Street names reflect history 6 – I & J
A father and son – both historians – a war hero, a cartographer and a long-standing dominee all lent their names to Potchefstroom street names starting with an “I” and a “J”. Iris Street (Grimbeekpark) Senex is of the opinion that Iris Street was named after one of...
As ’n biblioteek brand . . .
Die brand wat die biblioteek van die Universiteit van Kaapstad Sondag deels in puin gelê het, het boekliefhebbers én dié wat die geskiedenis van die Ferdinand Postma-biblioteek ken, laat sidder. In 1949 is die biblioteek van die destydse Potchefstroomse...
Street names reflect history 5 – G & H
Many colourful characters are remembered in streets named after them. Under the G’s and H’s are a stable boy, one of the first owners of a car – nicknamed “Knight of the Road” and Potchefstroom’s first tree hugger. “Knight of the road” Gaisford Street (Potchindustria)...
Street names reflect history 4 – D, E and F
An excessive smoker, the intriguing “Dicky birds” and a businessman supporting Potchefstroom’s most famous athlete all contributed their names to these street names. Not all street names are included, only those which have a direct link to the history of...
Old Grimbeekhuis – a gem in our midst
Set like a fine diamond in the setting of its verdant gardens, the Old Grimbeekhuis in Herman Street in Grimbeek Park, is a treasure in our midst. This is how it is described by a reviewer on social media. The Old Grimbeekhuis is very near to my heart. In the early...
Street names reflect history 3 – Names starting with a C
From a prominent citizen who died in a plane crash in Greece to the first principal of Potchefstroom Gimnasium, Potchefstroom street names starting with a “C” tells the story of the many-faceted history of our city. Street name and building remembers businessman...
Potchefstroom oorstroom
Met die baie reën die afgelope tyd en foto’s en video’s van oorvol riviere wat die media oorspoel, is oorstromings op almal se lippe. Onlangs was daar verskeie berigte in die Herald van mense wat verdrink het. Boonop was dit onlangs die 40ste herdenking van die...
Street names reflect history 2
The first person to wear the mayor’s robe and the saviour of an ox-wagon has lent their names to street names starting with a “B”. The wealth of Potchefstroom’s history, being the oldest town north of the Vaal River, is reflected in its street names. Many streets are...
Street names reflect history 1
The wealth of Potchefstroom’s history, being the oldest town north of the Vaal River, is reflected in its street names. The most unusual origin of a Potchefstroom street name might be Grietjie Street in Dassierand, which was named after a canon. Zeederberg Street,...
Jack Borrius – a man of many adventures
He lost an eye in a war, rubbed shoulders with many famous South Africans, including the two Boer generals Jan Smuts and Louis Botha, Cecil John Rhodes and Dr Leander Starr Jameson, leader of the Jameson Raid. He was Jack Borrius, eldest son of the pioneer printer of...