. If the wind was fair it would be seen drifting back to moorings with well topped up glasses on board. An Eventide or two were built at Triton Sailing Centre, now Manten Marina. The first fell on the builder, a Mr. Lubbe and broke his leg. This boat was later owned by Dave Bullock. The present owner has had it on the hard in Voortekker Street for many years. Bill Donnelly and others created the Vaal Cruising Association, the club still exists at allow Fjord. He was instrumental in promoting the Buccaneer, the first racing class boat originally designed by van der Stadt, a smaller version of his successful Royal Cape One Design. There were round the buoy races and those long distance events, the 50, 100 and 150 milers, the latter starting on a Friday evening and ending on the Sunday. The first production keeler was the Vivacity 20 built in Syd Gargett’s garage and later at E.I. Marine with his son-in-law Ronnie Steward, not to be confused with the racing sailor and mast man, Bill Stewart. It wasn’t long and Henry Vink started building the first Hunters. Deneysviller, Les Wright, and his brother owned Squibs, the open deck version. A Soling, Aurora, imported by Don Ord appeared on the dam. It was to be sailed by his son in law, Guy Butler in the Olympics. Unfortunately South Africa was banned from taking part that year. With the enthusiasm of Hamish Campbell and others, Solings were manufactured in the Cape. It was the racing class for many sailing enthusiasts, including Selwyn Tucker and Don Ord of Aoelians, the Transvaal home for the class. Later, it was Cor Bakker and Julien Girard who gathered most of the Solings from the coast and formed a racing class at Vaal Dam. Their first and only, official National Regatta was held here. E.I. Marine later built the Jaguar. Fred Raas had appeared on the scene and designed and built the Mistral. Later Dick Manten moulded the hulls and decks and they were completed at the dam. Young Lex Raas started moulding them at Triton and the Debonair from the Manten mould appeared, but that is a long story. Triton lost the rights to the Trapper mould at the same time and this was later modified and used to build the Nimbus by the Mantens. IOR, the International Offshore Rule was brought in as an alternative to class racing and a modern way of measuring and handicapping new designs. This rule did not work for the older boats and every designer found a new way of making a faster boat, making the last obsolete. The first IOR race was held with the introduction of the Minister’s Cup. Hal Hofmeyer and his buddy a non- racing American, Jerry Rossiter, helped get the finances together for the Transvaal Sailing Association. Hal owned a Ranger 23, Gull, the sister ship of Dove, which was used in the film of the same name. By the time of the second event in 1975, the Mistral had a new fin keel and it was John Bird's job to compete with the new E.I. Marine Theta 26 designed by Henderson. The Theta won. Paul Elvström came out the following year to sail and introduce the new Elvström quarter tonner. The Flamenca was modified to the rule and the racing one was led by Rob de Vlieg’s “Little Red Boat” which, of coarse, was blue. The Sweet Pea designed by Lavranos and built by Lex Raas of Ton Cup Yachts in the Cape and made a clean sweep of the event for many years. The Durban entry “Fuel Free”, also designed for the Lipton Cup, skippered by Harry Ellens was their nearest rival. The one-off’s started appearing, like Harry Ellens’ “Tokolosh” named to compete against boats named Zulu, Assegai and such like. Meantime Jan Hennis had got various van der Stadt plans, which finally brought the Stadt 23, originally an IOR Mini-tonner design, into being. As it soon became outclassed, the Class association decided to keep it as a one- design class boat. A wise decision, as it became the most popular racing boat on the dam, perhaps even more so than the Hunter. The Mini-tonners appeared, the Kid, E.I. Marine’s own Theta 21, the Lavranos and so on. The van Rooyen boat was named Manyana and later Neil Luck called his High Tension, because they took so long to be built. Manuel Mendez built and introduced the J22 class. The fast little boat stirred up a lot of excitement and the class developed rapidly. Unfortunately the bigger J27 did not.
35 Looking back at the sailing scene with Lex Raas
Lex Raas paid Vaaldam a visit in December 2011. He was (winner of many SA races), Charger 33 class, Fuel Free here to help celebrate 40 years of the Mistral class; the (Lipton Cup Winner), Royal Flush (World Champion Quarter keelboat designed by his father and built by the family here at Ton Cup) amongst many other boats. I was truly honoured and Triton, where Manten Marina now stands. proud to have been part of the South African sailing scene and Here is his story which he wrote for SAIL POWER edited by Jenny Smith to this day extremely honored to have been awarded Springbok colors for the South African team's effort on Gwaap in class (under license in the Cape), 1976. More recently I was also very honoured to have helped build the Robertson and Caine company into a global player for producing amongst the best catamarans in the world. In sum- mary I look back on my association with the South African yachting industry with pride and accomplishment. I really did learn the ropes of the industry in South Africa and was lucky enough to have been able to join the International arena. Back to my sabbatical, it was one beautiful day here in Florida earlier this year when I received an email from Noel Abendroth inviting my wife Carol and myself to attend the Mistral 40th Celebration. It was just one of those invites that I did not have to think very hard about. Here was the opportunity to visit the Vaal dam where my career started and meet the incredible folks that keep the Mistral class thriving. A couple of calls and e-mails later, Carol and I headed out to Lex Raas, successul sailor and builder of the Mistral, Noel SA and then on to Deneysville. It would be approximately 25 Abendroth chairman of the Mistral Association and Jenny years since I delivered a boat to the Vaal dam which was the Smith editor of Sail Power. First Class 8 from Beneteau. Carol and I sold over 50 2011 dawned as an interesting year for myself. I was Beneteau's to various folks in SA between 1980 and 1985. We signed on for a one year sabbatical in my career, The first time successfully raced the First 345 First Lady in Durban and I was not working since I turned 15. That makes it 41 years of Cape Town during this period. being honoured to have been involved in some of the best Forward 25 years and quite clearly the dam had changed boating brands in the world, Beneteau and more recently The from what I remember, a raised wall and a nearly full dam Moorings and Sunsail teams globally. Prior to joining the greeted us, those roads that went around the edge of the dam, International arena I was also honoured to have built many where I used to charge almost out of control on my Yamaha boats in SA for example: The Mistral class, Sweet Pea class, 400c scrambler motorbike were no longer there and have L26 class and Stadt 23 class (both under license in the Cape), disappeared under water. Many roads had now been tarred and Archangel (second in World One Ton Cup), Three Spears I was older, a lot older... We drove over to DAC so that we knew how to get there on Saturday morning and then headed over to Rosemary and Julien Girard where we had booked to stay for the weekend. What a delight to see them both. Julien and I worked together at Triton Sailing Centre for a couple of years. We all enjoyed trading stories of the early days at the Dam and the Mistral class. It was at this point that I looked back on how the Vaal dam sailing and more importantly, for this occasion, how the Mistral evolved and what made this such a great boat that it is still raced actively 40 years later, one can travel the globe but it is only on rare occasions that one will see this. Amazing! In the early 60's, I was at boarding school in Vereeniging when my father Fred Raas started the Triton Sailing Centre, first as a sailing school and then a small boat yard. It is interesting to recall that folks like the Lanham-Love boys, Gerard Aab and many others started sailing at Triton. Fred started building various one-offs, first the Waarschip which was really a JOG (Junior Offshore Group) and the forerunner of the Quarter Ton Class. A couple of Piver 27ft Trimarans. It Triton Sailing Centre, from the air, where the Mistral was was at this point that Fred started dabbling with the design of designed and built. This photograph was probably taken in the the Mistral, a few models were built and eventually the design sixties. Today Manten Marina is here. The building in the was settled on, In the mean time for various reasons I dropped water on the right is the LDYC bridge which still exist at the out of school (at 15... sail, build boats or study?) and attended LDYC club after it was dismantled and rebuilt. the University of Deneysville majoring in small town politics 36 and Free State commerce first hand. The number of keelboats on Vaal dam could be counted on one hand. There was one electric light on the dam wall and the phone system was the wind up one on a party line and you heard "nommer asseblief". On other occasions the heavy breathing or the barking dogs of other folks in town could be heard over the phone signalling bored folks eaves dropping your calls. Really made for interesting business discussions and a perfect way to pass on bad information. Yes, this was a small town in the Orange Free State with all the drama and interesting folks one would expect. To name a few, Ron Steward, Yntze Schrauwen, the Gargetts, the Le Nobles, the Bakkers, the Fred Raas and the model of the Mistral which he designed.
true one-stop shop for the Mistral. What was amazing was that at one stage a Mistral was produced every week, starting out for the Mk1 at a princely price of R1,999. The boom of sailing at Vaal dam had kicked in. While visiting Julien last month we calculated that in the early 70's, between Triton Sailing Centre, EI Marine and Henry Vink Boat builders there was on average of 15 brand new boats being launched every month on the dam. In total about 140 Mistrals had been built between 1971 and 1977 which is when I moved to Cape Town. It is fair to say that between the Bakkers, Tommy Grootjans, Petro Jonker, Ryan Smolderen, Gerard Aab, van Rooyens, Coblenz's, Steve Meek, myself and various other folks, Mistrals won every single regatta and race on Vaal dam, normally taking the full podium of top places. With a team of Jurgen Coblenz, Gerard Aab and myself, we travelled to Cape Town and won Class 2 Rothmans Week. This was probably the first ever inland entry to win a regatta in Cape Town. The Mistral was the first boat to sport rod rigging (the Cape Yachties referred to it as fencing wire...) however this The Vivacity 20, a Bitish designed twin keeler, was the first was one example of how Fred pushed us to innovate and be production keelboat to be built at Vaaldam. creative. Mistral 50 travelled to Sweden for the World Quarter Ton Cup. I was not part of the crew however Fred, Patricia, Raas's and so it went on. Gerard Aab and a few others made a great showing. For Fred To recall some of the interesting boats on the dam in the and Patricia, just being there was an accomplishment in itself. early days, there was Diana, a 30ft trimaran owned by Frank It was unbelievable for the International competitors to see a Wheeldon. Julien reminded me of the Atlantis, a second world boat designed, built including rig, sails etc. by a family. The war rescue boat owned by Aubrey Sussens, Bill Donelly and race committee awarded Fred the Viking Trophy for his spirit his Bucanneer. And so it went on, the boats were as of adventure and perseverance. interesting as their owners. I can go on and on about the boats This brings me to mention how Fred ended up in South and characters but I will jump to the very first production sail Africa, having been a youngster in a Japanese prisoner of war boat in South Africa being the Vivacity. These were introduced by Gargett and built by son-in-law Ron Steward. The first ten were sold by Fred and then there was a bust up between EI Marine and Triton Sailing Centre (more precisely Gargett and Fred). This is what probably drove the Mistral to fruition. Ponjaart was the prototype Mistral completed by Fred and myself and was out the box a rocket ship astounding everyone. Winning overall the Round the Island Race, I crossed the finish line with a Soling sailed by Don Ord. The Mistral was born and in a few months production was in full swing. The Mk1 Mistral was moulded by Dick Manten in Boksburg and then transported to Deneysville for completion. The Mk 2 soon followed when the entire boat was moulded and built at Triton Sailing Centre (now known as Manten Marina). This was a family affair. Designed by Fred, boat, keel and rig built by myself and a small team, one of the most The Beneteau First Class 10. Barry Jones had one delivered interesting facets was that the sails and all cushions were through Lex. The famous Bateleur . It now sails off Durban made by Patricia Raas right at Triton Sailing Centre. Yes, a and is still a very successful racing yacht. 37 camp in Indonesia, the family relocated to Holland at the end of Raas family across the globe. Patricia, Marjolein, Andrew and the war. On completing his studies, Fred and my mom decided to Monique from Australia shared the pride with Carol and I. Fred find a place similar to Indonesia in Africa. Travel the passed away in 2006 and I also know he was Yoking down on conventional way? Not a chance for Fred! He bought a everyone that evening with a big smile on his face. convertible Ford Mercury (2 wheel drive) and headed South from On behalf of the Raas family I want to thank e, 8' owner of Holland. Taking two years crossing the Sahara and the rest of a Mistral for their efforts, these are old ladies of the dam and Africa he ended up in the Transvaal. In 1952 this was unheard of need their care and attention. Thank you all so much, it is only but was accomplished, quite a celebrity appearing on the front because of you that the Mistral has stood the test of time. page of many car magazines around the world. There are so many goals that we as humans strive to achieve in Back to Deneysville. Last month - Saturday dawned and life, one of the most important is to leave a legacy. I am so proud Carol and myself headed for DAC. We were greeted by Noel and of my Dad that - 8 has truly created a legacy that has already many other faces, all eager to get out racing on their Mistrals. As stood the test of time. I wandered around the Mistrals the memories came flooding Go Mistral, see you all at the 50th! back, the keel designs, the deep rudders, the aerodynamic mast section designed by Fred, the narrow but flat run off aft, the Reprinted the magazine SAIL POWER fittings that we made at Triton still working. I even saw some sails that Patricia made. A sense of pride was setting in, I had never thought back on the Mistral as I did that morning and how much they taught me. How advanced our thinking and execution had been for the early 70's. I remembered the numerous arguments at Yacht Club pubs where pundits claimed that keel boats could not plane downwind. The Mistral planed off the wind back in those days as did the RCOD. However the challenge was keeping the Mistral pointed in the right direction not wiping out. Clearly anyone who could sail a Mistral in strong winds with the chute up was an accomplished yachtie and would be able to hold their own at high levels of sailing. This was not for the feint hearted. Noel had kindly offered us a chase boat to be able to watch the racing, I was so pumped, I could get out there and take pies of these wonderful small keelboats, but more importantly I could get pies of the wonderful folks that sail the Mistral today, this was a real treat. We were treated with some strong winds and it soon reminded me how these boats. sailed with a good crew, could really get up and go. We were all treated by Randolph and his excellent crew to a perfect downwind run, popping on to the plane in the puffs and managing to sail deep without broaching. It was a pleasure watching Randolph and crew making the Mistral perform at its best. That evening Noel and his Mistral team arranged a wonderful dinner. There were various speeches and I was incredibly touched by the letters written by various leaders in the industry about Mistral class and the Raas family. Thank you to Rick Nankin, Rob de Vlieg, Richard Crockett and a few others who recalled the early days of the Mistral and the impact this little boat and those that sailed on her had made on sailing in South Africa. The Mistral is a class steeped in history, pride, innovation, trail blazing and above all character, this was all on display that wonderful evening as the spirit is intact. I thank the Mistral folks as I was honoured to represent the Raas family at this 40th anniversary know that all those from the
38 Deneysville - a sailing centre
In 1974 there were two boat clubs and a Marina and two boat builders in Deneysville. Stuart Gargett built the first local keelboats, the Vivacity 20 in the garage of their home in Island Street. His son-in-law Ronnie Stewart, ran E.I. Marine (which later became the Boatyard, situated in Island Street, which then made the Vivacity 24 as well and later the Jaguar, known in the USA as the Catalina 22, followed by the Theta 26 and the less popular Theta 21. They then took a bold step in producing a Lavranos 40 footer, a real offshore vessel.
British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) employees originally formed Lake Deneys Yacht Club (LDYC). The club pennant still has the BOAC speedbird emblem and their committee boat is named Speedbird and the mark layer Speedchick. In 1974 the club had just purchased ground from the Sumner family after a disagreement with Fred Raas at Triton where they had been established. Stuart Gargett was on the LDYC committee and his wife was known for her excellent catering at the club. John Randall was the commodore for many years. Under his direction the club grew and flourished. The Round the Island Race was created by LDYC and made famous in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest inland regatta in the world; one year they had some seven hundred entries.
The first of the Ministers Cup regattas was hosted by LDYC in 1974. This was an event to cater for, and encourage the International Offshore Rule (IOR), a formula with design Ratepayer's Bay with Deneysville Aquatic Club at the top parameters which gave a boat its handicap rating. Mini-toners, right, then Water Affairs and the dam wall. Anchor Creek boats generally not exceeding 23 feet in length and the half- (Willik Marina earlier) on the right. ton class of boats up to 26 feet were the most popular. The Mistral was initially designed as a quarter-tonner and took part in an overseas international event. It's first rival was the Theta 26 quarter-tonner designed by Henderson in the UK, and later the mould was used to produce the cruising version. They first squared up to each other in the second Ministers Cup where the Theta won. One year Paul Elvstrõm arrived to sail and win in his new quarter tonner. Henry Vink altered the Flamenca mould and introduced the quarter-tonner racing version. The Lavranos designed Sweet Pea was perhaps the most successful of this class, winning many an event. These were produced by Lex Raas of Ton Cup Yacht. The 'one-offs' arrivd, some, a part of the Lipton Cup rivalry between the Cape Town and Durban clubs. Fuel Free was a Durban entry sponsored by Mediterranean Shipping Company who recently helped sponsor the Americas Cup entry Shosholoza. With boats named Zulu and Impi , Harry Ellens arrived with a most memorable entry named Tokolosh to scare them off. All this narrow, over-canvassed boat did was scare the living daylights out of the crew in heavy weather. Later with a new owner, and left neglected, it was given a Viking funeral at DAC. The Mini-tonners appeared, the Theta 21, the mould continually altered to get a better rating, the Kid and Lavranos mini-tonner. The Stadt 23, was a mini-tonner design, promoted by Jan Hennis, and built by Henry Vink. It was a great success, with a class association that allowed no changes to the boat, keeping it as a class to survive the IOR fad and become one of the most competitive and popular classes in later years.
Down the road was Triton (now Manten Marina) the original marina and repair yard in the village. They also had regular sailing schools. Fred Raas, the owner, had designed the Mistral and he built it there, with the help of his son, Lex. They also built a few Highvelders from a mould taken off a Canadian boat. Later, with the help of Dick Manten, a mould was taken off the C&C
Trapper 28. Manten Marina used the hull mould in developing the Nimbus. The last Triton effort was the Villain, a half-tonner, the first, aptly named Rascal. After a disagreement between Fred Raas and unpaid Dick Manten, who had the Mistral mould, Fred no longer had the sole rights to the mouldings and these were sold to a chap on the other side of the dam. He altered the rig and called it a Debonair. After Triton landed in financial difficulties the local sheriff appeared and attached all the boats in the marina including the members of Triton Sailing Club, they decided to leave and formed the Pennant Nine Yacht Club at Vaal Marina.
There was a time of the 'Titans' and Eric Hutcheons, the commodore of DAC, was one. He ruled over his club and committee with an iron hand. June his wife headed up the ladies Manten Marina, perhaps the safest on the dam with who became known, particularly amongst the sailors, as the best Deneysville in the background regatta caterers, better than mum could do. Meanwhile DAC
39 developed more and more sailing members; it was home to the Hunter and Stadt 23 sailors, and later the Transvaal Sailing Association handed them the Ministers Cup event, which, with the demise of IOR, became the Keelboat Regatta. Deneysville Aquatic Club was renting the ground where they are situated today from Water Affairs. In due course the club negotiated with Water Affairs and bought the land, trading the stands underwater for the quarry. The final consolidation of the club grounds took place early in this century when they were forced to purchase Pier Avenue running along the shore, sealing them off from the water. They were an Aquatic Club and most members owned powerboats. The first of the Hunter 19's, built by Henry Vink in Walkerville, were owned by the few sailing members, among them John Ainslee, father of famous Ian, Gerhard van der Bergh and the Wright brothers. Triton was not very popular amongst the boating businesses and clubs and particularly LDYC for obvious reasons. Lake Deneys Yacht Club foreshore before the start of the Round the Island Race, which includes dinghies, multihulls Deneysville was a thriving boat building centre until the great and keelboats. drought of 1984. In those 'good old days' E I Marine, and later the Boatyard, Triton and Henry Vink in Walkerville were producing between 11 and 14 new keelboats every month. Why it all came to an end after the drought is a mystery. Perhaps there were too many second hand keelboats on the market after many had lost interest, perhaps too, there were just fewer new people from Gauteng taking and interest in sailing. It is interesting to note that at this time there was a general slow down in the sport nation-wide.
Hans van der Willik had bought the remaining ground with rights to the water and developed Willik Marina, which to everybody's surprise grew in popularity as a home for many sailors. Fred, his son took over and with less capital available, started a harbour. His experiment with a tyre wall to stop the easterly waves unfortunately was not successful. He later sold the property which is now Anchor Creek.
Keelboats battling to keep their spinnakers drawing, on a tight Dick Manten, the well-known powerboat builder in Boksburg reach during one of the Round the Island Races. took over Triton after its collapse and switched to sailboats.
He had in earlier years, while producing powerboats, made the mouldings of the Mistral and Trapper 28 for Fred Raas. After a massive capital injection a harbour was built making it the safest marina on the dam. They took over the moulds of the Formula One after the Lardners, new owners of EI Marine folded. They also developed the successful Nimbus from the original Trapper moulds.
Julien Girard had quit Triton and took over and developed the Boatique where you could buy a new or second hand boat, boat fittings, insurance and there was coffee too. It is Star Marine today. Gargett and Yntse Schrauwen, a character of note, originally owned it. He had sailed and pioneered the Vivacity 20 for E I Marine and took part in many a regatta. After not being recorded as having finished a Round the Island race, as he could not find the finishing line that had been inexpertly moved, he broke his old sailing ties and turned to bowling, and was responsible for the establishment of the Deneysville Bowls Club.
Mr. Kean, a local resident brought the Boatyard into being, which specialised in displaying second hand boats on trailers on their premises. The business was taken over by Tony Jones, something to do in retirement, and became a most successful operation, later branching out into the power boat business in Midrand. They later sold to the Collards and stayed with power in Midrand. There have been some 'fly-by-nights', the less said the better, including those who took over the Vaaldam Boatyard from the Collards, and is no more.
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At the bottom of Vaaldam An abridged translation of '`Op die bodem van Vaaldam" written in Afrikaans by V. E. d'Assonville published by Marnix
Louis Trichardt, the well-known voortrekker tells of his trek to a place where the Wilge River runs in to the Vaal. The farm Zandfontein was situated here on the west bank, owned by another voortrekker Hendrik Adiaan Roets. He arrived here after the murder of Piet Retief and the battle of Blood River. The farm was acquired with an 'afjaag'. In the old Oranje-Vrystaat this was still used in 1850. A horse-rider accompanied by a land surveyor would ride for half an hour marking the borders of his farm with beacons. He also owned Cypherfontein. Sections of these farms today form Groot Eiland on Vaaldam. Hendrik and his wife Jacoba Dorothea Christina du Preez previously owned two farms in the Cape, Matjiesfontein and Bulhoek. They had thirteen children. The eldest son, Nicolaas Johannes would become the owner of the farm Knoppiesfontein where the Vaaldam wall is today.
1,500 meters north east of Groot Island was a deep part of the river with rocks forming an island. It was here that a tragedy was played out during the first Boer War of 1880 to 1881, which made world headlines. Two British prisoners of war, a captain Elliot and captain R. H. Lambert had been released from Heidelberg on parole and left on the banks of the Vaal River with a hose and cart. They were later recaptured when, it seems that they were heading towards a British garrison in Standerton against their parole conditions which stated they had to leave the country and not fight for the British.
They were ordered to cross the Vaal at a place near Aloe Fjord near where the island is today. When the horse and cart became stuck for the second time, the Boers, who still thought they were dallying, shot at them. Captain Elliot was fatally wounded. It seems that they were to be recaptured and not shot at. This was reported in the newspapers in England and a number of writers wrote about the incident including Rider Haggard, Lawrence Green and Eugène Marais.
From 1850 the Free State community living in the vicinity of what is now Groot Eiland consisted of the Roets, Vosloos, Steenkamps, Mockes, Groves and D'Assonvilles. They were in close contact with the Transvaalers as they were affected by whatever happened in either colony.
In March 1986 tragedy struck, the runderpes, mainly the Transvaal where over two million head of cattle died. An extraordinary Government Courant proclaimed emergency measures including the guarding of the Free State border to ensure that no animal crossed into either colony. The Bloemfontein newspaper De Express reported "Er is thans ééne gedachte heersende in de gemoedere en dié is de dreigende runderpest." (How Afrikaans has changed).
A young 21 year-old Victor Edouard d'Assonville, son of a French nobleman from the district of Humansdorp was appointed assistant inspector of the border guards. His area stretched from Viljoensdrif to Wilge River, a distance of some 50 kilometres. It was a difficult job, controlling over one hundred, mostly, older men on border duty and negotiating with the farmers in the area. Accommodation was always a problem. His base was a little corrugated iron hotel in Viljoensdrif near the Police Station. On patrol he had to rely on the hospitality of the local farmers.
The farmers supplied the food for the guards and it was d'Assonville's job to record these transactions, claim and pay the Theo. Farms that supplied Hendrik's grandson Willem, where Deneysville would be established in 1934) included Eenzaam, Veekraal, Annies Rust, Knoppiefontein (home of Nicholaas Roets, Hendrik's oldest son), Witpoort, Tevrede, Cyferfontein en Zandfontein.
After a typical highveld storm d'Assonville sent in a report to his superiors. Four of the border patrol had taken shelter in a stone kraal when lightning struck and killed them all. This was just northeast of Groot Eiland now under water.
Zandfontein was one of the farms he visited, owned by Relief Groves, and his wife Anna who had seven children. The eldest daughter was twenty-year-old Jacob Dorothy Christina caught his eye and he became a regular visitor. One day finding the family away he scratched a message on a windowpane of her room with a glasscutter on his knife. It read; 'Good-bye darling', and Kobie thought this to be a highlight of her romantic association with him. All this did not go unnoticed by father. Tactfully he asked what church the young Frenchman belonged to. He was satisfied when told that he had been christened in the NG Kerk in Humansdorp. In 1897, after the scourge of the runderpes, they were married in Heilbron and the reception, a great event, was held on the farm that is now under the waters of Vaaldam.
Part four The people of Zandfontein had a close bond with Christiaan de Wet who fought together in the Heidelberg Commando during the Boer War. They naturally joined forces with the 10,000 Afrikaners in an armed revolt against the Union Government of General Louis Botha. What was the cause of the 1914-1915 rebellion? Firstly, General Louis Botha broke the oath made to De la Rey and De Wet on May 31st.1902.
Secondly, the Union government, despite heavy opposition, decided to annex German South West Africa (Namibia today) with the defence force for Great Britain. The promise made was; "If we sign now, it is not the end of this business. "I and Jannie (Jan Smuts) discussed this; when England lands in trouble we will renew the struggle". De la Rey confirmed and said; "Give me your word, just between the two of us, that we will take back our independence when he right moment arrives." Botha 41 replied; "I promise you". He also gave this assurance to General J.H.B. Wessels in Vereeniging saying that war in Europe was coming and then we will take up arms for our independence.
This was a blatant slight for the Boere-Afrikaners who suffered so bitterly under England 12 years previously. De Wet, De la Rey, Hertzog, Beyers, Kemp Maritz and Muller joined felt that they had been hit below the belt, Botha and Smuts were traitors to the cause.
De Wet and Beyers signed a proclamation against the government's actions and called the people to use all their powers to influence to stop the government. No notice was taken and South West was taken over.
This contravened a second promise made in writing on 23rd September 1914 at Koppies - "Het Goevernement heeft hoegenaand geen intensie om die Burgermacht Reserwes en Nasionale Reserwes voor krijgsdienste buiten die Unie te kommanderen." The Government had no intention of using the defence forces beyond the borders of the Union. The 1914 rebellion came about because of these broken promises.
General Christian de Wet and the other rebels of the 1914 rebellion were charged and appeared in the Bloemfontein high court. The sentence passed by judge F.E.T. Krause was a disappointment for the Union government and the "jingo's". Botha was found guilty but only received a six-year sentence and a £2,000 fine, not the death sentence. He was to comment that he was unable to follow Botha and Smuts - but high treason? - he never committed it against his people (volk).
A Zandfontein rebel put it this way - Botha would rather bend than break — De Wet would rather break than bend General De la Rey was even a fiercer opponent of the government's plan to invade South West Africa. He was quoted as saying that if they did not reach the final destination, then let us have the satisfaction that we died following the straight and honest road. Prophetically he was shot and killed in Fordsburg on September 15th, 1914. Followers, De Wet, Beyers, Maritz, Kemp and Muller believed that the government was implicated. 10,000 people attended his funeral in Lichtenburg. De la Rey was highly respected worldwide and the volk looked at Botha and Smuts with abhorrence and suspicion. All the generals that sided against them met in Ligtenburg the following morning where it was decide to continue against the government wit protests so that their sons were not shot dead for the sake of the English aggressor. They wanted an answer from the government to their petition to halt the South West invasion by the end of the month. They were ignored! The commandants had already met with generals Botha and Smuts on the 14th and 15th of August. The Commandants who were against the invasion were silenced, including Dawid van Coller of Heilbron ( Zandfontein fell under his command).
The Lichtenburg meeting never concluded to take up arms against the government, but to plead to avoid the spilling of Boere-blood for the English. General De Wet organised the first of a number of protest meetings in Koppies. Hendrik Vosloo, a grand son of voortrekker Hendrik Adriaam Roets, who settled where Vaaldam now is, and rapportryer of De Wet saddled his horse to inform all the veterans of the Boer War of the meetings.
General de Wet invited all the veterans of the Boer War to a meeting in Koppies to discuss further steps to be taken to halt the annexure of South West. The Grové and the d'Assonville families and the Vosloo's and Roets of Vaaldam were included. These families, as many others in the country took sides, some chose to follow Smuts and Botha and others De Wet, Beyers, Hertzog and past president Steyn. These rifts would last for generations, disputes between SAP en NAT (South African Party and the Nationalist Party).
Victor d'Assonville and Roelof Grové, the last two inhabitants of Zandfontein, the farm where now only Groot Eiland is left, rallied to the Koppies meeting together with Hendrik Vosloo, Hennie Roets, and Josua Steyn. Most of the others were loyal to Smuts and Botha and became "Witbande". These 'Whitebands' were burghers who actively supported the government and helped track down rebels. They wore a white band on the left arm. The table was laid for an armed confrontation around Groot Eiland.
At Lourens' Boarding House at Koppies the Zandfonteiners met de Wet and one Harm Oost, a journalist who wrote the meaningful book "Wie is die skuldiges?" (Who are the guilty ones?) and whose records are the main source of information on the 1914/15 rebellion in the archives. The second meeting was held on the 13th of October, the day after martial law was proclaimed. This smothered all opposition, citizens were called up and large scale arrests followed. A deputation consisting of Jan Brand Wessels, a member of the House of Assembly and dominee L. P. Vortser of the Gereformeerde Kerk in Rustenburg was sent to the Prime Minister with their objections. They were arrested.
The irons were in the fire at the third Koppies meeting. The Boere were in the battlefield once again. But the tragedy was that one group were in khaki uniforms hunting down the others in ordinary clothes. General Beyers and his men were 'in the field' and the government sent them to prison if they opened their mouths.
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The rest took to the field. Before first light on the 24th of October 1914 the rebels of Zandfontein rode out armed with their Mauser rifles. The day when brother would fight brother had arrived. They joined De Wet who had taken over Heilbron the previous day. He slept in the jail with Commandant Attie van Niekerk, where he had been taken after being captured during the war and nearby the grave of his first wife, murdered by the English.
To the bittereindes surprise, Deneys Reitz had joined Smuts on his return from exile in Madagascar and he became known as Smuts' peetkind, godchild. He was the military commander in Heilbron and fled the town to Vereeniging on a motorbike when the rebels took over. Deneysville at Vaaldam was to be named after him, the son of the past president of the Free State.
General J.B.M. Hertzog arrived at the town on his way to find General De Wet in the Vrede area. He tried to convince the rebels to throw in the towel and not spill any blood. De Wet, he was sure, was the kingpin in ending the rebellion. His meeting with De Wet was in vain, he would not budge. The rebel's wittebrood (White bread or honeymoon) did not last long. They could only muster 247 men against the government 2,000 strong force. A battle ensued at Elandskop where the rebels were overpowered with losses on both sides. General Van Coller surrendered. De Wet was also overwhelmed. The group was imprisoned in a half completed shop at Wolvehoek included Roelof Grové and Victor d'Assonville. Josua Steyn and Hendrik Steyn of Cyferfontein were captured elsewhere while Hennie Roets perished. The last clump of rebels were captured, it was November 1914. The 47 prisoners joined some 200 other captured rebels from the Kroonstad area on the train at Wolvehoek. They were taken to a dismal and dirty compound prison on the De Beers mine in Kimberley. On the way there, they were paraded at stations like Braamfontein, Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp, for the benefit of inquisitive onlookers while bands played "God save the King" and the Union Jack was raised. Something they just couldn't stand. At Kimberley station d'Assonville jumped out in front of the paraded rebels and conducted them in singing the Free State anthem. Heft, Burgers, 't lied der vrijheid aan En Zing onst eigen volksbestaan! Van vreemden banden vry, Bekleedtons klein gemenebest, Op orde, wet en recht gevest, Rang in der Staten rij Rang in der Staten rij. "Ons sing nie in Smuts en Botha se jingo-koor nie." (We don't sing in their jingo-choir). Colonel Deneys Reitz, an attorney in Helbron had telegraphed the prison commander, ordering him to detain d'Assonville in a camp for dangerous men. Over 500 rebels were held in the De Beers compound prison in Kroonstad for some six months. During this period the farms were regularly visited by the governments "witbande", houses were searched and inhabitants questioned. Martie, Victor d'Assonville's wife burnt all his letters and documents and the old Free State flag to prevent the family getting into further trouble. Josua Steyn of Cyferfontein, the farm west of the present Groot Eiland, managed to escape from his captors in Heilbron and hid himself along the banks of the Vaal River near his farm. He made contact with Martie who helped feed him in his hide-away until he was recaptured by his stepson. In the winter of 1915 the rebels were released after six months of incarceration. Victor d'Assonville and Roelof Grové (the son) were sent back by train via Bloemfontein. Although a "khaki-predikant" was sent to warn them not to sing the Free State anthem, they did, and the Transvaal one too, which began Kent gij dat volk vol helden moet ... News of their return spread and hundreds of supporters greeted them at every station on the way, even though the authorities delayed the train hoping people would tire of waiting. d'Assonville was the last to leave the train at Coalbrook. Hendrik and Martie his wife were taken to meet him by Mr. J. A. Wiid a teacher friend. They found a defeated and tired man. He had lost his horses and cart and cattle and had to pay a fine of £200, a claim from Heilbron shopkeepers against the rebels. He still believed that he had done the right thing trying to prevent Boers loosing their lives for England. Smuts lost the election to Hertsog in 1924, ten years later, Wiid later obtained a doctorate in Munich and became a professor at Stellenbosch. Peace returned to the farms that now lay below the waters of Vaaldam. The owners had lived through the first war for freedom in the Transvaal 1880 - 1881, the runderpes of 1895 - 1896, the Anglo-Boer War 1899 - 1902 and the Rebellion of 1914 - 1915. Roelof Grové was an asthma sufferer and A. G. Visser was their doctor. He would drive out from Heidelberg and be rowed across the river to visit them. Together with the poets Totius (J .D. du Toit) and D. F. Malherbe he founded the first Afrikaans-medium school near Paarl. Afrikaans culture and language was an important part of life in these parts. He told them about S.J. du Toit, the father of Totius, now a retired dominie, who was regarded as 'the father of the Afrikaans language'. The Grové and d'Assonville families approached him to hold a number of services in their area. These never took place as he had an accident with his horse and cart which was the cause of his death. But following his earlier preaching, the Gereformeerde Kerk onder die Kruis was formed and the families joined the congregation. Totius the son served this community until 1914 when the Gereformeerde Kerk took up the Frankfort community van Suid-Afrika. Asthma was the cause of Roelof Grovè's death in February of 1920. His dog followed the funeral procession and lay on his grave and never left it.
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In 1922 Victor and Marie d'Assonville decided to build themselves a new house higher up on Rooibult on the farm Zandfontein. The old one was getting dilapidated and being on the banks of the river it was a lot colder in winter. The shadows of the coming depression were already lengthening and he had no spare money. Victor was a carpenter and had built houses before like the NG rectory in Oranjeville for ds. Murray. Northwest of his homestead the ruins of a house he built for Dawid Mocke are still evident. He fired the bricks himself for this building. On Hendrik Vosloo's farm Bloubank, situated north-west of Groot Eiland and now under water, there was a granite quarry. Faithful Jim and Victor set to chopping and shaping the stone. Vosloo brought the stones by oxwagan and the building began with the help of Lulu his seventeen-year-old son and his sister Anna.
It was a large, simple, but comfortable house and with it came a new name for the farm, Oase. New Year's day was celebrated at the house every year until the death of Martie d'Assonville in 1934. The family came from far and wide even the Namibian branch.
On the south side of Groot Eiland the foundations of the house belonging to the younger Roelof Grové and his wife Sara Susanna still exist. They lived there until 1936 when they moved to Vlakplaas beyond Vereeniging when the dam started filling. The house was originally built for Anna Grové who was well known for her herb garden, with the large containers of medicinal herbs, wynruit, wilde-als, and the Sabeta-struik for sugar diabetes, which she suffered from. She died in 1926 and her gravestone, together with many of the other family's was moved to the island when the waters of the dam covered her grave. In 2002 the cypress tree and a fig tree were still in existence.
The grave of their young son, who died in 1931, is south-west of the RAU complex. The d' d'Assonvilles and the Grovè lived with their children, all like brothers and sisters. The close knit children often reminisced about rowing across the river to get to the Vaalbank school on the Transvaal side of the river.
There were no schools nearby in the Free State, so a plan had to be made. The owner of Vaalbank, Daan Kloppers had built a school, which was later taken over by the Transvaal Education Department. H.S van der Westuyzen was the first principle to be followed by W.P. Wessels in 1927. Anna d'Assonville who had been schooled at Greys College in Bloemfontein and later obtained her BA degree as a teacher at the University College of Potchefstroom, held school at Vaalbank from 1926, She too had to row across the river. Victor d'Assonville undertook the task of building a rowing boat to hold at least six people and it had to cope with the strong flowing waters of the Vaal River. Die boot "Klein Leviatan" was built, tested and launched. Susan Grové and Kona d'Assonville were the nimble oarsmen. Teacher and children continued with this unique situation for eight years. The journey took them two hours, sometimes getting wet in freezing cold weather and sometimes enduring the blazing summer sun.
In 1926 the school consisted of one room. Both grades and six standards were taught by two teachers, yet they managed. When the room was partitioned it was a real luxury. The scholars did well and some filled responsible posts in the civil service. Then there was Naas Kloppers who obtained his doctors degree in Scotland. Kona d'Assonville had the highest marks in the Transvaal in standard six in 1930. One scholar became a university professor. They were achievers even using slates.
Although Victor d'Assonville never learnt Afrikaans, he decided that this language was to be encouraged and he set to on an old Royal typewriter writing the first detective story in Afrikaans; his hero Jean de Ville and his pseudonym was "Viedas". J.L van Schaik, the publishers gave it to Eugène Marais to review who considered it to be a contribution to the Afrikaans language. Off they went in the Jowett motor car to Wolwehoek station to catch the train to discuss the detail with Mr, van Schaik in Pretoria.
Sjieling, as he was known worked for three generations of the Grovè's. He arrived from 'Johannie' and was probably a miner from Mozambique as he did not speak the local native languages. He had a good life. The grandchildren were his closest friends. He taught them to throw with 'kleilatte', made them stick horses, made a ball from leather thongs and gave them great joy. He was getting old, his 'peperkorrel' hair was now grey. He always found something to do. When one day he felt ill, the family was really worried. Anne Grové nursed him, eventually feeding him soup in his sickbed. They gave him medicines and provided a sheepskin to prevent bedsores. he left this earth gently and peacefully. "Baas-Wietel", Victor made a coffin and he was buried in the family cemetery, not in the traditional farm workers one. The family and all the workers attended the funeral, which was held in the European manner. A bluegum tree grew next to the tombstone and it was left in his memory, now a stump under the Vaaldam.
From 1911, professor doctor J.D. du Toit, known as the writer Totius, was a regular visitor to Zandfonten, staying there when he held services for the Reformed Church under the Cross in Frankfort. He enjoyed resting here and fishing in the Vaal River. He christened Anna Susanna Grové here in January 1922. Part of the translation of the bible, which he undertook, was done at Zandfontein. This all happened between 1924 till about 1931. His manuscripts lived in a brown leather case together with a Hebrew Bible and a Hebrew dictionary together with a commentary on this particular Bible. The case became known as "Moses and the prophets".
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The Vaal River was also an inspiration for some of his poems. Here he describes the reeds. (The dictionary gives another meaning to 'Biesie' - a peach of a girl)
As ek op de waterbaan golfies sien wat rustig gaan, en die rus weer stil geniet van die Vaal se stroomgebied, - og, dan staan jy biesieplant, buigend aan die waterkant en jou arme steeltjie beef, of ‘n sieltjie daarin leef; en ek vra verwonder: o, Waarom beef die biesie so?
And then he describes the drought of 1933 when there was only sand in the river.
Hoe traaglik het die Vaalrivier al maande en maande aaneen in sleepend-luie slingergang hom voortbeweeg, omdat die son uit sy fonteine water drink.
Some 159 metres north of the RAU buildings there was a threshing floor. The corn was delivered here on the banks of the river. The floor was prepared with a hard flat surface; the ground here was suitable even for a tennis court. The sheaves were laid out in four circular rows along the outside and then the horses were brought to trample the mealies with a man handling them from the centre. The well-trampled corn is lifted in the air with a fork and a light breeze blows the chaff away. Oxen and donkeys were also used. Before the dam was built Steam driven engines made their appearance driving threshing machines with wide belts. The son, Lulu d'Assonville studied at Greys College (now UOVS) to be a teacher in the twenties. With the depression it was not easy to get a reaching post. In 1928, at the drop of a hat, he accepted a post in northern South West Africa. This was the year when the Angolan farmers trekked across the Kunene River to South West. He started a school at Outjo and had established a number of farm schools the Department of Education, namely Manina and Nina. He became sick and died at the early age of 32. During his short life he tackled an interesting task. He converted an old Chevrolet to run on charcoal instead of petrol. He arrived with the car at the farm Oase on the Vaal River where it created a great sensation and in Heidelberg too. The cylindrical gas tank was placed on the baggage rack at the back of the car (this was before cars had luggage boots). The charcoal gas was made in a 'fireplace' under the tank. Two little purifying tanks filled with horse tail hair filtered the gas. He dug a 5-metre ditch and filled it with camelthorn stumps and made the charcoal for the journey. He sent a telegram to the nearest post office in Oranjeville to say he was coming. He completed the 2 500 km journey for his mother's birthday on the 11th of December 1933. It was to be last. The journey cost him 12/6 pence, R1.25, the cost rail freight to rail ahead 4 sacks of charcoal to Keetmanshoop and another 4 to Kimberley. He returned using bluegum wood to make charcoal. The journey was undertaken again in 1934. In 1934 it was a rare occurrence when a biplane flew over the farm and low over the river. The children rushed into the house and described the 'erreplane' to their mother. They said it had four wings and it had a wheel in front like the windmill. They saw the fliers clearly with their large spectacles. At an airshow some years later they identified the plane as a Tiger Moth. The Governments plans to build a dam on the Vaal river came to a head and in 1936 the waters engulfed the farms in the area as the seas overflowed and engulfed the Titanic liner as it sunk in 1912. It covered most of Zandfontein's 13,336 hectares. The two show farms Eiland and Tweeriviere, subdivisions of Zandfontein were completely covered by the dam waters. With the death of Martha Cathrina d'Assonville on the 4th of March 1934, the history of Zandfontein came to an end. She was the last to live in the house before the farm was taken over by the State. Her last wish was not to be buried in the family cemetery but near the homestead on what is now Groot Eiland. Ds. H.S van der Walt, an old friend of the family, arrived from Heidelberg to perform the burial ceremony. He, as were many of the mourners, rowed across the river in the old rowing boat by Susan Grovè.
45 VAALDAM
Aeolians
CLUBS & MARINAS NORTH Aloe Fjord 1 Deneysville Aquatic Club BAY 2 Anchor Creek Viking Bay Government Farm 3 Manten Marina Groot Sandy Bay 4 Lake Deneys Yacht Club Island . The Narrows 5 Penant Nine Yacht Club N Hunter Bay Hawaii Shoal Bayshore 5 Leeufontein - Marina Draaifontein Misty Bay Dam Wall Villain Point Vaaldraai Power 1 Fools Lines The Creek Mistral Point Point Zandfontein DENEYSVILLE 2 Rose Big Bend Hearts Ease Bay Graveyard 3 Beacon Reef Bird Island 4 Rusplaas Island LDYC Catcher Point Power BAY Tombstones Lines Wilgedraai Bunny Brook
JIM FOUCHE RESORT Macky Point SOUTH BAY ORANJEVILLE
Bridge Leeuwbank WELTINA BAY
Branddraai Riviera Enkeldoorn Pt Spurwing Sweet Home
Inloop WILGE Point BAY
BBBmapVD
46 Passages marked are quoted from the magazine SA FLYER. "Near to Deneysville was 22 Air School at Vereeniging, which was a Service Flying Training School, operating Harts, Hart Trainers, Hinds and Audaxes (collectively known as Hart Variants). 22AS urgently need a machine gun range and bombing range and on December 26, 1940 initiated proposal to establish this at Vaal Dam. The Dept of Health turned down the bombing range on the grounds that the explosive residue would poison the water so an alternative range was established on the farm ‘Bankfontein’." "Next, the Director of Irrigation and Minister of Lands objected to the machine gun range due to the bird sanctuary on the island. However, due to the urgency of the situation and the fact that there was a war on, a compromise was reached and the range was completed on May 22, 1942."
Augus Malan, who was a youngster at the time remembers a concrete structure which was used for bombing practice. It can still be seen when the the level of the dam drops to the original high water mark before raising the wall twice. It is situated off Government Farm next to the plots opposite to where the Seben Schwaben restaurant is.
"It was also decided to establish a landplane training school at Deneysville Auxiliary Landing Ground. Exactly when this started is not known but DAW Drawing no 20/115 dated November 24, 1942 shows the improvements to be made to the airfield which included a Bellman Hangar, stores building, garage, dining hall and kitchen plus various huts and ablutions. These buildings were all situated close to the Heilbron - Vaal Dam road."
Augus pointed out the situation of the airfield situated near the present water reservoirs along Oranjeville road stretching to Refengkgotso bordering on the road to Oranjeville and Heilbron. At the time Refengkgotso only consisted of a few mud and stone dwellings.
"On a nautical note, the semi-cabin cruiser ‘Sarie’ which was in use by the SAAF at Hartbeesport Dam as a crash boat was transferred to Vaal Dam with its crew a coxswain, Sgt PA Tomlinson and Fitter Marine Sgt JJ Orton to act as range crash boat when air firing was taking place from 22AS which was at this stage using Harvards. The crew was billeted at the quarters at Deneysville and ate in the hotel."
Alan Stokes' father, then stationed in Pretoria used to come out to Vaaldam to service this crash boat. (more on that later) Augus Malan remembers the aircraft in the area doing aerobatics. All very exciting in those days, particularly for a young boy growing up on a farm. He also tells of the quartermaster at the airbase arriving on his Harley Davidson motorbike with a sidecar to collect meat and vegetables which the Malalns supplied to the mess. precise timing got him a ride on the machine to the farm gate.
Jan Smuts, a keen aviator, lands at the Deneysville airstrip in the good ols days. These images were copied off snapshots taken by Dave and Nora Laird. If anyone can tell us more about this visit, we wouls love to hear
47 The Malan's remember.
In the old days, before Vanderbijlpark and later Sasolburg were built, there was no bridge over the Vaal in this area to Deneysville. Vehicles used a pont situated at Engelbrecht's Drift.
Originally the road into Deneysville crossed the low level bridge below the wall and continued into McKenzie Street from Water Affairs. What is now Brentwood lodge was the Deneysville store. It had a petrol pump and one could buy most of what was needed. It belonged to a Mr. Meirowitz and a Mr. Greenman. It later belonged to a Mr. Weiner before finally owned as a store and a mill to Louis Trepido. Later Mr. O'Grady had a fuel pump and he repaired motor vehicles. The quaint old building was situated on the corner of Oranjeville Road and Main Street, where today there is a motor spares business at the end of the row of shops which include 'die Oogkundige' and Omega bottlestore.
Deneysville originally had a Village Management Board. Some of the people who served on it include Piet Mentz, Wolf Engelbrecht and Dawid van Coller. The original 'municipal' offices is the old building on the NG church property. There used to be two tennis courts there as well.
Augus and his wife built the first butchery in Island Street, off Main, now the Village Inn. The shop was built on the boundary of the property and when he added a little porch at the entrance the municipality taxed him and extra R50 for the use of their ground.
The original school was situated at Water Affairs. Later the new school was built in School Street, the dilapidated old building still exists. Some years ago it was used for an exercise class. This was all before the prefab shoal was built which is now painted a dark blue. In those early days Deneysville had, percentage-wise, more twins in the school than any other in the country. Of a total of 80 odd kids there were 7 sets of twins.
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