In April 1952, South Africa looked back with pride over three hundred years of achievement and expansion. Now in 1957, those of us who live in, and love Rondebosch, feel we have good cause to commemorate with gladness and gratitude the tercentenary of its founding, with the establishment of the Free Burghers along the Liesbeek River in March 1657. Until then, the settlement at the Cape had been only a victualling station; but that date saw the birth of a nation, for from those early farms civilization gradually spread over Southern Africa.

And what of Rondebosch itself? Could any nation wish for a lovelier “cradle of the race”? Untamed as it was in 1657, those early settlers fell in love with its streams and glades and mountain-slopes, and with the wonderful shelter it afforded from the turbulent winds that harassed them in Cape Town. The progress of three centuries has so far not dimmed its beauty, though it needs to be guarded jealously in these “flat-ridden” days, and we residents need to be more alive, not only to our civic rights, but also to our public responsibilities.

“Rondebosch Down the Years” is an attempt to tell the story of our suburb from 1657 to 1957, and to take stock of its position today. Compiled at extremely short notice, the brochure is a very modest effort, and we regret it has been impossible in the time available to make it fully bilingual. South Africans will nevertheless be grateful to the contributors, who freely devoted their time and knowledge in an effort to mark the historical occasion. The subject deserves more serious study — the material exists, and we hope this little book will be merely the prelude to a volume which will really present the history of Rondebosch in a worthy form.

In 1657 Rondebosch became a farming community. Today, above all else, it is an educational centre, with a great population of children and young people — the future citizens of South Africa. We hope their school and student days here will be happy ones, that they will learn what Rondebosch has achieved since 1657, and will develop a pride, a love, and a loyalty which will lead them in their turn to do great things for their country. “From quiet homes and first beginnings, out to the undiscovered ends”, may their Rondebosch days inspire them to be worthy of their fine heritage, and to make the coming century even more fruitful than those which have gone before.

Meer as 600 bekende, invloedryke en gesiene persone is hier begrawe en die inligting is nou beskikbaar op Ancestry24. Baie van hulle het ‘n belangrike bydrae gelewer op verskillende gebiede in hul gemeenskap.

Die lys is weliswaar onvolledig as gevolg van beskadigde en onleesbare grafstene. Van die name sluit in:

Petrus Borchardus Borcherds oorl. 1871, eerste resident magistraat van die Kaap skrywer van die bekende Borcherd’s Memoirs 1861 en

Janetta Joh. Blanckenberg oorl. 1861, sy vrou.

Egbert Andries Buyskes oorl. 1865, einaar van “Onder Schuur” (tans Westbrooke) leidende rol in stigting van gemeente van Wynberg, scriba van kerkraad en Eliz. Buyskes oorl. 1865, sy vrou.

Carl Gerhard Blanckenberg oorl. 1861, jarelang ouderling van die gemeente en Anna Catharina Blanckenberg, oorl. 1894. Van haar skryf De Kerkbode:

“Zij had den heegen ouderdon van ruim 92 jaren bereikt, gedurende welken tijd zij ruimschoots bevijzen gaf van hare innige belangstelling in de geestelijke en stoffelijke welvaart der gemeente, waarvan zij een voorbeeldig lid was. Armen klopten nooit tevergeefs aan hare deur; scholen opgericht in de gemeente vonden bij haar warme en milddindige ondersteuning. De Kerk en hare inrichtingen van Zending, Doofstommen en Kweekschool ontving van haar steeds ruime bijdragen.”

Ds. Philip Eduard Faure oorl. 1862, eerste leraar van die gemeente Wynberg wat hy onafgebroke vir 48 jaar gedien het, vier maal Moderator en drie maal Assessor van die Kaapse Kerk. Kurator van die Teologies Kweekskool waarvan hy een van die stigtern was (Pheleppi na hom vernoem en)

Anna Maria Wilh. Faure gebore Cambler oorl. 1875, sy vrou.

Jean Cambier oorl. 1863, haar vader Kapt-Luitenant van Vloot aan die Kaap onder Betaafse bewind en Wilhelmina Cambier oorl. 1854, sy vrou.

Ds. G.F.C. Faustmann, leraar van gemeente Wynberg, oorl. 1948 en Amalia Eliz. Wilh. Faustmann oorl. 1925, sy vrou.

J. Cambler Faure oorl. 1897, magistraat Kaapstad, seun van Ds. Philip Faure.

Danie Hendrik Visser oorl. 1942, asst. Klerk Kaapse parlement 1907-10, asst. Klerk Unie parlement 1910-20. Klerk van die Volksraad 1920-40 (lg. pos is vanaf 1961 bekend as sekretaris en Anna Magdalena Visser gebore Mostert oorl. 1944, sy vrou.

Cornelis de Kock oorl. 1856, voorleser van die gemeente vanaf 1836, eerste sending arbeider v.d. gemeente en Magtelda de Kock oorl. 1856, sy vrou.

Gabriel Jac. Vos de Kock oorl. 1897, seun van vorige, meer as 50 jaar hoof van die Sondagskool van die gemeente en Martha Theodora de Kock oorl. 1870, sy vrou.

Hendrik Cornelis Dreyer, geb. “Moedersbewys” (tans Kelvin) oudeling en kassier van die gemeente Wynberg.

Jonas Michiel Hidding oorl. 1888, Mediese dokter, kerkraadslid, einaar van Nuwelandhuis en bierbrouery en Maria Cath. Hidding geb. Cloete, oorl. 1907, sy vrou

Stephanus Petrus Lategan oorl. 1891, einaar van “Buiteverwachting”, Constantia.

Jacob Gustav Letterstedt Dreyer oorl. 1907, eienaar van “Kleine Schuur”, stigter van gemeente Rondebosch en Joh. Dor. Letterstedt Dreyer oorl. 1928, sy vrou

Joh. Louisa Morgenrood oorl. 1879, skenker van orrel aan gemeente 1879. Philip Dominiqui Morgenrood,  en sy vrou.

Oloff Joh. Truter oorl. 1841 (groot grafkelder ) ere scriba v.d. gemeente, seun van Sir John Truter eerste hoofregter v.d. Kaap. Ander lede van Truter fam. O.a. Oloff John. Jr eerste dopeling van die gemeente 1829

Petronella Anna Wilh. Nellie Brink oorl. 1905, stigter van die Ladies Seminary op versoek van Ds. Strasheim, tweede leraar van die gemeente. Word later Wynberg Girls High School.

Eerw. Barend Pienaar oorl. 1928, leraar N.G. Sendingkerk Wynberg.

Alexander Brown M.D. oorl. 1867 aan die groot koors epidemie. Eerste mediese dokter aan die Kaap om gelisensieer te word deur die nuutgestigte Cape Medical Committee; uitgebreide praktyk onder die armes, dikwels in diens van die N.G. Kerk Wynberg.

Aletta Hendrina Brown oorl. 1879, dogter van Ds. Philip Faure

Jan Gys. Reynier Cambier Faure oorl. 1897, magistraat Kaapstad, seun v. Ds. Faure.

Anna Narua v. Ryneveld oorl. 1864 “relict of the late Honoratus Maynier Esq.” in der waarheid sy weduwee. Hy was einaar van “Protea” (tans Bishopscourt) seun van Landros Maynier van Swellendam.

Georg McCall Theal oorl. 1919, beroemde geskiedkundige en skrywer oor S.A. geskiedenis oor 50 jaar. Sy portret, geskilder deur Roworth, hang in S.A. Biblioteek in Kaapstad. Dr. Dan Sleigh skryf van hom – “’n pionier van die S.A.Biblioteek in altesaam het hy meer as 70 volumes van groot omvang en gehalte gepubliseer.” En Mary Stewart oorl. 1911, sy vrou.

Ou Kaapse Families:

Cloete Familie van “Plumstead”, “Constantia” en “Alphen”.

o.a. Dirk oorl. 1894, eerste Cloete eienaar van “Alphen”, seun van Ryk Arnoldus Mauritius, eerste ouderling v.d. gemeente, donateur van eerste preekstoel.

Van der Byl familie van Groote Schuur

o.a. Hester Anna oorl. 1909 wed. van Joh. Alb. Van der Byl grootmoeder van Maj. Piet v.d. Byl.

Versveld familie van “Claasenbosch”.

Eksteen familie

o.a. Dirk Gysbert oorl. 1855 op “Boschbeek”, eerste diaken van gemeente Wynberg

Jan Willem oorl. 1875, eienaar van “Zorgvliet”, Rondebosch.

Dirk Gysbert oorl. 1909, sy seun.

Van Reenen familie van “Welgelegen”

o.a. Sebastiaan oorl. 1885.

Familie Koopmans en De Wet van Strandstraat, Kaapstad.

Adv. Johannes de Wet oorl.1875, lid van Kaapse Parlement.

Adriana D. Horak oorl. 1868, sy vrou.

Maria Koopmans de Wet oorl. 1906, sy dogter, die merkwaardigste vrou van haar tyd, Kamvegter vir die behoud van on Kultuurerfenis. Deur haar vertoë aan Rhodes is die Kasteel gered van sloping. Ook Kampvegter vir die Nederlandse en Afrikaanse taal,.

Onwrikbare ondersteuner van die Boere-saak tydens die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog. Van haar skrywe Dr. Pama: “ Indeed the Cape never saw a woman of her calibre again “.

Margaretha J. oorl. 1909, sy dogter

Johan C.Koopmans oorl. 1880, man van Maria.

Buissinnefamilie,gesiene lidmate van die kerk oor verskeie geslagte, etlike nalatenskappe aan die gemeente.

Alexander Jak.van Breda oorl. 1889, Ouderling van die gemeente, eienaar van die plaas “Boshof” (kleinseun van Alexander (1775-1842) in wie se tyd die vergadering gehou is op 7 Junie 1829 wat gelei het tot die stigting can die gemeenteWynberg. Hy self word eerste hoofouderling. Hy, asook sy seun Jakobus Alexander, ook ouderling, is albei op Boshof begrawe.) en

Hester Eliz. V. Breda. Oorl. 1867, eerste vrou van Alex. Jak.

Mary West v. Breda oorl. 1888, tweede vrou van Alex. Jak.

Master Builder of Cape Town

William J. Morris was born on the 11th February 1826 in Oxon, England, and was employed by the Duke of Marlborough as a game keeper when he developed pulmonary tuberculosis during the severe winter of 1856. His doctor recommended that he move to a sunnier climate.

Not long after this William was accepted, together with his wife and three children, for the Sir George Grey Immigration Scheme. In screening the prospective applicants, there were some basic requirements: good health, sober habits, industrious, good moral character, and in the habit of working for wages (as promulgated by Act No. 8 of 1857). From these regulations it would seem that a person with T.B. would certainly not have been accepted, and as the gentleman in question lived to the grand age of 90, and certainly worked industriously on arrival in the Cape (not conducive to a sickly person) the circumstances appear to dispel such a legend.

Standard Bank, Adderley Street

The journey to the Cape was aboard the vessel named “Edward Oliver” under the command of Master J. Baker. The ship departed from Birkenhead on 10th July 1858, and after 57 days at sea arrived in Table Bay on 5th September 1858. Little is known about the voyage excepting 14 deaths were recorded and seven births took place on board. Listed as the ships surgeon was Dr. Fred Johnson as well as trained teacher Mr. Tom Gibbs who were to care for the passenger’s health and education. It is possible that it was not a pleasant journey for the Morris family remembering that the three children Richard, Kate and William were still young and the latter being under twelve months of age.

The majority of the artisans and tradesmen had been fixed up with immediate employment, as there was a great demand for skilled and semi-skilled men for the new railway track being constructed from Cape Town to Wellington, as well as the harbour construction project in Table Bay.

Not long after Williams arrival he leased some land at the top end of Duke Road in Rondebosch, then a distant suburb of Cape Town, and very reminiscent of Wychwood Forest and his native Oxfordshire. This piece of land was developed into a market garden and the family lived in a nearby cottage.

It was whilst William J. Morris and family were living in Rondebosch that on 29 April 1862 their youngest son Benjamin Charles Morris was born and baptized in St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Rondebosch, whereby his father (William) declared his occupation as a “gardener” and place of residence as “Rouwkoop Road”, Rondebosch. Click here to search these church records.

Benjamin Charles Morris's Baptism Record

Richard H. Morris was still a growing boy of just 8 years old. By the age of 14 years and still living in Rondebosch, he was indentured to Alexander Bain, a shipbuilder/shipwright of 17 Chiappini Street, Cape Town as an apprentice carpenter/shipwright.

Although the new suburban railway from Cape Town to Wynberg had been opened to the public in 1865, Richard was obliged to walk from Rondebosch to the North Wharf in Dock Road, Cape Town as transport was too expensive for his meager earnings. However, he was soon organized in getting a “lift” from the coachman he befriended who worked for the governor of Rustenburg House. Richard secured his free lift on the footman’s place at the rear of the coach, where he would sit in reasonable comfort for the journey which took him to the Castle. Unfortunately this mode of travel did not operate for the return journey home, nor did it operate during the winter months, so Richard just had to “jog”.

It would appear that the last train from Cape Town to Wynberg in the afternoons was scheduled for departure from the city at 5pm, but needless to say as an apprentice, Richard was still working at the shipyard. Despite the arduous circumstances of his youth, the enforced exercise proved most beneficial a few years later when he entered into competitive sport i.e. race rowing, especially as Richard was just over 5ft. tall and weighed less than 60 kilos.

During 1870, the Bain’s Shipyard was taken over by Mr. Christopher Robertson, as specialist in sailing ships and wooden masts, and as Richard was learning his trade with three other young apprentices, he was taught the art of shaping a sailing vessel’s mast with the hand spokeshave. The firm from then on was known as “Robertson & Bain” which continued operating in Dock Road, Cape Town for several decades, specializing in the supply of wooden masts for sea-going sailing ships.

Before carrying on with the life story of Richard H. Morris it is important to mention that the Anglican Church of St. Johns on the corner of Long and Waterkant Street had been built in 1856. It was at this church that during the 1860′s Richard became a choir boy and in 1872 a Sunday School Teacher.

In 1876 the Templar rowing club started in Cape Town where Richard and his brother were both members and enthusiastic oarsmen.

The christening of the personally constructed fast rowing boat by Richard came as no surprise by the owners of Robertson and Bain. The name of the boat was called the “Alpha”.

In 1882 the construction of a row of cottages built by Wm. J. Morris and his brother Richard (father & son) was started in Upper Church and Longmarket Streets and were to be called “Lorne Cottages” in honour of the Lorne Rowing Club which was started in Cape Town in 1875 and named after the Scottish Firth near Island of Mull of Kintyre.
On Saturday 6th June 1885 Richard married Helen Ann Lyell in St. John’s church. The newly married couple went that day to “Lorne Cottages” to make their permanent home and raise a family.

Richard and Helen Ann Lyell's Marriage Certificate

Helen was in fact a little girl of ten years old when she first encountered Richard. That was when he was in his twenties and he was late for work and was running along the road when he accidentally knocked over a little girl. He tried to console her, and from this time onwards a very special friendship developed.

It was in the same church that Richard’s younger brother William John married Matilda Jane Altree on 25th August 1886 and a younger brother married in St. Paul’s in Rondebosch on 14th September 1887. It is interesting to note that St. John’s Church was deconsecrated after the last evening service in June 1970 as the ground and building was sold, after much pressure from business interests, for an astronomical amount, and the church was completely demolished to make way for the present modern commercial complex known as “St. Johns Place”. Click here to search these church records.

In 1884 Richard Morris as cox and his brother of the “Templar Club” had their first win as champions winning both “Maiden Oarsmen” and “Championship of Table Bay” events.

In June 1878 Richard H. Morris went into partnership with friend & neighbour Chas. Algar from Rondebosch, who had known the Morris family for quite some time. Little known to Chas was that Richard was to be the future brother-in-law to his sister Bertha Algar.

The first workshops of Algar and Morris were at 39 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town. (between Long and Loop Street ). But misfortune was the cause of the break-up of the working partnerships as the 30-year-old Chas Algar died suddenly on 4th October 1883.

Banking institutions were now playing a major role in the economy of the country and in 1883 Richard Morris landed the contract to build the Standard Bank in Adderley Street for the amount of £32,000 – the two storied building was designed in neo-classical style by Charles Freeman. Two additional floors were added on by Morris in 1921.

Richard made a repeat performance in May 1885 wining the 2 mile race in 15 minutes and 55 seconds.

March 1886 saw the arrival of Richard and his wife Helen’s daughter Kate as well as Richard wining the “Champion of Table Bay” for the third consecutive year.

Eleven years after the death of Chas Algar, Richard Morris secured the construction contract for the new City Club in Queen Victoria Street for a sum of £22,000.

Between the years of 1888 and 1895 Helen Morris gave birth to Edith, Bertha and William Henry Morris, the only son to Richard.

By 1896 Richard H. Morris had become known as a builder of distinguished quality and workmanship and the fame of R.H. Morris had spread. Herbert Baker had met Richard on several occasions and took immediately to this man who built with such fine quality and precision. It was then that R.H. Morris secured the prestige contract for the restoration of “Groote Schuur”, after the building had been extensively destroyed by fire.

Richard H. Morris by 1899 had workshops in both 52 Rose Street and 173 Longmarket Street. In 1902 Frank Lardner joined the staff of R.H. Morris and in 1911 he became the manager.

Father, William James Morris, died at the old age of ninety years on 22 March 1915. In 1919 the company of R. H. Morris (Pty) Ltd was officially formed to cope with the new lumber contract in Knysna. It was from this time onwards that R.H. Morris was renowned throughout Southern Africa for the excellent workmanship and quality in carpentry all starting from old Mr. Morris himself. School desks, church pews and altars were manufactured in their joinery shop for years to come. The items were delivered as far away as Botswana, Rhodesia, Zambia and Mozambique. Along with the desk and school equipment Morris ink wells and stands were also produced.

The Morris workshop also manufactured one of the very few original gramophones that were ever produced in South Africa and which was called a “melophone”. Many of these items can be seen on display in the Educational Museum in Aliwal Road, Wynberg today.

Sadness unfortunately halted joy when Richard and Helen Morris celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 6th June 1935 and then on 24 July Helen tragically passed away at home as well as Bertha, wife of Benjamin Morris, on the 6th December.

Richard at the age of 83 years old in 1936 retired from the construction industry and handed the reigns over to Frank Lardner. Frank ran the company until 1942 when he passed away. The business was then handed over to a young civil engineer, Clifford Harris. The existing premises of Rose and Longmarket Street were finally vacated when the furniture workshops and Building /Civil Engineering were consolidated and new premises built in Ndabeni.

In April 1949 Richard Henry Morris succumbed to natural causes and passed away at the age of 95 years and 5 months.

This was certainly not the end of an era for R.H. Morris Pty Ltd – as in 1952 the company was given financial backing for the New Municipal Market at Epping in Cape Town by the British Engineering giant Humphreys. The firm is no longer associated with the family. Later the company was taken over by the Fowler Group and is now in the hands of Group Five Construction who have retained the image of the name in perpetuating the fine record of the founder Richard Henry Morris.

Many of the other buildings in Cape Town which were either completed by or alterations were performed on, include the University of Cape Town, Diocesan College in Rondebosch, Music School at U.C.T. as well as many Sir Herbert Baker buildings.

In 1995 when much of this research was done I managed to find a second “melophone” and an original “Morris” desk for sale which ex-Managing Director Frank Wright was extremely grateful for me finding these wonderful company artifacts. Shortly before the final documents were found I also located the grand nephew of R.H. Morris who very kindly gave me the medal won by Richard in the “Championship of Table Bay”. This is now on display in the boardroom of Group Five Construction in Plum Park, Plumstead in the Cape.

Authors: Heather MacAlister and H.W Haddon

Johanna Zeeman

Very few of us are likely to live to the age of 100, nor can many of us brag about a relative or ancestor who has reached their centenary.With modern lifestyles of awareness of health and exercise people are generally living longer with less disabilities or mental illnesses.

Good record keeping is imperative for us to verify the correct dates of birth and ages of our ancestors to prove that they are indeed the aged stipulated on either their death certificates or on their birth certificates. One of these wonderful centenarians is Johanna Maria Francina Zeeman, born Oostendorp, who turned 100 years old on the 10th January 2007.

Johanna is no ordinary lady, and after marrying William Benjamin Zeeman in St. Paul’s Church, Cape Town, in 1927, she was one of the first to apply for her own home through the “Sunnyside Housing Project” in Athlone. The loan was approved that same year, and to this day the family still live a few metres away from the original home, in Denchworth Road, Athlone.

Johanna was widowed in May 1950, when Benjamin took ill and died. She was left penniless with 7 children to raise, and now had to take over the role of father and breadwinner. Johanna never remarried. For 47 years she has cared for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and has outlived 4 of the 7 children. Ma Zeeman has 21 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-great-grandchild. At one of her 100th Birthday Celebrations at the Vineyard Hotel, which I was privileged enough to attend, Johanna sung a lullaby over the microphone to her 200 invited guests.

The first home in Sunnyside began as the meeting place and founding building for the Baptist Church in Athlone. Johanna and her family are still active members of the Baptist Church.

From the Team at Ancestry24 – we wish Ma Zeeman many more years of health and happiness.

If anyone is related to this family or can help contribute any information the family would be very grateful. Please email [email protected]

Image Captions – from top to bottom:
1. Ma Zeeman on her 100th Birthday with life-long friend, Mr Billie Volkwyn, Deacon of the  Baptist Church in Athlone
2. Granny Zeeman, on the right-hand side, with two girlfriends. Circa 1942.
3. Granma Zeeman with children Myrtle and Basil

Descendants of Marthinus Jacobus Oostendorp

Generation No. 1
1. MARTHINUS JACOBUS OOSTENDORP was born Abt. 1852, and died 17 Sep 1920.
Child of MARTHINUS JACOBUS OOSTENDORP is:
2. i. MARTHINUS JOHN THOMAS OOSTENDORP, b. 12 Nov 1879, Cape Province; d. 02 Apr 1942, 22 Denchworth Road, Gleemoor Township, Athlone.

Generation No. 2
2. MARTHINUS JOHN THOMAS OOSTENDORP (MARTHINUS JACOBUS) was born 12 Nov 1879 in Cape Province, and died 02 Apr 1942 in 22 Denchworth Road, Gleemoor Township, Athlone. He married SOPHIA GEORGINA KENSLEY 12 Nov 1899 in Roman Catholic Church Cape Town. She was born 28 May 1880 in Saldanah, and died 11 Aug 1953 in 22 Denchworth Road, Gleemoor, Athlone.
More About MARTHINUS JOHN THOMAS OOSTENDORP:
Burial: Gate 9 Maitland Cemetery
Notes for SOPHIA GEORGINA KENSLEY:
Georgina and Marthinus were married in community of property
More About SOPHIA GEORGINA KENSLEY:
Burial: Gate 9 Maitland Cemetery
More About MARTHINUS OOSTENDORP and SOPHIA KENSLEY:
Marriage: 12 Nov 1899, Roman Catholic Church Cape Town
Children of MARTHINUS OOSTENDORP and SOPHIA KENSLEY are:
i. JAN MARTHINUS OOSTENDORP, b. 20 Feb 1901.
ii. THOMAS MARTHINUS OOSTENDORP, b. 09 Apr 1903.
iii. MARTHINUS WILLIAM OOSTENDORP, b. 13 Jan 1905.
3. iv. JOHANNA MARIA FRANCINA OOSTENDORP, b. 10 Jan 1907.
v. MAGDALENA JOSEPHINE OOSTENDORP, b. 08 Apr 1909.
vi. ELIZABETH GEORGINA OOSTENDORP, b. 26 May 1913; m. ? OOSTENDORP.
vii. GEORGINA CHRISTINA OOSTENDORP, b. 26 May 1916; d. 05 Jun 1916.
viii. GEORGE D EGAS OOSTENDORP, b. 1917.
ix. ROSE EILEEN MAGDALENE OOSTENDORP, b. 09 Jun 1917; m. ? ARENDSE.
x. ERNEST HENRY WILLIAM OOSTENDORP, b. 04 Nov 1919.
xi. ARTHUR OOSTENDORP, b. 20 Jul 1921.

Generation No. 3
3. JOHANNA MARIA FRANCINA OOSTENDORP (MARTHINUS JOHN THOMAS, MARTHINUS JACOBUS) was born 10 Jan 1907. She married WILLIAM BENJAMIN ZEEMAN 1927 in St. Paul ‘s Church, Cape Town. He was born Abt. Dec 1905, and died 02 May 1950 in Brooklyn Chest Hospital.
Notes for WILLIAM BENJAMIN ZEEMAN:
Last address:
97 Elizabeth Drive, Alicedale, Athlone
More About WILLIAM BENJAMIN ZEEMAN:
Occupation: labourer
More About WILLIAM ZEEMAN and JOHANNA OOSTENDORP:
Marriage: 1927, St. Paul ‘s Church, Cape Town
Children of JOHANNA OOSTENDORP and WILLIAM ZEEMAN are:
4. i. JOAN IRENE ZEEMAN, b. 10 Feb 1946.
ii. BASIL ZEEMAN
iii. MYRTLE ZEEMAN
iv. DEREK ZEEMAN
v. IVAN ZEEMAN
vi. BILLY ZEEMAN

Generation No. 4
4. JOAN IRENE ZEEMAN (JOHANNA MARIA FRANCINA OOSTENDORP, MARTHINUS JOHN THOMAS, MARTHINUS JACOBUS) was born 10 Feb 1946. She married BRIAN JOSEPH VAN DER BERG.
Children of JOAN ZEEMAN and BRIAN VAN DER BERG are:
i. GARY SHAUN VAN DER BERG
ii. SHAUN DERECK VAN DER BERG
5. iii. ASHLEY BRIAN VAN DER BERG, b. 17 Mar 1970.

Generation No. 5
5. ASHLEY BRIAN VAN DER BERG (JOAN IRENE ZEEMAN, JOHANNA MARIA FRANCINA OOSTENDOR, MARTHINUS JOHN THOMAS, MARTHINUS JACOBUS) was born 17 Mar 1970. He married VANESSA MANUEL.
Children of ASHLEY BERG and VANESSA MANUEL are:
i. ALANA ASHLEY VAN DER BERG, b. 17 Apr 1996.
ii. JENNA JOY VAN DER BERG, b. 07 Nov 1998.

Other Centenarians we have found:

Whilst browsing through the records of Ancestry24 – we also discovered these people who are reputed to have also made their 100th year:

Asuia Gedult of Rondebosch, buried 15 Jan 1892 aged 100 years. Parish, St. Paul ‘s Rondebosch

Magdalena T? of Clanwilliam, baptised 03 Oct 1906 aged 100 years by Rev. W. Griffiths at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Clanwilliam

Anna Magdalena Barbara Zeederberg, born Coventry on 12 Jul 1855 and died 09 Apr 1955, wife of Roelof Abraham ZEEDERBERG. Aged 100 years. Buried at St. Peters Observatory

Denia May, female, died 31 Aug 1851, aged 100 years at Mowbray. Source: Government Gazette – 04 September 1851

100 YEARS OLD TODAY. Puler, Michael. Father of Evelyn and Manfred. Grandfather of Marlene, Andrea, Vananthia, Karen, Nicola and Mitchell. Great grandfather of twelve. Your compassion, tolerance and sense of social responsibility has hopefully influenced all of us. We look forward to the next century. Source: 14 November, 2005 Natal Witness
100 YEARS TODAY! AUDREY MARE We wish our aunt a wonderful day on such a special birthday. Love from Desmond and Patsy. Source: 20 Aug 2005 Natal Witness

NICHOL Helen Helston 9.8.1872 (aged 100 years in 1972). Former Vice-Principal of Johannesburg Girls’ High School. Source: Cornish Settlers to the Cape by Graham Dickason

ARCHIBALD Mary Wright: Miss Archie, died peacefully on the 6th of February 2006 aged 100 years and 45 days. The celebration of her life and resurrection will take place at the Somerset West United Church , corner of Andries Pretorius and Bright Street @ 15h00 on Monday the 13th of February 2006. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Child Welfare Society, P.O. Box 650, Somerset West, 7129. Donations will also be received at the Church Service. Doves, Somerset-West. Tel. 021-8521546 Member of the N.F.D.A. Source: Helderpos 10 Feb 2006

D’ASSONVILLE Mrs. ALETTA FREDRIEKA, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Terblanche (Miss Margaretha Veldtman) both descendants of the Huguenots who came to South Africa in 1688. She was married to the late Monsieur Henri Emile D’Assonville, who landed in Port Elizabeth in 1859, starting business at Assegai Bosch, Humansdorp; in 1873 he went to France with his family and returned in 1874. Shortly before coming to South Africa the first time he saw service in India and it was while on active service that he took part in the relief of Lucknow. He died in 1908. His father served in the gallant “Charge of the Light Brigade” (Crimean War) as General d’Assonville; for his bravery there he was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honour and a title. Mrs. d’Assonville was born at Hoffman’s Bosch in the Zitzikama, district Humansdorp, C.P., in 1834; married in 1864. Had five sons and three daughters. She enjoyed very good health, was very active and bore her age remarkably well; at the age of nearly 100 years she could still sew without glasses. Was well-known amongst the poor for her kindness to them. In her old age she lived with her youngest daughter in the Humansdorp District. An unfortunate fall made her helpless and she died at the ripe age of 101 years, five months. During her lifetime her chief interests were homecraft and gardening. Source: SA Womens Who’s who 1935

SHUTTLEWORTH, HONOR MARGARET The Memorial Service for Honor Margaret Shuttleworth will take place at 2 pm TUESDAY (28 February 2006) at Holy Trinity Church, Cross Road, Pietermaritzburg. Dearly beloved widow of the late Redvers James Shuttleworth formerly of “Santa Rosa” Oribi Flats. Dearly loved mother of Gerald, Margaret (Eudey) and Ian. Much loved by her in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away peacefully at the age of 100 years on 25 February 2006. The burial will take place privately at the Marburg Cemetery Port Shepstone. In lieu of flowers family suggest donations to Marion Villa Frail Care, 282 Alexander Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201.
Source: Natal witness 26 Feb 2006

Johan CHRISTIAAN van de Kust (Indier) born circa 1699, died Cape Town 1799 (100yrs) Source: SAG Genealogies Volume 1.

Magrieta Hendrieka KUIT * Steenwijk 11.8.1873 dood Vryheid 22.3.1959 getroud 17.9.1894 Gerrit BOONSTRA * Drachten, Nederland 1.8.1866 dood Vryheid 15.8.1966 (100yrs + 14 days) Source: SA Genealogies Volume 4

Moloko Temo celebrates her 132th birthday

Bochum.  The oldest woman in Limpopo and possibly also in the world turned 132 on Tuesday. Moloko Temo celebrated her 132nd birthday on Tuesday, and although she cannot see anymore, she enjoyed sticking her fingers into the icing on her birthday cake and licking it off.

Moloko Temo

 Tom Boya, chairperson of the Elderly People’s Forum in Limpopo said he had been trying since 2004 to have Temo registered in the Guinness World Records as the oldest woman in the world.

“I have sent several letters to their head office in London, but they ignored me. I don’t know what else to do to bring Temo’s remarkable age to their attention.” According to Temo’s identity document, she was born in 1874. The document was issued in 1988. Home affairs officials questioned her children to determine her age, and came to the conclusion that this must be her age.

Children don’t show respect

Temo has eight children, 29 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. At her birthday party she whispered that it upset her that children did not listen to their parents anymore and didn’t have the kind of respect for them they should have.

Temo has been blind for the past 54 years and is presently wheelchair-bound, though healthy in every other way. She lives with her daughter, Evelen Temo, 78, who was apparently born when her mother was 54-years-old.

According to Boya, Moloko Temo had told him that she grew to such a great age because she used to play a lot of sport, especially hockey, when she was younger. It was her biggest wish to meet former president Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki.

Boya said the Elderly People’s Forum was established in 1996 in Limpopo. “At present we have 300 members and they are all 100 years old or older.”

He said a woman from Sekhukhune district was presently 126 years old. “Through this forum the residents of our province have learnt respect for the elderly. I believe fewer elderly people are being killed in witchcraft-related incidents as a result of our information campaign.”

According to the Guinness world records’ website, www.guinnessworldrecords.com, the world’s oldest man was a Japanese citizen. Shigechiyo Izumi was 120-years-old and was born in 1865. He died on February 21 1986 as a result of pneumonia.

According to the website, Maria Esther de Capovilla from Equador is the oldest woman still alive. She is 116-years-old and was born in 1889.

According to the website people rarely became older than 113 years. “Present indications are that nobody has ever celebrated their 123rd birthday.”

Source: Beeld 06/07/2006 – Marietie Louw, Beeld

Born on the 9th December 1906 in Paarl; in 1982 in Pinelands, Cape Town. Pianist, organist and choral director.Hannes Uys had musical parents. His mother (nee Malan) played the piano and sang, and his father was cornet player in the village band of Rocco de Villiers. The boy’s talent was developed by Thomas Baker at his Rational School of Music (piano and double bass), also by Karl Metzler (violin) and A.C. van Velden (organ), and quite soon he could play in public. When he left school he worked for the Roads Department but continued his music studies under Claude Brown (organ: 1926-1935), Anna Marsh (piano: until 1929) and Clara Hodgson (piano: until 1939). During the War he took piano lessons with Eric Grant, the principal of the College of Music. After leaving the Roads Department he entered the accountant’s office of the Provincial Administration, but he also taught music, preparing eleven licentiates for their examinations. In 1928 he became church organist, at first in Sea Point, where he stayed until 1944, and then in the Groote Kerk (1944-1954) and Rondebosch (1954-1982), a total service exceeding fifty years. Uys thus had two professions – that of an accountant and of a musician, but from 1962 to 1972 he devoted himself exclusively to music and taught at the Groote Schuur High School. For this school he composed his operetta, Die skat van Heuwelkruin. After his retirement he continued to act as locum tenens at schools in the Peninsula, but he has retained his organ post in a full-time capacity.

When he was the organist of the Groote Kerk, he introduced in 1944 the custom of annual Christmas programmes featuring his church choir and soloists. These grew to include works by Schutz, Buxtehude, Bach, Mozart, Handel and Mendelssohn. In 1953, when Albert Coates was his instructor in choral direction, a children’s choir was becoming detached from the parent choir. Initially, as long as church services were paramount, the latter group concentrated on sacred music, but when they advanced to secular concerts, variety of programme became necessary, and Uys then arranged European folk tunes, Afrikaans picnic songs and Malay ghomma songs in three or four parts for their programmes. Through their concerts and radio broadcasts the choir became widely known and the British EMI company produced long-playing records of their singing. It dissolved in 1963, but by then they had promoted a new choral tradition in South Africa.

In 1939 Uys met the German pianist, Helga Bassel, then on a second visit to her brother in Cape Town. The two artists formed a duet for two pianos and soon advanced to the vanguard of concert life through concert tours, appearances with orchestras in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, and radio broadcasts. They were married in 1943 and in 1948 featured as a two-piano duet in the first Afrikaans musical to be filmed, Kom saam vanaand. Two talented children were born of their marriage: Pieter-Dirk who has achieved prominence in the theatre, and Theresa Hannelore (Tessa) who has become a distinguished concert pianist.

Benjamin Osler also known as Bennie born in Aliwal North on 23rd November 1901 and died in Cape Town on 23rd April 1962, Springbok rugby player, was the son of Benjamin and Isobel Osler. Bennie’s ancestors have been traced back to Edward Osler, a prominent merchant and ship-owner, with a hint of piracy involvement.Bennie went to various schools, including the Western Province Preparatory School, Rondebosch Boys’ High School, and Kingswood College, Grahamstown. From 1921 he read law at the University of Cape Town, qualifying in 1925. During this period he represented the University on the rugby field, but from 1926 to 1930 played for Hamiltons and from 1931 to 1933 for Villagers. He acted as captain of all three clubs and on various occasions captained Western Province, which he represented from 1922 to 1933.

He gained his Springbok colours in 1924, when he played against Ronald Cove-Smith’s British team in all four test matches. Four years later (1928) he also played in all four tests against Maurice Brownlee’s New Zealand touring side, and in 1931-32 captained the Springbok team (which went to the British Isles) in all the tests of that series. He rounded off his rugby career in 1933 by playing in all five tests against the visiting Australians, acting as captain in the second test. He had scored forty-six points in the seventeen consecutive tests in which he played Osler is generally regarded as the best fly-half South Africa has produced so far (1979), a man who could dictate play. The decade during which he was a Springbok is even called the ‘Osler Era’ by sports writers, owing to his influence on the game. While he played for South Africa the country won all the test series, his province carried off the Currie Cup throughout, and each club for which he played won the Grand Challenge Cup. He had no equal as a tactical kicker and it was in particular his almost perfectly-placed corner kicks to wings which gained many tries for the Springboks. He could launch long outside kicks from any corner and as a drop-kicker he often clinched matches. Nobody was more feared by opponents than Osler.

He was also an attacking fly-half who could send his full-backs off with incredible speed when circumstances permitted or, if not, could himself shoot through an opening like lightning. Autocratic on the field, he would tolerate no passes from scrumhalfs that were above waist height; if the centres next to him blundered even once, he usually mistrusted them afterwards and would rather kick the ball – a course of action which can be regarded as one of his few weaknesses. As a captain he attached great value to tactical planning before a match, and he believed in strict team discipline.

During the Second World War (1939-45) Bennie went with the South African forces to East Africa where he contracted both malaria and amoebic dysentery which probably contributed to his relatively early death.

Unlike other great players Osler had little interest in coaching or the administration of the sport when he retired. After working as a salesman for a long time, he eventually went farming on a small scale, at first near East London and later near Bellville.

The brothers Bennie and Stanley Osler

He married Gladys Hobson and had two children. Photographs of him appear inter alia in The Bennie Osler story and Springbok saga (both infra).

Osler’s Cornish Connections

Benjamin. Falmouth born circa 1776 son of Edward and Mary (Paddy) Osler of Falmouth and husband of Jane (Sawle) Osler born 1775. father of Susannah, Stephen Sawle, Mary Anne, Amelia, Elizabeth, Sarah, Joseph, Jane, Benjamin, Phillippa and Julia. Leader of W.J. Cornish 1820 Settlers. Returned to Cornwall with wife and some members of his family 4.1822.

Stephen Sawle born in Falmouth 27th September 1804, died 21st October 1867 in Simonstown. Son of Benjamin and Jane (Sawle) Osler and husband of Catherine Osler (born Dakins, formerly Wright) of Llaway Glen, Montgomeryshire, Wales. 1802-1881. father to Benjamin, James Goodriche, Catherine and Jane; and also Christina, dtr of Orange Kleyne (Klein). Founder of the Osler family in SA.

Susannah Osler born in Falmouth circa 1800. daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Sawle) Osler married 1st John Coleman (1792-1829) of Cock’s party at Reedfountain, Eastern Cape on 17th June 1820, 2nd time to Mr Fineran from Quebec.

The small Cornish party, under the leadership of Benjamin Osler of Falmouth, Cornwall, sailed in the ‘Weymouth’, which left Portsmouth in January 1820. Having arrived in Albany so that he might supervise the first arrivals, Sir Rufane Donkin considered that a more central and accessible site should be chosen for the administration of the settlement. Ignoring the fact of Graham’s Town’s better defensible position and that it was already established as a military base, the site he chose on 9 May 1820, was just west of Thorn Ridge. This was to be the centre of the civilian administration and also the seat of magistracy. Sir Rufane declared it was to supercede Graham’s Town as the capital town of Albany, and it was to be named Bathurst in honour of Earl Bathurst, Secretary for the Colonies. In his enthusiasm Donkin allotted plots to the Earl and also his own sons and nephews, while 500 acres of Glebe were allotted for a clergyman and chaplain of the Church of England, the vacant post to be filled in due course by a suitable man. The post of administrator, however, was filled by the transfer to Albany from the Western Cape of Capt Charles Trappes.

By 9 June the Cornish party of Benjamin Osler was enroute to their location from Algoa Bay. Osler’s party, it had been decided, was to be located some 12 miles southwest of the new town of Bathurst, and halfway to the Kowie River mouth. This was in the curve of the Mansfield River, a left bank tributary to Kowie River, today known as Grove Hill. Osler named the location Pendennis in memory of the similarity the area bore to his Cornish hometown of Falmouth and its Pendennis Castle.

Pitching their tents for protection from the cold winter nights and the intermittent drizzle, the party immediately set to clearing the land so that ploughing and sowing of their first crop could be done. Soon after arrival, they were to be joined by a young man, John Coleman, 28 years of age and a gardener from Cock’s party who had sailed with them in the Weymouth. Coleman was not altogether an unexpected arrival, for he had made his intentions clear earlier and on the 17 June, he was married by the Rev William Shaw to Benjamin Osler’s eldest daughter, Susannah. Theirs were the first marriage in the whole settlement.

The proximity to Bathurst of Osler’s location at Pendennis meant that these settlers were closely concerned with the early development of that town. Lots were already being offered for sale and the Colonial Secretary had ordered erection of a prison. The building of the Bathurst Residency got under way by October. All this activity afforded employment to bricklayers, carpenters, slaters, sawyers and stone-masons, who were able to direct their energies into a rewarding field while they waited patiently for the crops to ripen. Hopes for the future were bright, but by the end of November it became apparent that ‘rust’ had affected practically all the wheat sown since their arrival and the crops were useless. With little resources to withstand such a disaster, the administration decided that the issue of rations was therefore to be continued, but they became an additional charge against the deposit money. When that had been exhausted, it was a liability for future repayment. By Christmas Day that year, the circumstances of many were desperate and prospects for the future grim.

Undaunted by these hardships and their considerably reduced circumstances, the settlers sought what work they could find. The Bathurst Residency, long delayed in its completion by the number of unfortunate disputes that had arisen, was still an avenue for employment. William Mallett, a mason with Osler’s party joined with Thomas Marham of Bethany, James’ party’s location, and together they contracted on 5 November 1821, for slating and plastering work on the Residency to the value of £16. 10. 0d.

Lots had continued to be sold at Bathurst and houses built on them, but again, as a year earlier, ‘rust’ began to appear in the wheat and by the end of the year it was apparent to all that the wheat crop had once again failed. This was now a major calamity. Though rations were continued, they were reduced to half portions. Despite what the settlers had previously received, and even for those in dire need who had no money or hope of ever redeeming what they already owed, a parsiminous administration ruled they were only to get half a pound of rice per adult per week. Meagre indeed, but to ameliorate their difficulties, the stringent pass laws restricting settlers to their locations were relaxed and many now went in search of work, not only in Albany, but further afield if they could afford to get themselves there.

Lord Charles Somerset had by now returned to the Cape from his bride hunting furlough in England, and once again took up the reins of office as Governor.

He was furious to find the number of rather illogical decisions taken by Sir Rufane were actually detrimental to the scheme as he had originally envisaged it. He thus immediately set about reversing them. Bathurst was demoted from its pre-eminent position, which consequently caused another sharp depression when the Magistracy was summarily removed to Graham’s Town and the many settlers who had invested their small capital in establishing business premises in order that they might better serve the community, now faced ruin and impoverishment as it was quite evident the town of Bathurst would stagnate. It did and many then returned their attention to trading. Fairs were permitted at Fort Willshire and to these came the native tribesmen from beyond the Colony’s borders. James Weeks was one of the Cornish settlers who took to offering the more conventional manufactures. He and others traded tobacco and cloth in exchange for hides and skins, ivory, cut wood and simple items of use that could either be sold again in Graham’s Town or taken down to Algoa Bay and bartered there for the farming implements in such short supply. But the air of depression continued, it was no good having the basis for an exchange of goods if the majority the inhabitants, both settler and tribesmen, were so impoverished that goods and hard cash were virtually an unknown commodity amongst them. Osler left his location in April 1822 to return with his wife and five younger children to Cornwall. What remained of Osler’s party slowly broke up. Headed by John Dale, it began to disintegrate further. Osler’s daughter, Susannah and her husband decided to make their home at Simonstown where they were to be joined by her brother, Stephen Sawle Osler, who had elected not to return to Cornwall. By the beginning of 1824 William Mallett had moved away to Uitenhage and matrimony was to call Joseph Richards to a date in Graham’s Town where on 23 September that year, he was married to Sarah Attwell, the seventeen year old daughter of Richard Attwell of Crause’s party. Grace Weeks had died and the end of the year saw Charles Pearse returning to England to rejoin his wife with and family who had been unable to embark with him.

The small party of Cornish settlers, comprising only eleven men and their families at the outset, was already diminished in number by nearly half, and the few that did remain on Pendennis were to become so insignificant numerically that from then on their story melds with that of the settlement itself, conversely reflecting their great adaptability and absorption into the new country.

Source:
Dictionary of South Africa Biography Vol 5.
Cornish Immigrants to South Africa by Graham Dickason.
History of South African Rugby Football (1875 – 1932) by Ivor Difford

Further reading and resources:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bathonia/OslerBathFrancisConnections.htm

Osler Library – http://www.mcgill.ca/osler-library/

Acknowledgements: Michael Bath

Rev. Canon Ogilvie

In July, 1885, Archdeacon Badnall placed his resignation in the Bishop’s hands, and after some negotiations with the Metropolitan, the Rev. Canon G. Ogilvie, was appointed rector of St. Paul’s Parish in Rondebosch in August, 1885. The attitude of the parishioners in regard to the Church of the Province at this time was one almost of repudiation. It was, however, solely a question of principle with the parishioners, for it is clear that the Bishop’s assistance was welcomed, and personally he was not only much esteemed, but held in the highest respect. In accepting the Bishop’s guidance in the appointment of a successor to Dr. Badnall, the parish clearly showed by resolution that it did not, in any way, prejudice its rights or privileges as an integral part of the Church of England, in accordance with the provisions of the 1845 Ordinance.Reference, indeed, was made to the resolutions passed on 14th May, 1883, wherein exception was taken to the separatist tendency, as adopted by the Synod of January, 1883; and the meeting expressed its protest against the constitution and action of the Church of the Province so long as the Province “remains in a state of separation from the Church of England.” As will be realised there was in this action a considerable degree of misconception of the true position; but it is not proposed here to enter into that question.

The Rev. Canon Ogilvie, who was a distinguished educationist, became Rector of St. Paul’s after twenty-four years’ service as Principal of the Diocesan College. Prior to that important charge he had, at the request of Bishop Gray, assisted in the founding of St. George’s Grammar School, of which he was the first head; and, in addition he was for some years Precentor of St. George’s Cathedral. For a considerable period, too, he served on the Council of the University of the Cape of Good Hope, and ultimately held office as Vice-Chancellor (1895-97), his work in that sphere being subsequently recognised by the con-ferment in 1906 of the degree of D.Litt. Canon Ogilvie brought to his new duties the wisdom born of a rich experience, for beyond the wide range of work just referred to, we find that, before coming to South Africa, he was headmaster of the Grammar School at Buenos Aires and assistant chaplain there. in his work in the parish he was ably assisted by Mrs. Ogilvie (nee Ellen Anderson), to whom he was married on 21st September, 1885. They lived at The Grange, Sandown Road.

Reference has already been made to the liquidation of the debt on St. Paul’s Church, which by 1896 had been reduced to £1,145, mainly through the efforts of the work party conducted by Mrs. Ogilvie, and was finally disposed of by the munificent bequest of Mr. W. G. Anderson, who in his lifetime resided at Erinville. Fortunately Mr. Anderson’s association with Rondebosch has been permanently commemorated by the beautifully carved pulpit in St. Paul’s Church, which was a gift by his children as a memorial of their father.

The Anderson family is also recalled by the font in St. Paul’s, which was gifted to the church in 1892 by Mr. W. Anderson, of London, in memory of his wife, Maria Deane Anderson, daughter of Mr. W. G. Anderson. Another valuable gift to St. Paul’s about this time as the handsome brass lectern, donated by Mrs. Pigot Moodie, who in those days resided at Westbrooke, now the summer residence of the Governor-General.

It was during this period, too (in 1894), that increased accommodation at the Mission Chapel as provided by the rector, at a personal cost to himself of £150. Active steps were taken in 1899 to collect funds for the further enlargement of the Chapel. By May, 1901, £186 was available for the purpose. The gradual development of the residential area on the Camp Ground had made this work desirable, although it is clear that the existence of two churches within three-quarters of a mile of each other tends to exercise a disintegrating effect on the parish. The further extension of the Mission Chapel was not carried out till 1903.

From the parish records there is evidence to show that during Canon Ogilvie’s rectorship the following acted as assistant clergy; The Rev. R. W. Doyle, 1886-87; the Rev. G. H. R. Fisk, 1886-89; the Rev. C. H. Gill, 1887-90; the Rev. J. F. Stephenson, 1891-94; and the Rev. A. J. Rendle, 1894-1902. Further, at the close of 1895, the Rev. M. H. M. Wood, M.A., who had officiated as curate since 1891, resigned and took up duties as Chaplain to the Metropolitan. He was succeeded in the parish by the Rev. R. D. Machen, who assumed duty as assistant priest in February, 1896, and continued till 1901.

In 1896 an important event – one which occasioned considerable trouble to those immediately concerned – falls to be chronicled. A Bill was laid before Parliament, having for its object the disposal and alienation of certain of the more detached portions of the Glebe land granted in 1854 for the benefit of the Church. It was proposed to reserve the ground surrounding the Mission Chapel; and the remainder of the ground granted in 1854 – by far the greater area as compared with the portions proposed to be sold and reserved -was to be transferred in perpetuity to the Municipality, as a public recreation ground. It was also proposed to dispose of the ground granted in 1863 as a site for a parsonage, and with the proceeds to purchase or build a suitable rectory. A site was also to be granted for the Rondebosch Cottage Hospital. After passing all stages in the Lower House, the Bill was rejected in the Legislative Council; and a renewed effort in the following year met with the same fate. The schemes which were dependent on the passage of the Bill, of course, fell through, and the larger issue was reopened and settled in 1909.

The Rev. R. D. Machen left for England at Easter, in 1901. He had served as curate for five years, and on his departure was presented with a handsome testimonial, His place was filled by the appointment of the Rev. O. J. Hogarth, who, after five years’ strenuous and fruitful work, severed his connection with St. Paul’s at the beginning of 1906, when he was appointed Rector of Salt River. To him we owe the conception and first publication, in December, 1904, of St. Paul’s Record, a magazine which has proved to be of inestimable value to the parish. He was responsible, too, for the gymnasium, which at one time flourished in St. Paul’s schoolroom; and special mention must also be made of the project for the erection of an institute or parish hail, into which he threw his whole heart. Although appointed during Canon Ogilvie’s rectorship, Dr. Hogarth was for a longer period more closely identified with the Rev. A. J. Rendle, the sixth rector in the line.

On 21st January, 1902, after nearly seventeen years’ service, and when he was in his seventy-sixth year, Canon Ogilvie intimated to the Vestry his intention of handing to, the Archbishop his resignation of office, and shortly thereafter he relinquished the rectorship of Rondebosch. His services to the church and to education were held in high regard by the parishioners; and after a long life of nearly 89 years he passed to his rest on 1st May, 1915.

Image Source: National Archives Cape Town

Image Captions: The Very Reverend Canon G. Ogilvie,

M.A. D. Litt. 1885 – 1902
Source: St. Pauls Centenary 1834 – 1934

Born in Harlingerode, Brunswick, Germany on 7th May 1803 and died in Rosebank, Cape, 28th February 1905), merchant, artist and musician, was the youngest son of Cornelius (von) Landsberg (1765-1843) who emigrated from Brunswick because of political oppression after the fall of Napoleon. With his wife, Elisabeth Knoblanch (1763-1857), and his children he arrived on 8 August 1818, after a voyage of eleven months and settled in Cape Town as a watchmaker. According to family tradition the Landsberg’s originated from royalty and owned a German castle built by Count Hero in 976. From 1415 to 1798 the castle was the seat of the Bernese governors. In 1803 it was awarded to the canton of Aargau and at present belongs to the city of Lenzburg. Family correspondence in the Potchefstroom Museum tends to discredit this tradition.

Soon after his arrival at the Cape L. joined trading ventures to the interior. By the early 1820s he had become a snuff manufacturer (‘Landsberg’s snuff’ is still used) and by 1831 was registered as a retailer in Shortmarket Street, Cape Town, where the firm still exists. His business soon expanded to embrace tobacco and cigars, medicines, and later, wines and spirits. By the end of the century Landsberg travellers were known throughout South Africa.

As a young man he taught drawing and music at the Tot Nut van’t Algemeen school from 1847 to 1851, and at the South African College. In 1870 he still had his studio at 17 Roeland Street. He was a co-founder of the Cape Musical Society, playing first violin in its orchestra. Of his 200 works as an artist, some seventy-five, including sculptured heads of his grandparents, were presented to the Potchefstroom Museum by a grandson, August D’Astre. ‘The Magi’, a large painting, was removed from the Mowbray town hall, Cape Town, after repeated mutilation by vandals and, so far, has not been traced. A lithography of his painting of Brandvlei Baths, near Worcester, is included in Poortermans, while the Potchefstroom Museum has a number of Landsberg’s original paintings.

His European scenes were developed from sketches perhaps made during his visit to Europe in 1864, or, in the case of earlier ones, were painted from memory. Of his Cape scenes (some are in water-colours) good examples are ‘Farmstead at Worcester, 1847′; ‘Storm at the Cape, 1865′; ‘Washerwomen in Platteklip, 1882′; and ‘A rugby match on the Camp Ground, 1888′.

His larger works are either Biblical or historical, being realistic and minutely detailed. Cape characters such as Hottentot women, Bantu and piccanins appear in his ‘Christ addressing the people’ and ‘The last trump’. The large ‘ Battle between Germani and Romans’ is full of action and human expression. His men and women are muscular and often ruggedly Semitic-featured. His ‘Moses with the ten Commandments’ was presented to the Cape Parliament in 1883. The Africana Museum, Johannesburg, possesses a large painting (44½ inches by 66½ inches) of the battle of Amajuba, done in 1881, and Personality contains coloured reproductions of four brilliant pieces: ‘Gibraltar’, ‘Frederick the Great of Prussia’, ‘Arrival of Julius Caesar on the British coast’ (showing the fierce struggle in the water), and the peaceful ‘Camp ground, Rondebosch’. Mrs Thora Botha, a descendant, owns the painting of the Tugela River (1823), in which his sister was drowned.

Hottentot Girl

Otto lived moderately and was a devout Unitarian. He remained an active walker and horse-man, an excellent raconteur, and was in his hundredth year strong enough to play the violin and to start a painting, ‘The Creation’.
His profits were invested in bonds on farms and by 1880 he was able to hand his business over to his grandson, Julius Otto Jeppe, and retire in comfort to Vredenburg, Rosebank.

He died at almost 102 years, possibly the last South African to have seen Napoleon en route for Russia in 1812. After one of the largest funerals seen in Cape Town, he was buried on 2nd March 1905 in St Peter’s Cemetery, Mowbray. His first wife was Maria Jacoba de Jongh (1809 -10 March 1861); his second wife, Catherine Matchell (1840 -30 April 1911), accompanied him, in 1864, on his only visit to Europe. One of Otto’s sons was Ernst Landsberg, M.L.C. for the western divisions in the Cape Parliament (1864 -68). Of the thirteen children of his first marriage only two daughters, Julia Elizabeth D’Astre and Sophia Theresa Henrietta Lithman, survived him; they and the children of a deceased daughter, Maria Jacoba Carolina Jeppo (first wife of Hermann Jeppe), and his widow became the main heirs of his estate, which amounted to over £95 000. Bequests also went to some servants, and to churches of all denominations. There are portraits of Landsberg in the Potchefstroom Museum (they include a photograph of him at the age of 100 years) and (infra) in The Veld and The Cape Argus.

Source: Dictionary of South African Biography

Image Source: SA Standard Encyclopaedia – Hottentot Girl, by Otto Landsberg, in the Potchefstroom Museum

DOWNHAM,Rev, Thomas was born on 18th April 1878 at Barrow-in-Furness in England. He was the son of the late John Downham. Thomas was educated at Cliff College, Derbyshire and Harley College, London.

Downham, Rev. Thomas

He was ordained in London in 1903 for pioneer work in Rhodesia under auspices of the Colonial Missionary Society, where he built the Northernmost Congregational Church, School and Manse.

In 1909 he was called to Ladysmith, Natal, and extended the local Church’s influence to five country stations. The Rev then began a third Pastorate at Florida Road, Durban in 1914, clearing its long standing debt and erected new handsome Church with pipe organ. Both of these churches opened free from debt. After over 17 years of ministry, 1914-32, to this ever growing Church he accepted a another call to Cape Town where he completed his first year’s ministry in the Rondebosch Congregational Church; being marked by growth in all Church organisation and by the successful clearance of the secod bond on the Church property. Present Address “Innisfallen” Bonair Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town.

Source & Image: Who’s Who in Natal. Copyright Media24 South Africa

http://www.erasteer.co.za/kalk_bay_story.htm

The small fishing village of Kalk Bay, nestled between the mountains and the sea, is only a 30 minute drive from the centre of Cape Town yet a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The village of Kalk Bay was probably established in the 17th century as a small community of lime-burners who used kilns to extract lime from the sea shell deposits for use in the construction of buildings. mined the nearby deposits of limestone.  Its name was derived from the Dutch term for lime.  In 1795 the Dutch located a small military outpost here, and after 1806 it began to flourish as a fishing village and whaling station.

In the 1840′s a Philippine ship was wrecked off Cape Point and many of the sailors settled in Kalk Bay adding substantially to the small fishing community that had developed.  Over the years some Philippine sailors deserted from ships visiting the Cape joined them as well as emancipated slaves from the East Indies.  These Philippine settlers were Catholic and had to row by boat to Simonstown for mass leading in 1858 to the St James Catholic Church being built nearby and of course giving the name to the area next to Kalk Bay in later years.  In later years a small mosque was built (located between Gatesville and Quarterdeck roads) by the Malaysian community that had also settled in the area.

Certainly Kalk Bay’s next ‘great event’ was the arrival of the railway line in May 1883.  Previous to the railway line Kalk Bay was already a favourite spot for wealthy Cape Town business men from Wynberg and Rondebosch but the railway brought teeming crowds and the development of the fishing industry.  In February 1862 Mrs Ross, an English visitor to the Cape, described Kalk Bay as: “… a little fishing hamlet, consisting of a few old-fashioned Dutch houses, and a dozen or so of fishermen’s huts straggling for a mile between the rocky beach, and the precipitous mountains that rise up almost immediately behind it. It is accounted a very healthy place, and is the favourite resort of well-to-do people …”  

Cecil John Rhodes was of course the most famous person who had a holiday cottage here and it can be visited today as a museum. 

Such was the growth that in 1895 Kalk Bay became a municipality and encouraged non-fishing families to settle in the area.  The increased population brought with it the resources to build the Silvermine Reservoir in the mountains above Kalk Bay as well as water borne sewage.

In 1890 the railway line was extended to Simonstown.  This controversial decision had a major impact on the Kalk Bay community particularly the fishing community as the railway line cut through the middle of Fishery Beach.  This resulted in the winter storms smashing the fishing fleet against the stone viaduct and in May 1898 half the fishing fleet was lost as a result of a particularly bad storm. 

Steel gantries were constructed as a temporary measure and a new breakwater and slipway was built between 1913 to 1919.  Once the harbour was built the entire character changed.  Steam-trawlers and other vessels safely docked in the harbour.  Fish was railed from Kalk Bay up to the rich markets of the Transvaal and Kimberley.

In 1902 a Marine Aquarium and Research Station (the first in South Africa) was established in St James and it was here that Prof Gilchrist did valuable research that helped establish the Sea Fisheries Department.  The Marine Aquarium was demolished in 1954.

Kalk Bay has one of the last remaining working harbours in South Africa with a fishing community proud of their heritage.  It is a community has remained intact throughout South Africa’s turbulent history, the only place in the country where all residents successfully opposed the Group Areas Act of the 1960s. 

Many famous South African families lived in the area or had holiday homes here including Count Labia.

With its narrow cobbled streets, boats returning to the harbour at noon with the day’s catch, interesting shops and 20 restaurants, the village has something to offer everyone.