Transvalia Hostel - Heidelberg (Gauteng)

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Built: 1913 : 1919

Architect: Wynand Louw (1883-1967)

Building contractor: Johannes Stephanus Joubert (1870-1949)

Status: Demolished



Transvalia was the first permanent hostel built for the Hoër Volkskool in Heidelberg and, remarkably, opened two years before the high school itself was formally established in January 1915. In February 1911 the church approached architect Mr Wynand Louw of Paarl to design the building; his plans were approved by May of that year. The hostel was officially opened on 13 February 1913. It was owned and administered by the Nederduitse Gereformeerde / Hervormde Kerkraad and leased to the Education Department, serving initially as accommodation for secondary pupils (with annexes later used for girls).

In January 1919 Transvalia was substantially enlarged: the building was doubled in size to provide space for 120 beds, and a new dining hall was added. With all improvements the total cost reached £23,000. The hostel continued in use for many decades until the church board decided in 1959 to sell the three ageing church hostels (Transvalia, Concordia and Excelsior) to the Province. The original Transvalia building was eventually demolished; its name was transferred to one of the new provincial hostels erected in 1965 on the former Concordia and Excelsior sites. The town library now occupies the historic ground where Transvalia once stood.

Locality map

Former position before demolition, now the public library.

Sources
  1. Lotz, P.W. (1952) Geskiedenis van die Ontwikkeling van die Onderwys aan Blankes in die Distrik Heidelberg, Transvaal van 1839 to 1950. (thesis)

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