Laer Volkskool - Heidelberg (Gauteng)

Built: 1906

Architect: Unidentified

Building contractor: Mr Johannes Stephanus Joubert (1870-1949)

Status: Extant

Entrance detail (Source: Laer Volkskool on FB)

(Source: Laer Volkskool on FB)

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Timeline

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After the 2nd Boer War there were two schools in Heidelberg: the Public School, and a free school for underpriviledged kids, where kids were taught in English. Ds. J.A. Louw found this unacceptable and founded the Volkskool in 1903.

"Gedurende die Anglo-Boereoorlog het die Britse regering in die konsentrasiekampe met die eerste onderwysprogram begin. Vir hierdie doel het die Britse Hoekommissaris, Lord Milner, vir Sargent, 'n hooggeplaasde amptenaar in die Britse Staatsdienskommissie, as direkteur van onderwys vir die Oranjerivierkolonie aangestel. Dit was egter van die begin af duidelik wat die Afrikaanssprekende kinders te wagte kon wees, want op 14 Junie 1901 skryf Sargent aan Milner dat die grootste deel van die Afrikanerkinderbevolking in die konsentrasiekampe byeengebring is en dat dit 'n guide geleentheid bied om hulle binne die volgende jaar almal Engelssprekend te maak."⁶

As a private C.N.O., the original Volkskool specifically catered for war orphans and children affected by the Anglo-Boer War. It was not a continuation of the earlier government schools - it was a fresh church-driven initiative. Initiated by Ds. A.J. Louw after his return from exile. The church provided the basement hall of the Nederduits Hervormde or Gereformeerde Kerk (Klipkerk) as the first classrooms.

"... een brief de Commissie der Volkschool bedankende voor het gebruik van de kerk als school van 1 Augustus 1903 tot 1 Januarie 1907 en voor de kwytschelding van de huur over de maanden Juli tot December 1906."⁷

The cellar eventually became too small. The Bezuidenhout family donated land (from De Rust farm) to the church for a permanent building.

• C.N.O. = Christelike Nasionale Onderwys. It was an educational philosophy and system in South Africa grounded in the religious and cultural beliefs of the Afrikaner people. It emphasized Mother-tongue Instruction, and advocated for separate schools for different religious and racial groups.

"Met groot geesdrif is onder leiding van ds. A.J. Louw besluit om ’n onafhanklike CNO-skool op Heidelberg te stig, met die 28 weeskinders as kern. In die begin was die hoofklaskamer van hierdie skool die kelder onder die kerk, in daardie dae bekend as die grot van Adullam. Hieruit het die opvoedingsinrigtings van Heidelberg gegroei: die Volkskool, die Hoër-Volkskool en die Onderwyskollege. Rondom hierdie skole het die kosinrigtings van Heidelberg verrys: Transvalia, Concordia, Excelsior en vier kleiner koshuise in aangekoopte geboue, waarin byna 500 leerlinge ’n Christelike tuiste gevind het. Hierdie geboue het die kerkraad ongeveer £70 000 gekos."⁹

On 27 October 1906 the cornerstone of the Laer Volkskool was laid by Schalk Burger (former Vice-President of the ZAR), and the school was inaugurated in January 1907. The first headmaster was Mr. T.A. Dönges. The school grew rapidly because of strong community and church support. By 1905-1907 it had around 140-150 pupils and several assistant teachers. It operated with a strong Christian-national character and Afrikaans-medium instruction.¹ ²

In January 1915 the middle/secondary section of the Volkskool was split off to form the Hoër Volkskool. The remaining primary section became the Laer Volkskool.

The entrance hall is known as "Die Monumentsaal" - a tribute to soldiers who died during the 2nd Boer War.

Cornerstone laid in 1906 (Source: Laer Volkskool)

Aerial photo. (Source: Laer Volkskool)

Aerial photo. Source: Laer Volkskool. Photographer: Willem Sprong.

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Hostels

The first hostel (rented) opened in 1910 - funded by a £6,000 loan from F.J. Bezuidenhout.²

"Ons Toekoms": An old hotel building purchased by the church in 1945 and converted into a hostel. It previously served a a hostel for the Normal College.²

George Bell: A large dwelling converted as a hostel, formerly a Normaal College hostel.

Paradys: formerly a Normaal College hostel.

In addition, various private dwellings were rented to accommodate boarders. For example: Goede Hoop / Goedehoop was rented from Mr Marais, three houses from Mr C. Brink, etc.² Goedehoop received a Blue Plaque stating: "The houses on 73 and 75 Fenter Street became the “Goede-hoop-koshuis” of the “Volkskool”. This was to supplement the orphanage and private home boarding. By the end of 1911 there were 32 pupils accommodated here, 16 girls in the old orphanage and 38 pupils in private lodgings. Mr Cronjé was the first house father, who eventually became the principal of “Volkskool”. There was still a shortage of accommodation and the Excelsior Hostel was established in the 4 houses on the corner of Church (HF Verwoerd) and West Streets, by Mr D.J.M. Jordaan."

Goedehoop hostel, 73 Fenter St (Google Street View, 2022)

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Locality map

 

 

Google Street View (2017) 

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Sources

1. Heidelberg Heritage Museum
2. Lotz, P.W. (1952) Geskiedenis van die Ontwikkeling van die Onderwys aan Blankes in die Distrik Heidelberg, Transvaal van 1839 to 1950. (thesis)
3. NG Gemeente Heidelberg, Gauteng
4. Laer Volkskool
5. Goodehoop Koshuis
6. Gericke, J.D. (1989) Ds. Jacobus van Belkum (Oom Sarel) in die kultuurgeskiedenis van die Afrikaner. S.-Afr. Tydskr.Kult.-Kunsgesk. 1989.
7. Pretorius, C. (2002) Ds. Jac van Belkum (1851-1933): Nestor van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika.