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Daily Maverick
24-07-2025
- Daily Maverick
Let peace creep into your soul — day drives in and around Richmond
Discover Richmond, the 'Book Town' and explore a place where art, literature and Northern Cape Karoo history intertwine. Richmond in the Northern Cape was once a sleepy little farmers' village where N1 travellers from Johannesburg or Cape Town stopped for refuelling and refreshments before resuming their journeys. Today, Richmond is a town with a constantly evolving social landscape. Now branded as a Booktown, it has seen the arrival of 'semigrants' from urban life, impressive investment in accommodation facilities and the establishment of a huge creative space in the form of the Modern Art Project of South Africa – MAP-SA. Your first day in Richmond is all about a local meander. Most visitors begin on the main street (Loop Street) with the Richmond Horse Museum (the only other one in existence is based in Kentucky, US), where curator Johan Tolken is only too pleased to provide an insightful tour of the wagons, saddles, histories and South African War artefacts. Then we go right next door to Richmond Books, Art and Photography, a converted house and courtyard full of literary tomes covering a variety of local and international subjects, in fiction and non-fiction forms. Karoo Creations, also on Loop Street, is where you'll pick up a selection of fine woollen duvets for cold winter nights. Lunch can be taken in the shady courtyard of Die Vetmuis Restaurant on the main street. After a brief rest out of the hot Karoo sun, we visit the MAP Gallery down the road and wander around the huge displays of South African contemporary art. The next morning we're off to Hanover, about 65km north of Richmond. We're leaving well before dawn, so that we can ascend the little hill (Trappieskoppie), watch the sun rise over the vast Karoo landscape and, if it's summertime and we're lucky, see thousands of Lesser Kestrels flying off in all directions for a day of feeding. After a late breakfast at the Hanover Lodge Hotel, we'll visit the Hanover Museum on Viljoen Street for a deep dive into the town's history. And then it's on to a tour of the magnificent Dutch Reformed Church across the road. Before the era of electricity the church chandeliers were powered by methane gas sourced from sheep dung. The day ends back in Richmond at the Saddles Bar, an atmospheric local drinking spot that keeps to the Karoo Equine theme of the region. And yes, the barstools are actually saddles. We leave Richmond as the first morning rays begin to tickle the steeple of the Moederkerk on the main road, and we drive west on dirt roads, following the signs to De Aar and Merriman. Today, we are going to look at what's left of Deelfontein, once a railside settlement during the South African War that bustled with the cacophony of military matters: troop trains leaving, hospital trains arriving, mounted regiments passing through with news from afar, daily traffic in the massive tent city and the occasional outflow of celebration from the officers' mess. In its time, it was said to have been the largest military field hospital in the southern hemisphere. At the height of its one-year existence as the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital, Deelfontein had 800 patients and 200 staff. Nearby stands the portico of The Yeomanry, a once-classic Karoo hotel that was inspired by the Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein, Western Cape. Know before you go Take your time meandering around Richmond and surrounds. The longer you stay, the more peace creeps into your soul. If you'd like to have a look inside the impressive church, ask for the verger ('koster'). In the restaurants the food is good and the portions generous. Visit all the bookshops and the antique shops, and remember that some establishments close over lunch. DM For an insider's view on life in the South African Heartland, get the Karoo Quartet set of books (Karoo Roads I-IV with black and white photographs) for only R960, including taxes and courier costs in South Africa. For more details, contact Julie at
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Krugersdorp's concentration camps remembered
The fourth edition of the Echoes of Krugersdorp series takes a heartfelt look at a significant chapter in history – the role of concentration camps in Krugersdorp during the South African War, more commonly known as the Second Boer War. Recently, the Krugersdorp News teamed up with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA) to revisit some of the past events and remarkable buildings that hold deep historical significance in our town. ALSO READ: Exploring Krugersdorp's historic post office Jaco Mattheyse, co-founder of the KHA, shared that to truly understand the events, we need to journey back to 1899 to 1902 and the eight months after the outbreak of the Second Boer War. Many tens of thousands of women and children were forcibly moved into the concentration camps as part of the Scorched Earth policies, where the British destroyed Boer farms as part of their efforts to win the war. Historical background In June 1900, following the annexation of the Orange Free State, British troops under Major-General Archibald Hunter entered Krugersdorp without resistance. Magistrate JC Human officially handed over the town's administration, and martial law was put in place. A public ceremony was held on Commissioner Street in front of the old magistrate's court, where the Union Jack was hoisted, marking the beginning of British military control. 'The British garrison set up its headquarters in Kilmarnock House, located at the corner of De Wet and Begin streets in Krugersdorp North. Additionally, a blockhouse was built on the hillside of Monument to supervise the town, manned by seven soldiers and four black men who acted as servants and watchmen. This blockhouse still stands today, nestled in the park across from Monument Primary School at the corner of Sarel Oosthuizen and Sarel Potgieter streets,' Jaco mentioned. He continued by explaining that under martial law, movement was strictly regulated. Public gatherings were not allowed, and permits were needed for those wishing to travel or even access the railway platform. As the war broke out, the closure of shops led to shortages of food and necessities. Thankfully, a few stores like Hompes and Seehoff, Harvey Greenacre, McCloskie, and Te Water reopened after the British occupation, offering much-needed support to the struggling townspeople, many of whom had depended on gold mining operations, which were halted. 'In response to these challenges, the Krugersdorp Women's League was formed. Initially focused on alleviating poverty, the league expanded its efforts to support residents of the newly established Krugersdorp concentration camp. In October 1901, a health committee was re-established to monitor public health in line with pre-war regulations. Under Proclamation 21 of 1900, all infectious diseases had to be reported, with doctors receiving a fee of 20 cents for each case. Proclamation 10 of 1901 assigned the responsibility for investigating sudden or suspicious deaths to the resident magistrate, and all births and deaths needed to be officially registered,' he explained. Jaco noted that with the annexation of the South African Republic (ZAR), all citizens became British subjects. Townspeople were prohibited from supporting the Boer commandos. Each household received a permit after an inventory of their belongings was taken to prevent provisions from reaching Boer fighters. Nonetheless, several elderly residents at the time, such as Dr Van der Merwe, Magistrate JC Human, and Mr MWP Pretorius, managed to sneak intelligence to the commandos by tying notes to stray dogs, as detailed in our previous article on the Krugersdorp Club. Human was placed under house arrest for his involvement but continued to assist the Boer forces discreetly. Life in Krugersdorp during the war was incredibly difficult. With little steady income and scarce money circulating, townspeople faced daily struggles for survival. 'Formal education was halted; the local Dutch Reformed [NG] Church school closed when the war began. In 1901, the British established an English-medium school. In response, local leader Mr JH Grundlingh created a private Dutch-medium school that served 100 learners, employing Miss F van Binnedyk and H Putten at five pounds per month,' he shared. The Krugersdorp concentration camp Jaco explained that, although relatively small compared to others, the Krugersdorp Concentration Camp was marked by its own tragedies. Located at the base of Monument Hill, the site now occupied by Dr Yusuf Dadoo (formerly Paardekraal) Hospital and Coronation Park held over 6 000 women and children by the end of 1901. 'The camp was unsanitary, overcrowded, and poorly managed, experiencing severe outbreaks of measles, pneumonia, and dysentery. The situation was worsened by malnutrition and contaminated water. October and November 1901 were particularly tragic, with a heartbreaking total of 105 deaths during those months,' he narrated. 'After the administration transitioned from military to civilian control under Mr Tomlinson and Dr Aymard, conditions improved. The Ladies' Commission of the town increased its support to camp families, focusing on food provision. Rations were distributed in two categories: Class 1 [surrendered or British-employed] and Class 2 [families of active Boers], with Class 2 receiving fewer rations. When available, additional maize meal and milk [for children under two] were also provided. Unfortunately, family size was not considered in rationing, resulting in widespread malnutrition. There were also reports of contaminants in the food. Families often had to scavenge for firewood or cow dung for cooking. Some women found work with British soldiers, taking on tasks like laundry in exchange for better treatment,' he concluded. Jaco commented that a large tent in the camp doubled as a church and school. For many Boer children, this was their first formal education, taught in English, part of Britain's policy to anglicise Afrikaners. Many teachers remained in South Africa after the war, forming the core of the emerging education system. 'According to 89-year-old Rachel Lindhout-Fourie, her grandfather 'Oom Klasie' helped bury victims, who were initially interred at the camp site and later reburied at Burgershoop Cemetery. The graves, uniform and unnamed due to the reburials, are said to contain up to four bodies in each grave, accounting for the estimated 1 800 dead.' The surviving Boer women and children were released from the concentration camps in November after the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed in May 1902, which formally ended the Second Boer War. Krugersdorp's native refugee camp Jaco claims that, less widely acknowledged, is the existence of one of the largest native refugee camps in the region. In July 1901, many black residents of the western Transvaal sought refuge with British forces. To enforce the displacement of Boer women and children, black farm labourers were also removed and resettled. 'The native refugee camp was first established on the farm Roodekranz No 83 IQ near Krugersdorp, and later moved to Waterval No 74 IQ due to better water access. Farming began under a self-sustenance policy, and by September 1902, the British government had negotiated a crop-sharing agreement with the landowner, Mr AHF du Toit. The camp housed 3 382 people in December 1901. Of these, 1 288 black men served the British Army, while a small number worked in private homes,' he said. Jaco explains that conditions were dire in these camps, often worse than in the white camps. Disease and famine claimed many lives, with pneumonia, measles, and dysentery being the leading causes. Missionaries, such as Reverend Farmer, reported on November 23, 1901, that they had to work hard all day, but the only food they got was mealies and mealie meal in the camp, and they had to buy this with their own money. Meat is unavailable at any price, and they were not allowed to shop freely. 'The camp was abolished in October 1902. Some inhabitants refused to return to Boer farms, hoping instead for better lives under British rule. However, famine persisted in the region, and the Krugersdorp grain depot was retained to support the devastated black communities,' he stated. Aftermath of the war Jaco stated that the war reshaped Krugersdorp society. Assistant Resident Magistrate Lt Phillips took over administration as families and prisoners of war returned. For the first six months post-war, repatriation and reconstruction dominated public life. He added a commission under the Assistant Resident Magistrate processed Boer claims for war damage compensation. Although aid, such as food and farming equipment, was available on credit, many Boers fell into severe debt. 'Large numbers of impoverished Afrikaners settled near the Burgershoop Brickfields, where they began producing hand-moulded clay bricks used in many early Krugersdorp buildings. This clay was sourced from the wetlands near what is now Harlequins Rugby Club. Today, little physical evidence remains of either the white or the native camps. The white campsite became Coronation Park in honour of King Edward VII's coronation in 1902. The native camp area was absorbed into the old Krugersdorp Game Reserve, and all that remains there are a few graves in the veld,' he concluded. 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