AREA FOCUS
More than just the N12 in
Wollies
Be honest. What do you really know about Wolmaransstad apart from the fact that it is
situated on the N12?
By Aubrey Kruger
I
n the beginning Wolmaransstad and
surrounding areas were known for
sheep farming. This little town on the
N12 treasure route, which stretches
from Johannesburg to the Cape, is still
just a little dot on the map of most people
on their way to another destination.
THE FOUNDING OF THE TOWN
Prepare for a Northwest lesson. The town
is situated approximately 80 km from
Klerksdorp and 56 km from Bloemhof. The
town was initially founded in 1888 on the
farms Rooderand and Vlakfontein and was
officially declared a town three years later,
in 1891. And no, Wolmaransstad was
not named for its sheep farming. It was
named after Jacobus M.A. Wolmarans,
a former municipal board member.
Interesting.
FROM GRAIN TOWN TO
SNOW WHITE FAIRYLAND
Wolmaransstad is firstly a grain town, with
mainly maize and sunflower produced
here. Locals tell us that, as in other parts of
the country, they are also producing more
soybeans nowadays, due to the current
maize prices. However, some are wary of
this crop.
Good news is that the town may be
converted to a white fairyland, with cotton
having surfaced again. The first cotton
picker in the Senwes area, a John-Deere
CS690, was bought by the Schweizer-
Cotton Group.
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SENWES SCENARIO | WINTER 2018
WELL-KNOWN LANDMARKS IN TOWN
The bridge over the Makwassie River as
you enter the town, is the most important
source of water in the area - this was
realised once again in 2017 when it broke
its banks and the inhabitants were cut off
from the rest of the country.
There are many landmarks to be seen
in town. The Biltong Den is a popular stop
and right next to the river you will find De
Wijnwinkel and brewery of Gert and Wilna
Jacobs, where you can taste wine and
other delicacies which the pharmacist in
town will put on the table for you.
Down the road you will find the nostal-
gic Thomas Leask Guest House, where
former President Paul Kruger stayed on
occasion. The Leasks were the first busi-
ness people in town.
Amongst all the red chain stores in
town, you will find a memorial tablet
which can be missed by even the most
experienced historians amongst us. It
commemorates the first Transvaal mis-
sion station which was situated 15 km
from Wolmaransstad on the farm Witpoort
in 1822. Reverend S. Broadbent and
Reverend T.L. Hodgson, Weslyan mission-
aries, were the first westerners to cross
the Vaal River. Two streets in town were
also named after Broadbent and Leask.
You will also find a number of diamond
mines in the area, where buyers from far
and wide come to buy these sought-after
gemstones. Our focus producer, Buks van
Wyk, is one of these miners. NG Church in town was designed by the
famous architect, Gerard Moerdijk, who
also designed the Voortrekker Monument
and a few other church buildings in the
country.
The Reformed Church has been in
town since 1954. The original building
was used as a movie theatre before it was
demolished.
An important annual school event
is the FNB Classic Clash between
Wolmaransstad High School in town and
Schoonspruit High School in Klerksdorp.
CHURCHES
As always, churches are in our focus. The NEW BRANCH
Staff cannot talk enough about the new
WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE FROM
THE AREA
The old profit, Siener van Rensburg and
his family, are from this area and if you
want to take the trouble, the Siener van
Rensburg cemetery is very interesting.
Former politician Brand Fourie is also from
the area.
THE HINTERLAND BRANCH
Another W in Wollies is Willem Spies,
branch manager at the Hinterland branch,
where he and his 23 members of staff
are converting Wollies into a Senwes and
Hinterland paradise.
Senwes Equipment has been in town
for the past 12 years. They started the
retail business six years ago and in August
2017 the shop was enlarged from 32m² to
170m². A number of exciting things will be
revealed when the new branch opens in
2018.