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The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Uncovering the Past: The forgotten story of Krugersdorp's first police station
What did law enforcement look like in Krugersdorp before modern policing? The answer lies in the town's first police station. In this ninth edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, produced in partnership with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), we explore a lesser-known chapter in the town's history: the old police station on Commissioner Street in the CBD. Jaco Mattheyse, co-founder of the KHA, said that to understand this building, one must consider the social and political landscape of Krugersdorp in the 1890s. • Also read: Synagogue and storefronts: One man's mark on Krugersdorp's past At the time, the District Township – known today as Krugersdorp North – was little more than a skeletal settlement with a few streets and scattered buildings. 'Yet it managed to avoid becoming a ghost town because it retained some permanent residents and held political legitimacy as an administrative centre. Its existence, however, had minimal impact on the British residents of the Stand Township [today's Krugersdorp CBD],' Jaco explained. Few references to the District Township appear in local newspapers or archives. Most historical records mention only the Stand Township. While the Stand Township had a distinctly British character with a largely English-speaking population, it remained under the governance of Dutch-speaking officials from the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR). Law and order were enforced by the Republican Police, and local courts were presided over by magistrates. 'The key official in town was the Mijn Kommissaris [gold commissioner], who issued mining claims and stand licences and, for all practical purposes, acted as the town's mayor. A small but prosperous Dutch-speaking middle class of professionals, shopkeepers, merchants and traders also lived in the Stand Township, ensuring a noticeable Dutch presence,' Jaco said. This, he noted, created an equilibrium between the Dutch-speaking officials who controlled the local state apparatus and the English-speaking commercial elite who dominated the town's economic and social life – an arrangement that mirrored the relationship between the District and Stand Townships. • Also read: Through war and worship: A church's 135-year story By the 1890s, Krugersdorp had grown into a permanent settlement. Along with the new train station and grander government buildings erected on the Market Square, a police station was constructed in 1897 to meet the needs of a growing population and rising crime. 'Yet the police station was more than a mere response to practical necessity. It also symbolised the growing Boer national chauvinism that emerged following the gold discoveries and the subsequent enrichment of the ZAR government,' Jaco said. Although built in the western section of town, seemingly undermining the idea that it was meant to project Boer power onto the English-speaking mining population, Jaco suggested that the station could still be viewed as a symbol of Boer authority. This symbolism becomes clearer when considering the ideological significance of the town's east-west spatial axis, just as the north-south axis held its own meaning. 'Initially, the site of today's Department of Home Affairs was considered for the police station, as it marked the western edge of town. Ultimately, the second and final site chosen was lower-lying and more removed from the mines, possibly because the land was cheaper. Still, symbolic considerations likely influenced this choice.' Architecturally, Jaco described the police station as quintessentially republican, featuring Dutch Neo-Renaissance gables, ornate sandstone detailing and red brick walls. To reinforce its nationalist message, the foundation stone was laid by President Paul Kruger himself. Measuring 26 metres in length, the building made a bold architectural statement. The Republican Police were tasked not only with maintaining law and order, but also with preserving Boer control over an increasingly restless Uitlander (foreigner) population on the West Rand. • Also read: A burning passion: The story of Krugersdorp's fire station 'The station formed part of a complex that included a large stable block, which has unfortunately been lost over time. The first station commander was Sergeant Sarel Eloff, the grandson of President Kruger and son of Frikkie Eloff. The building was unique in the old Transvaal – outside Pretoria and Johannesburg, it was rare for towns to boast such a grand police station. None of the smaller Transvaal towns could match it,' Jaco said. He also noted that several police residences were constructed in the District Township's 'sacred' north, using the same distinctive republican red brick. Their placement symbolically linked the north and west parts of town. Together, these buildings and their style served as a powerful visual reminder of Boer Republican authority. 'This was reinforced by the sight of Boer commandos parading through the streets and the visibility of the Republican Vierkleur flag at strategic points around the town. As a result, the predominantly British commercial hub, centred on the Luipaardsvlei Estate and the Gold Mining Company Limited, found itself surrounded by an assertive, nationalist Transvaal Republican environment.' This spatial strategy deepened with the establishment of the Boer residential area of Burghershoop, also founded in 1897. Located on the town's western periphery, Burghershoop consisted of free government stands allocated to impoverished, marginalised Dutch-speaking Boers. Many of these settlers had been displaced from the land during the 1890s due to the capitalist transformation of agriculture, which replaced traditional sharecropping (bywoner) arrangements with wage labour. 'The devastating rinderpest outbreak in the late 1890s further contributed to the settlement's growth. The founding of Burghershoop, the western positioning of the police station, the Transvaal Republican architectural styles, and the visible nationalist displays by the Krugersdorp Commando all signalled an intentional imposition of Boer nationalist ideology onto what had previously been a more cosmopolitan town.' Later, the old police station was converted into sleeping quarters for officers after a new station was built next door. Like the old train station, it was plastered and painted white at some point. By the 1980s, the building had become severely dilapidated, but it was eventually restored to its original appearance. Plans to repurpose it as a museum sadly never materialised. Today, the building stands mostly vacant once more, its red bricks beginning to show the strain of time. A landmark of strength and symbolism in its day, the old Krugersdorp police station now awaits a new chapter – its walls still echoing the ambitions of a bygone era.
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Anglican delegation visits historic Chinese temples in Kuching for cultural exchange
Wee (front, fifth left) in a photocall with visiting delegates at the Tua Pek Kong Temple. KUCHING (July 5): A delegation from the House of the Epiphany – Anglican Diocese of Kuching paid a visit to the historic Tua Pek Kong and Hong San Si temples today as part of a cultural exchange aimed at deepening interfaith understanding. The group was welcomed by Datuk Richard Wee, chairman of the Kuching Chinese Community Charitable Trust and president of the Kuching Hockien Association (KHA), who highlighted Sarawak's enduring tradition of religious harmony and mutual respect. 'Sarawak government has promoted religious freedom and since the establishment of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), annual grants have been provided for temples, churches, Sikh temples and others to relieve their financial pressure,' he said during an exchange session at the KHA's premises after the visits. Delegates were shown videos of previous events organised by the two temples, which showcased the vibrant and living traditions of local Taoist culture and its contribution to community life. Wee shared that early Chinese settlers from southern China had built temples as places of prayer for peace and prosperity, many of which still stand today as symbols of their contribution to Sarawak's development. He said in Sarawak, ancient temples can be seen in areas with a long history, proving that the Chinese ancestors settled down here and participated in the local development. Tua Pek Kong Temple, believed to have been built as early as 1820, is regarded as the oldest temple in Sarawak and continues to attract thousands of devotees each year. Managed by the Chinese Community Charitable Trust, it is not only a place of worship but also a cultural landmark bearing witness to the transformation of Kuching city over the decades. Wee noted that similar Tua Pek Kong temples can be found throughout Sarawak, many established during the opening of trade ports in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Located nearby, Hong San Si Temple houses the revered Guang Ze Zun Wang deity and holds special significance for the Hockien community. Wee said the temple regularly hosts festivals, with the annual birthday parade for the deity being the most significant. The parade involves more than 200 participating teams and has become a major cultural event, drawing diverse local communities and tourists alike. 'We hope that our visiting delegates will take this opportunity to understand the beliefs of the Chinese community as well as appreciate the beauty of Kuching,' said Wee.
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Synagogue and storefronts: One man's mark on Krugersdorp's past
In the eighth edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, which the Krugersdorp News partnered-up with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), we explore the life of one of the town's earliest, and arguably most fascinating, pioneers, Abner Cohen, who helped transform a scattering of iron shanties into the Krugersdorp we know today. Co-founder of the KHA, Jaco Mattheyse, shared Cohen's story with the News, which started in London. Cohen was born to Jewish parents around 1860, and like many others of his time, decided to immigrate to Southern Africa, arriving in 1881. He soon made his way north toward the diamond fields and, after the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand, travelled to the Transvaal Republic. Remarkably, he even took the time to learn the local 'Kitchen Dutch' (early Afrikaans) spoken by the Boers. On his journey to Johannesburg, Cohen pitched his tent on a rocky outcrop about 30km west of the town, a spot that would later become the heart of Krugersdorp. In doing so, he became the first English settler in the area. Besides the Paardekraal Monument, he built a humble wattle-and-daub hut and opened his first business, the Monument Hotel and Store. Unfortunately, the conservative Boer government under Paul Kruger viewed this as an irreverent intrusion upon sacred ground. • Also read: Through war and worship: A church's 135-year story 'He was swiftly ordered to vacate the site and was effectively cast down into the profane mining camp forming in the valley below,' Mattheyse said. Cohen made a contrite journey on foot to Pretoria to plead with the authorities for forgiveness. 'Eventually, his efforts bore fruit. He was granted a commercial stand in the newly laid-out town, where he built his Court Bar and a second Monument Hotel. His was the only commercial stand in the entire government block, bounded by Monument, Ockerse, Kruger and Commissioner streets. 'Ironically, his new saloon stood right next to the courthouse, a symbol of secular Boer authority, where a commemorative plaque marking the location still survives today. Though displaced from the original monument site, he had re-established himself in the rough-and-tumble heart of Krugersdorp's early mining settlement.' Years later, Mattheyse said, Cohen sold the Court Bar to make room for the expansion of the court buildings. He used the proceeds to purchase several erven, consolidating them into a small peri-urban estate that he proudly called Homelands. • Also read: A burning passion: The story of Krugersdorp's fire station 'Cohen felt welcome and secure enough to plant roots so close to the very monument from which he had once been evicted, which speaks volumes about the spirit of reconciliation in early Krugersdorp. 'The Monument Hotel passed through several hands, and in the 1930s, the present Majestic Hotel was constructed on the same corner. A foundation stone there still pays tribute to Cohen.' Among his many contributions to the town, Mattheyse believed that Cohen helped establish the Krugersdorp Jewish community in 1894. 'As president of the congregation, he successfully petitioned President Kruger for two valuable freehold sites for communal use. 'Cohen was on friendly terms with President Paul Kruger, but he felt slighted when Kruger granted only two stands to the Jewish community. When Cohen questioned this decision, Kruger reportedly replied that the Jewish faith only followed half of the Bible [the Old Testament as found in the Torah] and they would receive only half the number of church stands typically allocated by the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek.' He pointed out that, in 1903, Cohen laid the foundation stone for Krugersdorp's first synagogue, right in the town centre. 'Cohen also played a role in the development of Bulawayo and Rhodesia. Though he was not involved in the 1895 conspiracy against the Boer government, he maintained close ties with members of the Reform Committee. Some indiscreet remarks he made led to a brief period of imprisonment, and he later passed away in 1937 at the age of 77. He is buried in the Jewish section of the Old Burgershoop Cemetery.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Through war and worship: A church's 135-year story
In the seventh edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, the Krugersdorp News explores the history of the town's oldest surviving church. Recently, the News, together with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), revisited some of the past events and remarkable buildings that hold deep historical significance in our town. • Also read: A burning passion: The story of Krugersdorp's fire station KHA co-founder Jaco Mattheyse explained that before 1890, members of the Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk) in the Krugersdorp area were served by the Pretoria congregation. However, with the establishment of Krugersdorp during the early days of the Witwatersrand gold rush, a local congregation became a necessity. 'The first congregation gathering took place on 18 November 1889 in the home of M.P.W. Pretorius, owner of the farm Paardekraal, on which Krugersdorp was established. At the time, Pretorius lived on the corner of President and Kruger Streets. The Krugersdorp congregation was officially founded on 7 June 1890. Shortly afterwards, proponent H.C.J. Becker was confirmed as its first minister on 6 September 1890, marking the beginning of a new era of spiritual life and community building in the young mining town,' he said. Mattheyse noted that the church initially ran a school in the same space where services were held, and a manse (pastorie) was built in Ockerse Street in 1891. Eventually, funds were raised for a dedicated church building, and the cornerstone was laid by Rev. Becker on 7 April 1894. The building stood on a block bounded by Rissik, Ockerse, Church, and Joubert Streets, on stands granted by the Transvaal Government under President Paul Kruger. The church was consecrated in January 1895. Among the deacons was T.J. Bedford, who later served as Market Master. The church's opening was a major event, attended by 158 wagons, along with horsemen and cart proprietors. 'The open land between Kobie Krige Street and Bob van Reenen Stadium served as a church square for Boer congregation members arriving by wagon for Nagmaal Naweek. These four weekends per year were used for ceremonies such as confirmations, baptisms and communion,' Jaco explained. 'Built in the Norman-Gothic style, the church cost £6,000. While English-speaking miners may have admired the structure, it also highlighted a cultural and linguistic divide. The sight of hundreds of Dutch-speaking white families gathering at the imposing Dutch Reformed Church echoed what historian Roy Rappaport called 'redundancy' – the repetition of built messages to reinforce shared values and identity. The planned clock was never installed, and the bells were temporarily housed in a wooden structure nearby. The church also hosted the funeral of the burgers (citizens and soldiers) of the South African Republic who died during the Jameson Raid. They are buried in the old Burgershoop Cemetery,' he continued. Becker was succeeded by Rev. F.G.T. Radloff from Hoopstad, installed on 17 December 1898. His ministry coincided with the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), a difficult period marked by civilian suffering, British-run concentration camps, and Boer prisoners of war. Rev. Radloff and his wife distinguished themselves through their compassion and service, ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of women and children in concentration camps and prisoners of war. Under his leadership, a relief committee was formed, a lasting testament to the church's mission during times of crisis. Radloff retired on 11 October 1914 and was succeeded by Rev. P.J. van Vuuren (1915–1921), whose tenure was noted for strong financial management that eliminated the congregation's significant debt. 'The next minister, Rev. Jacobus Joubert Krige – brother of Mrs 'Ouma' Issie Smuts, wife of Jan Smuts – was installed on 21 April 1922. He served faithfully for 14 years until his sudden passing from a stroke on 29 October 1936 at Paardekraal Hospital. Dingaan Street, leading to the current President Hyper, was renamed Kobie Krige Street in his honour, and a memorial was erected on the church grounds,' Jaco said. In November 1937, Rev. Archibald Thomas Martinson took over. Under his leadership, the church grew alongside the town's expanding population and the development of the West Rand. Several daughter congregations were established: • Roodepoort – 1905 • Magaliesburg – 1910 • Randpoort (later Randgate) – 1918 • Burgershoop (later Krugersdorp-West, and eventually Suiderlig) – 1920 • Krugersdorp-Noord – 1943 'The appointment of Rev. C.C. van Dyk as the first co-minister on 29 November 1941 was another milestone. He later became the first minister of the newly formed Krugersdorp-Noord congregation in 1944. During this time, the Krugersdorp congregation remained at the forefront of Christian outreach, education, and social services. Thanks to ministers like Rev. Martinson, the congregation contributed significantly to mission work, poverty relief, Sunday schools, church associations and Christian education,' he said. By 1952, the mother congregation had around 1,350 members, led by a church council of 56 elders and deacons. In October 1951, Prop. T.J. Hanekom was appointed co-minister, followed by others such as P.W. Marais (1954–1955) and Pieter Willem Marais (1962–1964). Mattheyse added that the church underwent extensive renovations between 1960 and 1961. The corrugated iron roof was replaced with slate, the tower was modified for structural stability, resulting in the removal of the original Victorian cast-iron weather vane, and the interior was updated with new ceilings beneath the hammer beam trusses and a full repaint. The original organ loft above the pulpit remains visible today. 'In the 1950s and 1960s, the church used a house near the corner of Kruger and Luipaard Streets as a manse. Like many inner-city congregations, Krugersdorp saw a decline in membership during the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st, due to urban migration, demographic shifts and changing community dynamics. In 2010, the congregation merged with the neighbouring Luipaardsvlei congregation, marking the end of a significant chapter in local church history. Today, the church hall serves the Krugersdorp community as the Tower of Life, a shelter for the homeless,' Jaco concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
17-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
A burning passion: The story of Krugersdorp's fire station
In the sixth edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, the Krugersdorp News looks at the history of a building almost every resident could recognise: The Krugersdorp Fire Station in the CBD. Recently, the News, together with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), revisited some of the past events and remarkable buildings that hold deep historical significance in our town. One of these buildings includes the fire station located on Commissioner Street. • Also read: Exploring Krugersdorp's historic post office Co-founder of the KHA, Jaco Mattheyse, said that the designed architecture from the late 1930s includes the fire station of 1939. He said that when selecting a site for a fire station, several critical factors were considered. Foremost was the road network of the town. The station must be easily accessible from all areas, particularly high-risk zones. Ideally, it should be situated near the town centre, along a main road, but away from areas of heavy traffic. If possible, it should also be located between the hospital and the area where the majority of the population resides. In Krugersdorp, the process of identifying and eliminating potential sites was a lengthy one, extending over several years. 'This followed the decision to build a dedicated fire station, as the Town Hall, which had housed the fire department and the library, had become too small by the early 1930s,' he said. Jaco explained that the site eventually selected was at the eastern end of Commissioner Street, where this road, via a swan-neck bend, once joined Coronation Road – both parts of Albertina Sisulu Road (the old Main Reef Road). The land had originally been an appendix to Coronation Park, but due to its narrow shape and dense stand of old blue gum trees, it was unsuitable for garden development. (This was before any plans existed to widen and extend the road that would later become Paardekraal Drive.) He continued, by constructing the fire station on this site and redesigning the surrounding area, several key town-planning improvements were achieved, including: • A site ideally suited for a fire station was created • Traffic conditions improved with the extension of Commissioner Street beyond the old Coronation Park gates. After passing the fire station on the north side, the road rejoined Coronation Road via a gentle curve • A dignified visual approach to Commissioner Street was established, enhanced by the formal landscaping and the stately trees in the background • A monumental entrance to Coronation Park – then regarded as one of the most beautiful parks in the country – was constructed further east • The fire station itself became an imposing and original architectural feature, befitting its prominent location The design of the fire station thoughtfully addressed its dual function: The co-ordination of firefighting and ambulance services. 'Two separate but equally-sized garages were provided – one for fire engines and one for ambulances – arranged so that the operations of the two services would not interfere with each other. Separate entrances and exits were created for each,' he explained. Further, the control room on the ground floor was strategically positioned so that the person on duty, behind a soundproof counter, could oversee the entire station. From this point, they had full visibility of the main entrance, the receiving room, the staircase to the upper level, and the engine and ambulance bays at either end of the curved watch room. This ensured the duty officer was truly at the heart of the station. The interior layout also reflected the need for rapid response to emergencies. Features such as a circular staircase, semi-circular corridors, and wide doorways helped to eliminate obstructions and facilitate quick movement during alarms. 'The ground floor also included various offices and utility rooms. Upstairs, the first floor housed a recreation room, mess room, and reading room, along with single men's quarters. A collapsible glazed partition separated the mess and recreation rooms, allowing them to be combined into a single large space for social events or lectures. Additional rooms and a drill terrace were also planned on the upper floor, with a drill tower to be erected later behind the station,' he added. Jaco continued that the enclosed yard was paved and drained to a sump, allowing it to be used for pump training exercises. East of the station, but within the same block, cottages were built for brigade officers. These faced the now-vanished extension of Commissioner Street. With their attractive surroundings and nearby (now abandoned) sports facilities, the station was seen as an ideal place for firefighters to live and work. 'The plans were prepared by the town engineer's department under Mr AS Posthumus. Mr SJ Eloff was the general contractor for the buildings. The estimated total cost of the project was about £15 000, around R30m in today's terms. 'The building still serves its original purpose, though some alterations have been made, such as the bricking up of the Commissioner Street-facing doors. It has also recently been repainted,' Jaco concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
