Echoes of Krugersdorp: The old magistrate's court
In the second edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, the Krugersdorp News, which partnered with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), will explore the history of the old Magistrate's Court.
Co-founder of the KHA, Jaco Mattheyse, states that no other building in Krugersdorp is as closely related to the early history of our town as the one located on Commissioner Street in the CBD. This building houses the newly refurbished Mogale City Museum and is situated across the street from Town Hall, as discussed in the previous article.
• Also read: Echoes of Krugersdorp: Town Hall and its rich history
'Krugersdorp was laid out in a manner typical of Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) in Transvaal towns throughout the old Boer Republic. The Transvaal government aligned itself more closely with continental Europe, where towns are arranged around a central square [as seen in Pretoria, where Church Square forms the center of the capital].
Krugersdorp's square was bordered by Kommisaris, Markt, President, and Kruger streets and primarily served as the main center of commerce,' he said.
Read the full story in this week's edition of the News dated April 25.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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The Citizen
03-05-2025
- The Citizen
Going back in time – 131 years of gentlemen socialising
In the third edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, which the Krugersdorp News partnered with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), we will journey down memory lane to explore the history of Krugersdorp's oldest pub, The Krugersdorp Club. • Also read: Echoes of Krugersdorp: The old magistrate's court Background Co-founder of the KHA, Jaco Mattheyse, said before we explore the history of The Krugersdorp Club, it's important to understand the broader concept of gentlemen's clubs as they existed in the late Victorian period. 'This type of establishment was by no means unique to Krugersdorp – it was a crucial amenity found in any self-respecting town, city, or metropolis throughout the English-speaking world. In the 19th century, family was considered one of the cornerstones of a man's life. While a man's home was his castle, often it wasn't the refuge of comfort and privacy one might expect, especially for the elite. Their homes frequently hosted dinners, formal teas, and social events, making private life a public affair. Social obligations and the scrutiny of local newspapers kept many upper-class lives on constant display. For many men, gentlemen's clubs offered an escape from these pressures,' he explained. Jaco added that another factor was the way many men were raised in all-male environments such as schools and sports clubs, which made sharing personal space with women in adulthood unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. The club thus became a space for men to socialise freely, surrounded by peers. 'Men's clubs were also hubs of information and gossip. These spaces encouraged communication and the sharing of news, which served not only to build social bonds but to establish one's identity and reinforce class and gender roles. Gossip wasn't just idle chatter – it was a tool for social climbing and networking, a means of showing discretion and influence. The clubs had their own unspoken [and sometimes formal] rules to regulate how such information was shared, ensuring privacy and trust among members,' he continued. 'A typical gentlemen's club of the time would feature a formal dining room, a bar, a library, a billiards room, and various parlours for reading, gaming, or quiet conversation. Some clubs, such as the famed Rand Club, even included guest rooms and fitness facilities. Many hosted regular events like formal dinners or sporting activities,' Jaco further explained. The founding of The Krugersdorp Club Jaco explained that The Krugersdorp Club was founded in 1894 by two of the town's most prominent doctors at the time: Dr Wouter van der Merwe and Dr Percy Stewart. Van der Merwe lived on the corner of Ockerse Street (then the town's main thoroughfare) and Kruger Street. In his back garden, he planted a jacaranda tree, whose leafy shade became a favourite gathering spot for visitors, including none other than President Paul Kruger, a personal friend. That same tree still stands today behind the gates of the current club building. Legend has it that one day, late in 1894, the two doctors decided to create a space where the town's rising gentlemen could socialise and unwind – perhaps inspired by their daily ritual of enjoying sundowners after work,' he said. He noted that the current wood-and-iron building, dating from 1897, features many beautiful elements typical of late Victorian colonial architecture – pressed steel ceilings, wooden floors, fireplaces, and other original details. A secret role in the South African War Jaco said that during the Second South African War (1899–1902), the club became a favoured haunt of British officers stationed in the area. Despite the occupation, Van der Merwe maintained his daily visits to the club and became known to the soldiers. Unbeknownst to them, he gathered useful information, such as troop movements, and passed it along to local Boer contacts like 'Vaal Martiens' Pretorius, Gerrit van Blommenstein, and Mr Te Water. 'These men would then write coded messages, attach them to dogs' collars, and send the animals out of town, where Boer commandos would intercept them. It's a remarkable example of quiet resistance,' he stated. A social hub through the ages Jaco continued that following the war, The Krugersdorp Club flourished, and by 1910, it boasted over 400 members, with just as many names recorded in its visitor books. This figure far exceeded the likely size of the town's middle class, suggesting that many working-class individuals, particularly miners, were also regulars. 'For instance, miners Hallowes and Thomas are listed among club visitors. While the club's presidents and office bearers were typically middle-class professionals [notably local doctors such as Van der Merwe, Stewart, and Caldwell], many guests likely came from the respectable working class. Unfortunately, determining their occupations is difficult, as Krugersdorp's church registers did not record such details as were common in Johannesburg. These insights were pieced together through comparisons between The Krugersdorp Club Visitors' Book [1902–1912] and the Register of European Burials in Krugersdorp Cemetery [1904–1929],' he said. He continued that browsing through these books today, one can't help but feel a sense of awe at the well-known names and families who graced the club over the decades. On the sidewalk outside, one can still see the pole to tie your horse to before entering the club. Still standing strong 'Though changing lifestyles and modern habits have led to a decline in membership, The Krugersdorp Club still operates today. Visitors are welcome to enjoy its historic atmosphere, hearty pub-style meals, and cold refreshments – just as they have for the past 131 years,' Jaco concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- The Citizen
Old Apostolic Church under threat
A significant and cherished landmark in Krugersdorp West is under threat. • Also read: Echoes of Krugersdorp: The old magistrate's court Following recent discussions with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), it has come to light that plans are underway to demolish the unused Old Apostolic Church building located in Windram Street, Krugersdorp West. This was confirmed by the public notice of its demolition, as seen below: Co-founder of the KHA, Jaco Mattheyse, said that in light of this news, it is essential to share the historical background of this unique structure and the church that built it, to better understand its cultural and historical value to the community. 'The Old Apostolic Church has its roots in the Catholic Apostolic Church, which was formed in 1832 as a result of the Albury Movement. The church was established in South Africa by Carl George Klibbe, who was born on 24 December 1852 in Pomerania, near the Baltic Sea. Klibbe was a preacher in the Lutheran Church before encountering Apostolic teachings in Schladen, Germany, where he met Apostle Heinrich Niemeyer,' Jaco explained. He added it was only after emigrating to Hatton Vale, Queensland, Australia, in 1886 that Klibbe and his family fully embraced this doctrine. 'They were sealed into the Apostolic faith by Niemeyer himself. By the time of Klibbe's passing on 22 May 1931, the Old Apostolic Church had grown to over a million followers. Before his death, he appointed Apostles Ernest Fredrick Wilhelm Ninow, Carl Fredrick Wilhelm Ninow, and William Campbell as his successors, with EFW Ninow taking over as the chairperson and spiritual leader of the church.' Jaco confirmed with a long-time resident, who was born in Krugersdorp West in 1936, that the church building on Windram Street is among her earliest memories. The building is a fine example of modest ecclesiastical architecture from the early 20th century. 'It features a single large hall, a stage, and a small front porch, and boasts beautiful pressed steel ceilings and intricate woodwork – all of which add to its aesthetic and historical charm,' he explained. He added that in the 1950s, the congregation split into two after purchasing the old Dutch Reformed (Nederduitsch Hervormde) church located diagonally across the street. This was made possible after the Dutch Reformed community built a new church on Rustenburg Road, near what is now SalvageNet. Both buildings were used jointly until the early 2000s. He continued, later, the church bought two homes from a retired local policeman, and demolished them along with the old Dutch Reformed building to make way for a new, larger brick church that could accommodate the reunited congregation. 'After the merger, the original building at Windram Street was rented out to another church for a few years before standing vacant. In 2023, the Old Apostolic Church sold the property to a developer, who now intends to redevelop the site into student accommodation,' he revealed. Jaco explains that there are also legal and heritage-related concerns; buildings older than 60 years with historic or architectural significance fall under the protection of the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999. Section 34 says no one is allowed to alter or demolish a building [or part of it] that is over 60 years old unless they get a permit from the provincial heritage authority. 'If the permit is denied, the authority must, within three months, consider giving the site formal heritage protection.' The Krugersdorp West community, supported by concerned residents from surrounding areas, has since launched a petition to express their deep concern over the potential loss of this beloved building. If any resident wants to sign this petition, contact Jaco via email at or call 084 799 2438. 'Preserving the history of places like this building is not just about protecting bricks and mortar – it's about honouring the legacy, culture, and shared memories of a community,' Jaco concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-04-2025
- The Citizen
Echoes of Krugersdorp: The old magistrate's court
In the second edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, the Krugersdorp News, which partnered with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), will explore the history of the old Magistrate's Court. Co-founder of the KHA, Jaco Mattheyse, states that no other building in Krugersdorp is as closely related to the early history of our town as the one located on Commissioner Street in the CBD. This building houses the newly refurbished Mogale City Museum and is situated across the street from Town Hall, as discussed in the previous article. • Also read: Echoes of Krugersdorp: Town Hall and its rich history 'Krugersdorp was laid out in a manner typical of Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) in Transvaal towns throughout the old Boer Republic. The Transvaal government aligned itself more closely with continental Europe, where towns are arranged around a central square [as seen in Pretoria, where Church Square forms the center of the capital]. Krugersdorp's square was bordered by Kommisaris, Markt, President, and Kruger streets and primarily served as the main center of commerce,' he said. Read the full story in this week's edition of the News dated April 25. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
