Normal College - Heidelberg (Gauteng)

Aka: Heidelberg Teachers’ Training College, Heidelberg Onderwyskollege

Architect: Joseph Lockwood Hall

Established: 1909

Aerial photo from east, n.d.

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Locality map

 

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Timeline

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History

The chairperson of the Heidelberg Parent’s Association, Mr T.A. Dönges had discussions with Genl. JC Smuts, who  undertook to regard Heidelberg as the preferred candidate when the new Normal College would be built. It was officially opened on 12 March 1909 with an initial intake of 67 students. It formed part of the post-Anglo-Boer War Christian-National Education (C.N.O.) movement. The college was established to train Afrikaans-speaking teachers for C.N.O. schools across the Transvaal. Its motto was “Pro Deo et Patria” (For God and Country), and its anthem was based on the old Transvaal Republican anthem. The college quickly became a key supplier of quality Afrikaans teachers for Christian-National schools.

"Vir proefonderwys het die studente elke kwartaal twee weke lank na een van die twee dorpskole, die Volkskool en die Publieke Skool, gegaan. Die Direkteur verwys in sy rapport na die herhaalde versoeke van mnr. Dönges on n tipiese plaasskooltjie in Rensburgdorp, net buitekant Heidelberg, op te rig. Sy doel hiermee was om aan die studente die geleentheid te bied om ondervinding op to doen in die tipe skool waarin die meeste van hulle later sou moes gaan werk."⁴

The Depression had a major negative impact on the College. In 1933 only 40 students were allowed to enrol. The students first had to complete one year at Pretoria or Potchefstroom, before being allowed to complete their two year course in Heidelberg.

In 1939 two additonal buildings were added: an art room, and a gymnastics hall.

By 1967 it had more than 1,000 students and 70 lecturers. It was closed that same year for political and administrative reasons, and incorporated into the Goudstad Teachers’ College (as a counterpart to Wits University in Johannesburg). The departure of so many students had a negative effect on Heidelberg's economy.³

The physical site in Heidelberg was later taken over by the South African National Defence Force and became the Leërgimnasiumbasis (Army Gymnasium base).

Hostels

The Normal College (Onderwyskollege) did not have its own fully independent, purpose-built koshuise from the start. It shared facilities and management with the Volkskool system.

"As regards hostels, Heidelberg is worst off. For the last nine years the students have occupied quarters, originally regarded as temporary and inadequate. The men's quarters are particularly bad, alike from the point of view of situation, accommodation, and arrangement."⁶

In 1922, Dönges-huis, specifically for the Normaalkollege was completed as part of the larger Hoër Volkskool building project.

The ladies’ hostel, housed in an old rented house , was nicknamed “Paradise Lost”. The men's hostel, also a rented house, was nicknamed “Maidens’ Hope”. Another temporary hostel was George Bell, a private house. Toekoms Hotel also served as a hostel - in 1945 it was purchased by the church, renamed Protea, and was used as a Laer Volkskool hostel. The early hostels had no electricity. The only water tap was at the church; students and staff had to fetch water from a fountain at the nearby spruit when needed.

In February 1930 the first permanent ladies’ hostel, Suiderkruis, was taken into use. The hostel was too small to accommodate all the ladies, and a group of them still had to remain in the old rented buildings (Paradise Lost and others).⁴

Dönges-huis hostel from west (photo 1935)

In 1939 Ons Toekoms and Dönges-huis hostels were renovated, and a new ladies hostel, Carl Winter-huis, was built (opened 1940).⁴

Muller-huis ladies hostel was built in 1945 and opened in 1946.

By 1950 there was an average of 484 boarders across all hostels. The demand was so high that some pupils still had to board with private families.

Two modern hostels, Uitsig and De Jagerhuis were opened by the then premier and MP for Heidelberg on 24 September 1964. Uitsig is still the highest building in Heidelberg and stands out as a beacon. The building had the first lift in Heidelberg.¹

College crest

• A mielie plant (maize/corn stalk): chosen because maize was the staple food that kept the volk alive during and after the Anglo-Boer War. It symbolised growth and hope for the future. In 1952 it was changed to a suikerbos (sugarbush protea) at the top, a symbol of the Suikerbosrand region.
• A Bible: symbol of the Godsgedagte (Christian faith / thought of God).
• An ossewa (ox-wagon): symbol of the vaderlandsgedagte (Voortrekker / fatherland heritage).

"Die skild is 'n Switserse tipe, en is kepersgewys verdeel in groen en silwer: In die Middelste verdeling, in silwer, 'n groeiende, vrugdraende mielieplant van natuurlike kleur. In die verdeling regs (dexter), in groen, 'n oopgeslaande boek (Bybel) van silwer en in die verdeling links (sinister) in groen, 'n Voortrekker-ossewa van silwer. As helmteken, van bokant 'n lint met silwerrand, 'n Protea-blomkop (Suikerbos) van groen en silwer, met twee blare van groen. Skildhouers: Aan elke kant van die skild, 'n aansiende Blesbok (Damaliscus albifrons). Wapenspreuk: Op 'n lint, met silwerband, in blou letters: PRO DEO ET PATRIA."

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Sources

1. Heidelberg Heritage Museum
2. Die Erfenisstigting on FB
3. The Citizen: Oud-studente hou reünie. February 25, 2022. Van Staden, N.
4. Lotz, P.W. (1952) Geskiedenis van die Ontwikkeling van die Onderwys aan Blankes in die Distrik Heidelberg, Transvaal van 1839 to 1950. (thesis)
5. Heidelbergse Onderwyskollege
6. The Transvaal Education Department: Report for the year ended 1917.