AREA FOCUS
Hartbeesfontein
The Heartbeat of the Northwest
“ As die geelperskereën veertien dae in die boorde val , en dit reën bietjie-bietjie en dit reën bietjie-bietjie en dit reën in die Wes-Transvaal .” Anton Goosen gave prominence to this Northwest town with his popular song , Geelperskereën .
By Aubrey Kruger
People , particularly in the Eastern Cape , may wonder where this little town is . In the heart of the Northwest between Klerksdorp ( 29km ), Ottosdal ( 43km ), Coligny ( 55km ) and Ventersdorp ( 55km ), with Lichtenburg 72km away .
THE BEGINNING
Hartbeesfontein was established as a result of 2 540 families who moved in a north-eastern direction from 1835 to 1845 . Some of them established themselves on the opposite side of the Vaal River . Willie Lemmer , one of the people who helped to write a book , Hartbeesfontein 1870 to 2013 , tells us that some of the farms were inhabited between 1845 and 1850 .
The first families who moved into the area were Badenhorst , Lemmer , Vermaas , Jooste and Lombaard . A few members of these old families still live in the area .
Hartbeesfontein got its name from the fountain which still runs from time to time . Legend has it that a few Voortrekkers wounded a hartebeest and followed the blood trail to the fountain .
SENWES
According to locals this community is blessed with Senwes . Senwes was established by a group of farmers from the area , some of whom from Ottosdal and Hartbeesfontein .
BRANCH
The manager here is Waldo Venter . According to staff : “ This branch has a wonderful relationship with the community . It is very special that even the producers know everyone in the branch ."
The current branch , with 21 members of staff , is situated at the third location since its establishment and has been located on the Ottosdal road since 1984 . The previous branches are now a hardware ship and a mill respectively .
HARTBEESFONTEIN SILO
Die Senwes silo is a familiar landmark in town and Hardé Lochenberg is the silo manager .
Hartbeesfontein silo was opened by the Minister of Agriculture , Hendrik Schoeman , on 12 May 1978 . The silo mostly handles maize , sunflower , wheat and soybeans . The silo has 20 silo bins with a total capacity of 101 000 tons . The silo was almost full in 2014 , when 91 000 tons of grain were received .
LANDMARKS IN TOWN
The signal tower becomes visible kilometres from town , where it casts a long shadow over the town . It is 265 metres high and number 10 on the list of the highest structures in South Africa .
The management of the Hartbeesfontein Farmers Union recently developed a safety network . It monitors the whole district with up to 16 cameras to protect producers and other families living on farms . It is one of just a few similar networks in the country .
The residents of the Evanna Home are described as the town ' s pearls . The home was built in 1969 and more than 100 senior citizens and mentally handicapped patients are being cared for by 42 members of staff in a way that touches people ' s hearts . The town also has its own local coffee shop , diagonally across the post office . It used to be a butchery , where Fanie Buys worked for many years .
A number of large businesses are also situated in town , such as the Staalmeesters Group , Scheepers Tombstone Manufacturers and a large broiler plant . There is even a ginger factory . The Battle of Hartbeesfontein was fought amongst the hills between this town and Coligny .
A number of game farms can be found in the area , such as Thaba Tshwene Lodge , Shingalala Game Lodge and Thaba Monate . The current NG Church was built in 1959 and the hall dates from 1930 . A museum is located on the premises as well . It is a farmers ' town , as is evident from the name of the guesthouses - @ JD Farm Lodge , Farmhouse and Villa Rosa .
WELL-KNOWN INHABITANTS
The South African composer , professor PJ Lemmer , hailed from Hartbeesfontein , former school principal AJ Koen was the director of education and Dr Fred du Plessis was the chairman of Sanlam . All
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SENWES SCENARIO | AUTUMN 2018