3 days ago
Exploring Krugersdorp's historic post office
Before the internet, people relied on post offices, and in the fifth edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, the focus is on uncovering the stories and letters from Krugersdorp's historic post office, or the Central General Post Office as it was known when it was completed in 1938.
Recently, the Krugersdorp News partnered up with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA) to revisit some of the past events and remarkable buildings that hold deep historical significance in our town.
Co-founder of the KHA, Jaco Mattheyse, explains that the post office on the corner of Ockerse and Kruger Street is a more recent addition to the town, at least in comparison to the buildings previously featured in this series.
ALSO READ: Echoes of Krugersdorp: Town Hall and its rich history
'Originally, this site formed part of a block of stands reserved by the ZAR government for official use. An exception was made for the corner of Commissioner and Kruger Street, which was allocated to Abner Cohen for his Monument Hotel, later known as the Majestic Hotel. Before the construction of the post office, the precise site served as the Pass Office under the ZAR administration,' he explained.
Jaco continued to say to maximise the potential of the plot, the architects opted for an L-shaped layout, with the southern wing that housed public spaces and circulation offices, while the western wing contained staff facilities and, above, a switch-room.
He added that the main entrance, originally from the private box and posting lobby facing Kruger Street, is of generous proportions. Sadly, this entrance is no longer in use, and the once grand main façade is now neglected.
'The principal public hall reserved at the time for Europeans measured 20 by six metres and had a secondary entrance on Ockerse Street, which serves today as the building's main access point.'
He said that adjacent to it was a smaller, nearly square room of 5.5m x 6m, designated for non-Europeans. This section was accessed through an atrium off Ockerse Street.
'Today, the two spaces have been combined into a single large hall. Both public halls were acoustically treated and originally paved with wooden blocks.
'The Kruger Street wing included rooms for the Postmaster, accounts and general offices, male and female staff rooms, a records room, a cable vault and duct, and a staff entrance and stairwell leading from the postal yard,' he said.
ALSO READ: Watch: World's most powerful rocket makes history with epic catch
Jaco said the first floor was entirely dedicated to the engineering section, lit from the west by double bull's-eye windows and from the east by glass bricks.
Architecturally, the building is clad in face brick, with white-painted concrete cornices and fins at window-head height. On the Kruger Street elevation, fins at sill level help square the building against the steeply sloping street.
'The main entrance is framed by four semi-circular-ended brick pylons. The two central pylons are topped with bronze effigies of a winged springbok, symbolising the building's communication function.
This entrance is recessed slightly from the main wall and further distinguished by glass brick panes on the first floor and a variegated brick frieze.
'The frieze depicts an ox-wagon, representing the Great Trek and the discovery of the Reef, with mine dumps, headgear, and buildings of Krugersdorp's past and present in the background,' he revealed.
Jaco continued that the building has served the Krugersdorp community for almost 90 years.
'It made national headlines on a rainy day in January 1992, when Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging members Petrus Jacobus Judeel and Andries Stefanus Kriel bombed the post office, scattering glass and debris across Ockerse Street.
These two men were also involved in the bombings of Hillview High School in July 1991 and Cosatu House in Pretoria in December 1991.
ALSO READ: Krugersdorp Bowling Club makes history
They were granted amnesty on 12 June 1998 for these acts, including the theft of explosives from the Rustenburg Platinum Mine in 1991.
'This outstanding example of 1930s Art Deco architecture has withstood the trials and tribulations of nearly a century and remains a symbol of Krugersdorp's past, present and future,' he concluded.
TEASER: Step back in time with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association as they explore the nearly century-old post office building.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
