Gideon Botes sterf op 80

- Denise Ohlson -

Gebore op 14 Januarie 1929 as die tweede oudste van tien kinders, word Gideon Christoffel Botes groot op die plaas Vergenoeg in die Weltevredevallei. Hy gaan eers plaasskool toe en daarna is Prince Albert se dorpskool sy voorland. Hy slaag standerd 8 en verruil die Vallei vir die stad om by die Spoorweë as kelner te gaan werk. “Maar sy liefde vir boeke,” vertel sy broer Jan, “lei hom na CNA en later vind hy sy nis by Nasionale Boekhandel in die Kaap.”

Vir hierdie broer van hom was ‘n boek “soos ‘n diamant” en met sy waardering vir boeke kon hy vir hom ‘n loopbaan in die uitgewersbedryf uitbeitel. Tot op 75 jarige ouderdom, en sy noodgedwonge aftrede, het hy vir Nasou Uitgewers gewerk.

Beatrice Smit, die Kaapse meisie met wie hy getrou en saam twee kinders grootgemaak het, is dertig jaar gelede al oorlede, maar Gideon het nooit weer getrou nie.

Twee jaar gelede het hy in Prince Albert kom bly as inwoner van Huis Kweekvallei. Al het hy ‘n hartomleiding en twee rugoperasies agter die rug gehad en boonop een been afgestaan aan gangreen, het hy nie gemurmureer nie. Ook toe hy sy ander been verloor het en in ‘n rolstoel moes regkom, was kla nie ‘n opsie nie. Hy was dankbaar vir die vryheid en selfstandigheid wat die elektriese stoel hom gegee het en hy het graag in die strate rondgery – soms tot verontwaardigde ontsteltenis van die personeel. Hy was ‘n gesellige man, gou met ‘n glimlag en met ‘n goeie verstand. Hy het graag met ‘n stout vonkel in die oog vertel hoe “poeliesieman Moolman” hom gewaarsku het dat hy “reflectors” sal moet kry, anders gaan hulle hom “skryf”.

“Op skool,” vertel sy broer Jan, “was sy bynaam A1. Al ons huiswerkboeke moes altyd oorgetrek wees – al was dit dan ook met koerantpapier. So moes Gideon op ‘n dag ‘n opstel skryf, en gou besef hy dat die koerantstorie op die agterkant van sy boek handig te pas kom by die onderwerp. Sy onderwyseres was besonder ingenome met sy poging. ‘Pragtig, het sy hom geprys, sommer A One!’ En so was die koeël deur die kerk en die bynaam het bly steek...”

Hierdie seun van Matthys en Maria (Miem) Botes was trots daarop dat sy pa bekend was as die “koning van die Weltevredevallei” in die dae toe hul plaas nog wyd en ver gestrek het en luiperds nog volop in die klowe was. Die heerlike nartjies, vye en lemoene was toe al “uitvoerprodukte” en die skape was gesond en vet. Hy het later wel ‘n deel van die oorspronklike plaas teruggekoop en daar gaan woon na sy aftrede, maar die plaaslewe was nie meer dieselfde nie en die eensaamheid het hom gevang. Hy het die grond verkoop en na so twee jaar se verblyf by sy kinders in die Kaap en Gauteng, maar weer die Karoolug kom opsoek.

Vandag is net twee van die vyf oorblywende broers nog Botesse wat as grondbesitters kan “koning kraai” in die Weltevredevallei.

Gideon Botes is op 13 Augustus vanuit Huis Kweekvallei begrawe en die diens is gelei deur ds Chris Briers. Hy word oorleef deur sy kinders Marietjie en Matthys, en vyf kleinkinders.

Neill Meyer

21 September 1975 – 9 July 2009

- Henriette Liebenberg -

Tragedy struck last month when the manager of the local Landmark, Neill Meyer, passed away. Thirty-three year old Neill died in the early hours of Thursday morning, 9 July, at his home.

Neill se dood laat ‘n groot leemte in die dorp. Hy sal onthou word veral vir sy gewilligheid om te help sover hy kon in ‘n mens se soeke na iets in die Ko-operasie.

Het jy iets nodig gehad wat nie in voorraad was, kon jy maar weet hy sou alles moontlik doen om dit te kry. Hy sal ook onthou word vir sy lewensvreugde – daardie diep-uit-die-maag-lag, vir sy liefdevolheid, vriendskap en hulpvaardigheid.

Neill started his career at the then Co-op in Oudtshoorn in February 2001 and moved to Prince Albert in November 2002 where he became manager in February 2003. He married local girl, Nadia, daughter of Dina and Nicky van der Walt, early in 2008. Neill was the youngest of two brothers and matriculated at Oudtshoorn High School. His parents still live in Oudtshoorn.

‘n Roudiens vir Neill is op 14 Julie in die NG Kerk gehou. Die diens is gelei deur ds Chris Briers.

Nadia en haar ouers het almal bedank vir die onderskraging en liefde in hulle tyd van rou.

Clive’nGay

To us, they’ve always been Clive’nGay – an indivisible twosome - and in that spirit, I’d like to add a few words to Ingrid Wolfaardt’s in honour of the van Hasselts and as a tribute to Clive from our family.

We met Clive’nGay in 1993 when we bought Dennehof. As an urban émigré, accustomed to Cape Town reserve, I was completely captivated by their casual, easygoing hospitality, kindness and generosity. I began to understand the real meaning of “salt of the earth.”

I think we all loved Clive’s signature jerseys with frayed, holey elbows, and the familiar sight of Clive’nGay and family arriving at Chris Vis in their sheepskin slippers for supper. But that didn’t stop me from sometimes also visualising Clive in a dinner jacket – he would have looked magnificent. I think the only time I ever saw him “dressed up” was at one of Tessa’s dinner parties.

Once, when he asked me – with that small, inscrutable smile of his - to do a quick writing job for him, he was so modest that it was years before I found out it was for a huge event: he’d won yet another international mohair award, and been invited to visit Italy as a guest of Ermenogilda Zegna – a name that belongs in the upper stratosphere of global fashion.

We loved his stories, expansive, rambling tales that usually ended with a laugh at his own expense. He gave his time generously, and lavished praise where it was due. When he decided you were his friend, it was not negotiable. For his employees who called him “Seur” the term conveyed a deep respect.

But that affable exterior was occasionally deceptive and anyone who tangled with him on issues of ethics and integrity came off worst. Clive seemed to me one of the most authentic people I’ve ever met –comfortable, as they say, in his own skin.

To have had Clive’nGay as neighbours and friends for 16 years has been a privilege.
And even though his large, comforting, amiable presence is no longer here, it will always be Clive’nGay in our very fond memories.

The Hurford Family

Fanie Venter

17 February 1933 - 7 April 2009

Fanie Venter, sestien jaar lank ’n geliefde inwoner van Prince Albert, is op 7 April 2009 in die ouderdom van 76 jaar in Krugersdorp oorlede.

Hy en sy vrou Thelma het Prince Albert ses maande gelede verlaat om by hul dogter en haar gesin te gaan inwoon.

Hulle was net goed ingerig en gevestig toe hy ’n ernstige hartoperasie moes ondergaan. Hy het nie weer sy bewussyn herwin nie en is ná drie weke in die intensiewe eenheid oorlede.

Tribute to Clive

11 October 1955 – 5 April 2009

- Ingrid Wolfaardt -

Clive, you’re my man. There is no one who can and will ever beat you in the ‘Olive Pip Spitting’ stakes, not even the biggest bellows in the world would or could move an olive pip the way you used to do.

I thought my husband was the king of the castle, king of the olive grove, king of kicking arse and so confidently, without a thought that anyone could beat him at it, I offered a weekend at Sun City (falsely and under pretence) for anyone who could spit a pip further than Camel man himself. The manne of the dorp took on the challenge, beginning their enthusiastic but futile attempts at quite a distance from the start line, dropping down on their haunches, their overalls rolled up above their knees like you do in the hundred meter dash, bottoms up and chins out, sucking in their cheeks, drawing air into their lungs, they came at a drunken gallop to the line, stretching out their throats like ostriches and spat, to find the pip dropping at their feet in a show that can only be called comic.

And I rallied the crowd to greater heights increasing the prize to include limitless gambling and free drinks on the house and the crowds kept coming until you, Clive, sauntered down from where you had just judged little, minor, mini, Miss Olyfie and all, in the main street and you took an olive, leisurely rolling it in your mouth, waiting for the wanna-be manne to give you a chance at it and then you casually stood at my line drawn in the dust, feet apart, hands on hips and blew that pip, well, quite moer toe. I had forgotten your water polo days and that there was a pair of lungs hiding under that shirt that would give any deep sea diver a go for his money. Your pip flew through the air, meters and meters, over the heads of the gob-smacked onlookers landing way past any other - we had to run and search for it amongst the grass and you simply smiled and said to me, “I can’t wait to receive my prize.”

Clive, nothing sums you up more than that incident in the early days of the Olive Festival, charming, warm and welcoming, large of personality, large of intellect, large of laughter and life, to match your large physical presence. I will miss you greeting me at the Dairy as though I was the most important person to have ever put their foot in there.

Forgive me for never giving you your prize; my hope is that wherever you find yourself, will make my prize look like Mickey Mouse.

*****
Clive van Hasselt passed away during a rare Prince Albert thunderstorm on Sunday afternoon, 5 April, after a courageous battle against acute myeloid leukaemia.

Clive was born in Johannesburg and educated at Michaelhouse and Elsenberg College. Unlike his parents and three siblings who chose medicine as professions, he was always passionate about farming. His enthusiastic pursuit of his vision and his hard work saw him become one of the top Angora goat breeders in the country and a moving force in the mohair industry in South Africa. His expertise in the field was acknowledged worldwide and he was frequently invited to judge at shows abroad.

Clive leaves his wife, Gay and children, Frances, Jordi, Eugene and Jean, his mother, Greta, and siblings, Andrew, James and Gill, who remember and celebrate his memory. We’ll miss you, Clive.

Frederick Allers

1/06/1919 - 18/02/2009

- Lydia Barrella -

Vir baie mense in Prince Albert is die naam Frikkie Allers ‘n baie imponerende een. Hy was ‘n prominente figuur wat oral in ons dorp sy bydrae gelewer het. Die Fransie Pienaar Museum is een van die instansies wat sy bestaan te danke het aan die deursettingsvermoë van hierdie lang, intelligente en ywerige man.

As die bobaas kleremaker het hy begin naam maak in Prince Albert en later was hy ‘n gesiene sakeman. Hy het Die Handelshuis, ‘n kruidenierswinkel (waar Lewis Stores vandag is) baie suksesvol bedryf. Vanaf 1966 het hy sewe jaar lank as burgemeester gedien en weer van 1980 - 82 in dié tuig gestaan.

Dit was in hierdie tyd dat oom Frikkie die samewerking van sy dorpsraad verkry het om die ou hospitaalgebou, wat amper gesloop is, te koop en te restoureer met die doel om die Fransie Pienaar Museum daarin te huisves. Fransie Pienaar was oom Frikkie se skoonma en haar versameling is reeds vanaf 1971 in Kerkstraat 16, ‘n huis wat ook aan die munisipaliteit behoort het, uitgestal. Die gebruik van laasgenoemde huis as museum is ook deur hom bewerkstellig.

In 1982, toe Fransie Pienaar se versame-ling na die huidige gebou verskuif is, was hy aan die voorpunt met die stigting van die Vriende van die Museum en hy was ook die eerste voorsitter van hierdie vereniging. Op eie koste het hy verskeie kere Kaapstad toe gereis om met die Provinsiale Museumdiens te onderhandel om ons museum as Plaaslike Museum te laat verklaar. Dít het hy reggekry en op 24 September 1985 het Gene Louw, die Administrateur van Kaapland, toe die museum geproklameer as Plaaslike Museum.

Deur Frikkie Allers se daadkragtige versiendheid is die museum vandag die toe-rismekern van die dorp. Die pragtige ou Victoriaanse gebou is perfek sentraal geleë en hoogs geskik vir die uitstal van Fransie Pienaar se waardevolle en uitgebreide versameling.

Waarlik ‘n skat waarop ons as Prince Alberters trots is.

---------------------

Frederick Allers, is op Prince Albert oorlede in sy 89ste jaar. Hier het hy sy lewe lank gewoon en gewerk. Hy laat sy vrou, Elize, agter na ‘n huwelik van 61 jaar. Sy kinders Derek, Frances en Retha, kleinkinders en agterkleinkind eer hom saam met almal wat die voorreg gehad het om saam met hom ‘n pad te stap.

Jan Hendrik Booyens – ‘n Buurman se huldeblyk

23 April 1926 – 18 September 2008

- Hennie Pretorius -

Ek kyk nog soms straat-op om te sien of oom Jan en Jessica nie in aantog is nie – oom Jan met sy wonderlike hinkstappie en die poedeltjie ewe neus-in-die-lug.

Vandat oom Jan weg is, bly Bokser die papegaai by ons. En my ingedagte straatkykery is eintlik net moontlik terwyl Bokser ‘n bietjie dut, want terwyl Bokser wakker is, is oom Jan as’t ware by my en Elsofie aan huis. Bokser is eintlik “Bokser Booyens, telefoon drié drié drié sés ágt.” Dis altans hoe hy hom aan ‘n mens voorstel.

Die kêrel is ‘n diep denker; ‘n ekspert as dit kom by sonneblomsaad en vingerbyt; hy praat en fluit nés oom Jan en hoes op aanvraag.
Hy is ook ‘n luidrugtige bron van tong-in-die-kies vermanings: Jy raas! Eet jou kos! Jy’s ‘n morsgat, né!

En nes oom Jan, ‘n koelkop raadgewer. So gebeur dit dat ek (nogal dikwels) my lot by hom bekla as Elsofie (en/of haar vriendinne) my lewe interessant kom maak het.

Nes oom Jan luister hy gewoonlik met groot empatie na my treurmares, want hy ken sekerlik ook die vroulike geslag – en dan oordink hy die saak ‘n bietjie, en dan sê hy (met groot deernis): “Kom, kom ons gaan piepie.”

Ek groet, Jan Booyens. Jy het ‘n leemte gelaat in Leebstraat, maar jy het nog altyd ‘n sê hier in die Pretorius-huis.

A Tribute: Patricia Mary Goudie: 20 March 1930 - 21 August 2008

- Renee Finn -

Pat, née Long, was born on the 20 March 1930 in Muizenberg, Cape Town. She attended school at the Star of the Sea Convent, St James and was a keen English scholar whose particular love was for poetry. She achieved the highest marks in the Western Cape for English in her Matric year.

After leaving school she worked for M Bertish and Co. in their advertising department and from her office window she watched the arrival and departure of the Union Castle liners and dreamt of sailing away one day on her honeymoon. Pat was already active in the Anglican Church community, serving as Secretary of the Young People’s Fellowship at her parish in Plumstead.

Pat and Keith met on a blind date at a friend’s 21st birthday party and discovered they shared interests in hiking, sport and mountain climbing. Weekends would often find them boarding a steam train in Plumstead at 5.00am, heading for Cape Town station, where they would catch a bus to Kloofnek and then climb up Table Mountain. Keith, with a twinkle in his eye, remembers Pat had extremely good legs for climbing and dancing!

Some Saturday afternoons Pat watched Keith as he played rugby, which was followed by pies and beer at their favourite pub before they went dancing. Keith was still studying at UCT to become a Chartered Accountant, when, after two years of courting, they were married at Christ Church, Kenilworth on the 22nd of May, 1954. Pat’s dream came true when they sailed from Cape Town on the Dunnottar Castle, bound for Tilbury Docks, London.

Their honeymoon took them to Scotland, where Keith’s father had been born, and where the country folk could hardly be understood. They bought a tandem and cycled throughout Europe for three months. Keith found the pedalling became tiring when he discovered he was pedalling for 2 ½ people, and decided to bring Pat home. Their family grew as the years passed and they had three sons and a daughter.

After Keith retired and they were on a visit to George, Pat expressed an interest in visiting Prince Albert. They stayed in one of Alta Rossouw’s houses for the grand sum of R10 pppn, which pleased Keith’s Scot’s purse. Within a short time they bought their house for R28 000.00 and started their new, busy life in the village. The next seventeen years saw them involved in many activities.

When Pat was suddenly diagnosed with cancer in August and transferred to Tygerberg Hospital, she bravely accepted the fact that her life was drawing to a close.

One night she and Keith recalled their younger days together and even sang some ribald songs, adapting one to their present circumstances. A nurse came to listen and then ran off to gather her colleagues to “come and hear what the two old people are singing:”

Morphine Bill and Cocaine Sue
Walking down 5th Avenue
She says: “Honey have a sniff, have a sniff on me
Honey have a sniff, sniff on me!”

So ashes to ashes and dust to dust,
If the coke don’t get you
then the morphine must,
“Honey have a sniff, have a sniff on me
Honey have a sniff, sniff on me!”

Pat died quietly on 21st August 2008. A memorial service was held for her at Christ Church, Kenilworth, where she and Keith had been wed and where they worshipped as a family for many years.

Their friends in Prince Albert joined the family in a service of thanksgiving for Pat at the NG Kerk four days later. We give thanks for Pat’s life among us and pray for Keith and their children as they feel her absence and remember her with love.

Valentine Lange (née Reinecke) - 12/09/1946 – 12/09/2008

- Mary Anne Botha -

I offer this tribute to a friend in the hope that it will trigger memories for others, aware that I can only point to the complex wonderful person who lived in our community for ten years of her life.

I know very little of Valentine's life prior to our meeting in Johannesburg on the eve of her departure for Prince Albert. For my part I was happy, recognising that we would be living in the same town and that I had things to learn from her. I wouldn't say that we were instant friends, for she was never very interested in liking or being liked. She practised the wisdom of being who she was, no more no less.
I am reluctant to put words to the kind of person that she was, to 'freeze' her into a characterisation, but yes, Valentine was a strong individual. She was feisty rather than fey; content rather than happy; conscious rather than charming; spacious rather than spacey and steely rather than soft.

She was a good friend, loyal but never a flatterer, as her keen intelligence did not tolerate foolishness in those close to her. I learned from her, noting how she did things. She offered me (and many others) insights into her world - its energies, its flux, its decay and renewal. She was in tune with her environment and was a wonderful guide in the surrounding landscape.

She made and surrounded herself with beautiful things: crystals and strings of coloured glass beads to capture the light; chimes to catch the wind; textures and colour and patterns. She gardened with rocks and pebbles as well as plants; she knitted stylish jerseys 'for poor babies' while she watched Oprah and Egoli (of late switching her allegiance to Sewende Laan). She blended great pawpaw smoothies and concocted a delicious 'feijoada', for every special occasion.

She opened her home to visitors and students, and although a woman happy to keep her own company, her strong spiritual purpose drove her to communicate with others.

She walked the path of a healer, practising a form of healing kindness known as reiki, which she described as working with 'the life force behind every human being'. She readily taught others the skills inherent in her healing disciplines.

She loved Prince Albert, and only left for Pretoria when her ill health prevented her from being able to earn a living. There, as big sister to her brother Pieter and sister Martinda, she was supported by her family during her last two years. Friends continued to visit her and to be trained, informally as well as formally!

Dear friend, as your journey continues, may you be fearless and without illusion, and may you realise the freedom and purity of your abiding nature.

Daar was maar één Anthonie Steyl

- Dr Isak Steyl -

In sy huldeblyk tydens die begrafnis van sy broer Anthonie het Isak Steyl die volgende gesê: “Ek dink die bekende woorde van die Afrikaanse digter Jan Cilliers is baie gepas by hierdie geleentheid: “Stil broers. Hier gaan ‘n man verby. Daar was maar een soos hy.”

Anthonie Steyl is 97 jaar gelede gebore in die Prince Albert distrik en daar het hy arm – baie arm – grootgeword as een van ‘n baie ruim maar hegte gesin. Hy het die voordele van ‘n liefdevolle ouerhuis en die warmte van meelewende broers en susters geniet.

Op ‘n jong ouderdom het hy sy ouerhuis verlaat om ‘n heenkome op Prince Albert te vind. Al het hy teen ‘n geringe salaris as winkelassistent begin werk, het hy groot ideale gekoester. Hy was baie opgewonde toe ‘n tante op Beaufort-Wes vir hom ‘n werk gekry het teen £1-10-00 (R3) per maand, en hy losies kon kry teen £2 (R4) per maand. Sy pa moes egter vra: “Is jy verspot, hoe kan jy vir minder as jou losiesgeld werk?” Isak vertel dat sy broer se antwoord was: “Ek het geglo as ek net ‘n begin in die lewe kon kry, sou ek regkom.”

Ja, Anthonie Steyl het in homself en in die toekoms geglo en net ‘n geleentheid gesoek om homself te bewys. Hy was suksesvol as winkelassistent en het na ‘n aantal jare sy eie besigheid begin – sonder geld, maar met die vermöe om hard te werk. Hy het eers ‘n slaghuis geopen, daarna ‘n algemene handelaarswinkel, toe ‘n busdiens bedryf en uiteindelik ‘n tabakfabriek oorgeneem en ‘n welgestelde en suksesvolle sakeman geword.

As gevestigde sakeman het hy sy dienste met oorgawe aan die gemeenskap beskikbaar gestel. In die Munisipale Raad het hy etlike jare gedien, in 1955 as onderburgemeester; in die Afdelingsraad het hy sy bydrae gemaak vanaf 1964 tot 1987; in die Skoolraad het hy sy plek volgestaan; hy was voorsitter van die Nasionale Party van Prince Albert vanaf 1950 tot 1967; in die Kerkraad het hy groot belangstelling getoon in die kerktoring-horlosie, waarna hy omgesien het vanaf 1971 tot 1992. Hy het selfs op die ouderdom van 81 jaar nog dikwels met die trappe tot by die horlosie geklim ...

Sy stokperdjie was duiwe vlieg, maar ook dié tydverdryf het hy só ernstig aangepak dat dit in ‘n goed-georganiseerde telery ontwikkel het! ‘n Tyd lank het hy chinchillas op groot skaal aangehou en die velle bemark. Daar was selfs tyd om gereeld te gaan skyfskiet.

Anthonie was ‘n ware steunpilaar vir sy ouers en het later sy vader se besigheidstransaksies ten volle behartig en vir sy hele familie was hy ‘n stewige anker, veral in die dae toe die eens groot gesin al kleiner en kleiner geword het.

Daar was mense wat hom as ongenaakbaar beskou het, maar hy was ook hard en eerlik teenoor homself. Hy het self besluit die tyd is reg om te verhuis na Huis Kweekvallei, al was dit baie moeilik om die vryheid en ruimte van ‘n eie woning prys te gee. Toe sy oë verswak het, het hy self besluit om van sy motor ontslae te raak, al was dit hóé traumaties vir hom.

Anthonie het tot op die einde ‘n skerp en helder brein gehad. Hy kon probleme korrek analiseer en logiese oplossings vind, nie met ingewikkelde formules nie, maar met gewone “common sense”.

In sy laaste jare het hy baie meer getemper geleef en ‘n rustiger lewenshouding ontwikkel. Nou, skielik, is hy weg – sy stem is stil; dit is ‘n einde van ‘n era.

Anthonie Steyl se nalatenskap aan sy familie en die gemeenskap waarin hy geleef het is tydloos.

Fanus Smit 1952 - 2008

- Chrisna Smit -

Dit is met hartseer dat die gemeenskap van Prins Albert afskeid neem van Fanus Smit, wat Maandag 12 Mei 2008 in die ouderdom van 56 jaar oorlede is.

Fanus het as 5-jarige saam met sy ouers, Stephanus en Hester Smit, op Prins Albert kom woon. Sy ouers het onder meer die bakery besit en sy pa was ‘n bekende bouer en sakeman op die dorp.

Fanus het sy skoolloopbaan aan Hoërskool Zwartberg voltooi, onder die bekwame leiding van onderwysers soos Alta Rossouw en Tiekie Steyn.

Hy het ‘n groot deel van sy lewe as boer op die plaas deurgebring en het in 1985 ‘n winkel op die dorp oopgemaak. Vandaar het sy smousery met groente en vrugte begin, wat hom welbekend in Leeu-Gamka, Klaarstroom en selfs Willowmore gemaak het.

Sy klein bakkie, volgelaai met groente en vrugte, was ‘n welbekende gesig in die strate van Prins Albert. Daar is baie Prins Alberters wat die lekker appels uit die Langkloof gaan mis.

Ons innige meegevoel met Ouma Hester, Lizzie, Stephan, Johann en Lizél met hul verlies. Ons bid dat die Here hulle sal vertroos en die krag sal gee om elke dag aan te gaan.

Totsiens Fanus, mag jy sag rus in God se hand.

‘n Ster het verskiet !!!!

- Diana Koorts -

Die jaar het op ’n tragiese noot begin vir die Maartins-gesin asook Hoërskool Zwartberg. Rivaldo is ernstig beseer in ’n ongeluk op Nuwejaar. Hy is dadelik oorgeplaas George toe, maar is kort na sy aankoms oorlede as gevolg van inwendige beserings.

Hy was verlede jaar in gr. 2. Rivaldo was ’n lieflingskind... net elke dag ingestel om almal om hom te plesier en goed te doen.Hy was die enigste een in sy klas vir wie daar reg deur die jaar nooit moes aangepraat word soos: bly stil/doen jou werk/voltooi jou taakkaart/ens.Rivaldo was te alle tye op sy plek,besig om sy werk netjies en korrek te voltooi!

Hy was ’n stil seuntjie, baie gehoorsaam—werklik ’n droom leerder vir enige onderwyser/es! Hy het nooit hals oor kop vrae beantwoord nie- alle vrae is altyd goed oordink en dan beantwoord.Hy het ook ’n spesiale aanvoeling met diere gehad en hul so goed en getrou versorg.

Rivaldo sal onthou word as die pragtige seun met die groot ronde oë en die vriendelike glimlag. Vir ons wat agterbly is dit baie swaar, want sy plekkie in die klas is leeg en sy stem is stil.Hy is verseker geroep tot Hoër Diens – sy aardse werk was voltooi.

Aan sy ouers – wees getroos daarin dat julle ALLES opgeoffer het om vir hom die beste 9 jaar moontlik te maak.Julle is wonderlike ouers—‘n “bloudruk” wat almal kan navolg.

Henna Mostert van die Kloof sterf

- Denise Ohlson -

Sy was ‘n waardige en beminde vrou en daarby ‘n presiese en netjiese mens. Veral was sy iemand met ‘n diepe godsdienssin - iets wat haar haar sterfuur nugter en kalm tegemoet laat gaan het.”

Só het ds Johan Botes van die Groote Kerk in Kaapstad gesê tydens Henna Mostert se begrafnisdiens – wat hy in Prince Albert waargeneem het. Ds Botes het voor Henna grootgeword in die jare toe sy en haar man, Willie Mostert, in die Kaap gewoon het.

Die teks by die geleentheid was 2 Tim 4:6 en 7: “Die tyd van my dood is voor die deur. Ek het die goeie wedloop afgelê ... ek het gelowig enduit volgehou.” Haar twee kinders, Pieter Mostert en Hettie Kok, asook haar kleinkinders, Herman en Elzanne, was almal teenwoordig.

Die Mosterts het altyd sterk bande met die Karoo gehad. Henna en Willie is beide in Gamkaskloof gebore, waar hulle ook skoolgegaan het.

Hulle het egter nie net met die omgewing ‘n sterk band gehad nie, maar hulle ook intiem verweef gevoel met die kerk op Prince Albert. Dit was dus te verstane dat hulle, ná Willie se aftrede, weer in hul wiegdorp sou kom nesskop.

Ds Botes het in sy boodskap onderstreep dat die oorledene ‘n vasberade mens met uithouvermoë was. Die verswakking in haar liggaamskragte ten spyt, sy het haar einde gelowig, waardig en met gesonde realisme tegemoetgegaan. “Dit is só ‘n manier van lewe en sterwe wat juis kwaliteit aan die lewe verleen, en hierin was Henna Mostert ‘n goeie voorbeeld.”.

Johanna Elizabeth Mostert is op 4 Maart 1923 gebore en het op 7 Januarie 2008 gesterf. Die begrafnisdiens is op 11 Januarie 2008 gehou en ‘n familievriend uit die Oos-Kaap, Johan van Eck, het spesiaal na Prins Albert gereis om die orrelbegeleiding te waar te neem.

Die mense van Prince Albert sal Henna Mostert se kraakskoon persoon, mooi tuin, perfekte huishouding en verstommende werkywer onthou. Haar hande het vir alles reggestaan- en sy het haar plek oral en met graagte volgestaan.

In Memoriam Denzil Leslie Reid - 1946 to 2007

- Romy Mathews -

Denzil Reid passed away in October after a short illness.

Some of us in Prince Albert will remember Denzil for his willingness to respond to pleas of help regarding accounting problems. His calm yet cheerful manner did much to assist those with debit/credit brain malfunction!

He was treasurer of the Prince Albert Tourism Office and will be sorely missed by both Zelia and Chantelle as he was always only a phone call away.

Others of us think of Denzil in his Karoo garden, where in a very short time, he worked the stony barrenness into a little green and pretty oasis. He loved Prince Albert and the vast openness of the Great Karoo and was certainly very happy during the time he lived here.


Our condolences go to Shireen and his family. We will miss him, too. May he rest in peace.

Helena Olivier 1908 - 2007

- Kevin Reynolds -

Helena Olivier passed away at Huis Kweekvallei in her 100th year on 29 May 2007.

She was born in Williston on 4 February 1908. After her schooling in Tulbagh, Lenie, as she was affectionately known, qualified as a nursing sister in Cape Town. She married Louis Olivier in 1944 in Pietersburg where she served as matron of the Martha Hofmeyer nursing home for approximately ten years and worked for many years in the Department of Health as the district surgeon’s nursing sister.

In 1977, three years following the death of her husband she moved to Oudtshoorn to marry Pieter, also surnamed Olivier. A couple of years later they settled in Prince Albert where Piet and his son, Herman, purchased the farm Vrisgewaagd.

Piet and Lenie lived in Klip Street until 1998 when failing health forced them to move to Huis Kweekvallei. Piet passed away there in 2003 after being confined to bed for five years.

As the accompanying photograph indicates, taken but two months before her death, Lenie always took pride in her appearance, which the caring staff of Kweekvallei aided in her twilight years.

Lenie leaves an only daughter, Louise, of her first marriage and a stepdaughter, Christa Lategan, and a stepson, Herman Olivier, of her second marriage.

“Ta Bêkie” 1906 - 2007

- Samie Luttig en Ailsa Tudhope -

Op Woendag 8 Augustus het familelede en vriende afskeid geneem van Anna Elizabeth Weatherhead, gebore Luttig, ons geliefde Ouma, Moeder, Tante en vriendin - Ta Bêkie soos sy alom bekend was onder familie en vriende.

Sy was die dogter van Samie en Bessie Luttig, gebore op 26 November 1906. Sy het in ’n Christelike ouerhuis groot geword en het ook daardie beginsels in haar lewe uitgeleef. Haar laaste skooljare was sy in Gill Kollege, Somerset Oos en vandaar is sy na die destydse Rhodesië, waar sy met Tim Weatherhead getroud is.

Sy was ’n omgeemens wat geleef het vir haar gesin, familie en medemens. Wat ons van Ta Bêkie geleer het en sal onthou, is om altyd positief vorentoe te leef. Sy het altyd gesê “Bêkie, you can do it!” Sy laat agter haar drie seuns John, Geoff en Andy en kleinkinders. Ons sal jou mis Ta Bêkie en jou plek sal leeg wees. Rus in Vrede.

Betty’s youngest son, Andy and his family had spent the previous ten days in Prince Albert, during which time Betty had rallied a little. Andy was able to delay his flight home to Australia to be present at her memorial service, where he spoke with deep emotion. Betty’s grandson’s Paul and great-grandson Matthew had driven up from Cape Town, so all three generations of her immediate family were represented at the service, conducted by Dr Chris Briers. Her godson, Carl Luttig had flown in from Melbourne and with Maralize, Samie, Johanna and their children, bade farewell to the oldest, and dearest, member of the Luttig family.

Betty returned to Prince Albert from Zimbabwe in 1999, taking up residence at Huis Kweekvallei. She was soon attending Thursday Group meetings and the Anglican Fellowship group, where her straightforward, intimate chats with God enhanced their time of prayer. Reinie made sure she received stimulating reading matter on Library days. At the age of 95 Betty asked Reinie to bring her a Harry Potter book, since everyone seemed to be talking about them. Harry didn’t really suit her though, a good mystery story or a biography were more her style. Her own stories were fascinating and she was more than happy to share memories of her younger days in Prince Albert, with many a laugh and a naughty twinkle.

At her hundredth birthday in November last year Betty was in fine form and relished the grand family gathering in her honour. We give thanks for Betty, who enriched our lives and we will remember her with joy.

Helena Marincowitz: 1931 – 2007

- Dawid Rossouw -

Wat ‘n uitsonderlike mens! Sy sal gemis word omdat sy ‘n prominente rol oor ‘n lang tydperk op vele terreine gespeel het en ‘n verskil gemaak het, maar sy sal onthou word vir wat sy nagelaat het, ‘n duidelike, rigting-gewende voetspoor.

Of dit nou in die beheerraad van die skool, die kerkraad, VLV bestuur, die museum se beheerraad, ouetehuis, Stigting Simon van der Stel of watter baie ander organisasies sy ookal gedien het, haar opinie is gerespekteer en haar dryfkrag het geïnspireer.

Met ‘n graad in huishoudkunde was sy goed toegerus toe sy haar saam met Pat op Sleutelfontein gevestig het. Haar rol as boervrou het sy uitstekend vervul en ook nog kans gesien om ‘n leidende rol in Klaarstroom en Prins Albert te speel, veral in die VLV. Met spin en weef, kleur van vesel het sy meester-stukke gelewer. Ragfyne borduurwerk deur haar flytige hande is nie net in SA bewonder nie, maar het ook internasionale erkenning verwerf.

Geleidelik het haar wye belangstelling op die kultuur en argitektuur begin fokus. Sy was ‘n ywerige, kundige en meelewende Voortrekker offisier. Saam met die Volstruise is staptogte onderneem, naweke op die berg geslaap, inlywingseremonies beleef en kentekens verwerf. Die jeug-kultuur aktiwiteit het met haar kennis en entoesiasme op Prins Albert geblom en haar liefde vir kinders sal voortleef in Voortrekker-gedagtes.

Helena en die museum is een. Van ‘n eenmansbelangstelling het sy die museum laat groei tot gemeenskaps trots. Haar wonderlike vermoë om baie dinge te doen en ander die eer te gee, is kenmerkend. En wanneer sy self nie iets kon doen nie, het sy haar oorredingsvermoë gebruik en is haar versoek met liefde uitgevoer. Sy kon glo in ‘n saak en dan werk, dink en praat sy voluit en deins vir niks terug nie.

Haar insig dat die karakter van Prins Albert in sy kultuurbate behoue moet bly, het meegebring dat baie geboue hier as gedenkwaardighede verklaar is, dat vervalle en geskende geboue outentiek gerestoureer is en vandag die bewondering van besoekers afdwing en beslis ‘n bydrae maak tot toerisme en dus ekonomiese groei. As stigter en rolspeler in die estetiese komitee het sy die hande van die munisipaliteit versterk om geboue te bewaar. Haar uitdrukking dat as een van ons historiese geboue sou verdwyn, dit sou lyk soos ‘n voortand wat vermis word, was reg in die kol, gepas. Terloops, aan die suidekant van Orton se winkel staan ‘n muur wat halfpad afgebreek is. Haar opdrag was : “stop dit”. Mag die muur ‘n stille getuie wees van haar stryd om te bewaar wat eie aan Prins Albert is.

Mense sê as iemand met ‘n wye kennis te sterf kom, brand ‘n biblioteek af. Helena het haar kennis vir ons in ‘n brandkluis gesit toe sy oor jare ywerige navorsing gedoen het en meer as 15 boeke nagelaat het. Wat ‘n skat!

Helena se krag het gelê in haar geloof in haarself, geloof in haar Skepper en haar geaardheid dat as sy nie iets goeds kan sê en doen nie, doen of sê sy dit nie. Gevolglik het sy wye ondersteuning en vriendskapsbande onder ons bruin-, Afrikaans- en anderstalige gemeenskap gehad.

Gepas sal tydens die Heritage South Africa Symposuim (10 en 11 Augustus) ‘n toekenning op hoë vlak aan haar gemaak word. Dit sal die kroon span op ‘n ryke en vrugbare lewe in diens van haar Meester en gemeenskap.

Ons eer haar nagedagtenis en bid haar man, Pat, en kinders vertroosting toe.

Museum News: Autographs

One morning whilst going through drawers and cupboards that haven’t been opened in years, I discovered an old autograph book from the 1890’s. When Jonathan arrived, I show-ed it to him.

Working together, sharing the work load, the funny and difficult situations of our kind of job, we paged through this old, precious book and discovered the most beautiful poems and drawings. We read through poems written by well known residents of Prince Albert, like Dr. John Mearns, district surgeon from 1879 to 1901. Jonathan looked up and said: “I think you should write about this autograph book when you do your next article for the paper.” At that stage I didn’t think much of it, and for heaven’s sake, what could I possibly have to say about an old book with lovely poems and pen sketches from years gone by?

Now, everything has changed! After his fall, Jonathan was hospitalised for a week. He never regained consciousness, and passed away. We are all in a state of shock. Phones are ringing, sad and worried friends come and go, and when I sat down to take a breather, I noticed the autograph book lying on my desk.

I then realised that, right now, the whole museum is like an “autograph” of Jonathan. Everywhere I look, everywhere I go, there’s a reminder of him: The good laughs we had, he and Virna eating toffees while they did the minutes from the previous Board Meeting, the chats on the stoep with visitors, helping me with my computer problems, or handing out information about our town that he loved so dearly.
Jonathan was a “walking encyclopaedia” and we could ask him anything about Prince Albert, he always had an answer ready.

In memory of Jonathan, I would like to share some of the old poems with you.

LIVE TODAY
Make a little fence of trust
Around today;
Fill the space with loving work,
And therein stay.
Look not through the sheltering bar
Upon tomorrow;
God will help thee bear
What comes,
Of joy or sorrow.
(L. Hugo 1890)

The End of a Perfect Day
O would some power thee give us
To see ourselves as others see us,
It would from many blunder free us
(J.M. Helman, 1910)

Jonathan was forever correcting my English, and as a tribute to him, my article this month is in English. Thank you, Jonathan, you were a good teacher.

Museum greetings
Debbie Badenhorst

In Memoriam: Jonathan Alfred Rolfe: 3 August 1950 – 1 July 2007

- Judy Maguire –

Many Prince Alberters have been left with a stunned feeling of disbelief and unreality at the untimely death of Jonathan Rolfe. Prince Albert is just not the same any more without him. He was one of the town’s most well-known and best-loved characters – one of a kind, unique. It was impossible to drive through the village and not see Jonathan on the Museum veranda, usually in tee-shirt, jeans and sandals, cigarette between his fingers, smiling and twinkling at you from behind his glasses.

His kindness, open-hearted generosity and helpfulness were legendary, and his friendliness attracted people of all ages and from all walks of life. He was known by everyone and so did he know everyone, and was quick to offer an interesting “take’ on everything that was going on in town. He was a ‘front of house’ person par excellence and his absence from the Fransie Pienaar Museum will be particularly keenly felt – it is strangely empty now without his cheery presence, and even seems dark. He will continue to be sorely missed.

Jonathan was born in Cape Town and went to school at CBC in Seapoint. After matriculating, he first worked for a bank before transferring to the Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery, where he worked for many years. After that, he worked for Gilbey’s – also for many years - before retiring to Prince Albert. A little-known fact about Jonathan was that he had green fingers and enjoyed growing roses and orchids in his pre-Prince Albert days. Despite his friendliness, he could be a very private person.

Jonathan loved Prince Albert and his home – always open to everyone – at ‘The Views’. He enjoyed having his family, friends and animals about him and was one of those rare beings – relaxed, happy and contented. His front – and back – stoeps were the friendliest most welcoming places in town, and friends often gathered there to chat.

He was inordinately proud of his wife, Joy, his daughter Trish, and his niece Zara, and nothing was too much trouble to ensure their well-being. Our hearts go out to them at this sad and lonely time. We townsfolk can console ourselves with the memory of the warm and human presence that his friendship, generosity and kindness brought into our lives. It was an enriching experience to have known this very special person.

In loving memory of Anton Beukes: 25th August 1962 - 30th June 2007

Father to Evan – Ruan and Anton and partner to Louis. Friend to all who crossed his path Anton was lovingly known as our Handy Man. With no job too small he was always willing to assist and was meticulous in his work.

Anton could turn his hand to anything from gardening to wood work – he had just completed the most beautiful shaded veranda at the back of Die Kuierhuis.

Anton was my friend and no matter the time of day he was always there to help me, he was a reserved man who held himself to himself. Anton was kind, gentle, caring and considerate; all you have to do is look at the beautiful garden he has created.

“We seem to give them back to You -
O God, Who gave them to us.
Yet, as You did not lose them in giving so do we not lose them by their return
Not as the world gives, do you give, O Lover of souls.
What You give, You do not take away, for what is Yours is ours also if we are Yours.

And life is eternal and love is immortal,
And death is only an horizon and an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.

Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see further: draw us closer to Yourself that we may know ourselves to be nearer to our loved ones who are with You.”