A brief history of Walkerville
1838
As far as can be ascertained the first white to settle in the Walkerville area was an unknown Voortrekker in about 1838. The remains of a hut built with the front axle of his wagon is near Dairy Cottage on Woodacres Dairy Farm. This Voortrekker sold the Hartzenbergfontein property to Hendrik Balthazar Greyling in about 1859 and the whole property, in extent over 3,422morgen was transferred to Greyling on the 11th December 1861.
1879
This deed of transfer has been lost but is referred to in numerous other deeds. Hendrik Greyling died in 1879 and his wife Anna Margaretha nee Scheepers split the farm into undivided portions amongst the nine children and herself. The details may be found in Title Deeds 1879/679 to 687. The children and their husbands actually purchased the undivided tenth shares for 15 pounds a share. Each share was equivalent to over 342 morgen. Each tenth share forms the basis of the present subdivision of Hartzenbergfontein, Walkerville and its surrounds being on two tenths of the original area. A further two sections are still owned by the descendants of the family, namely the two large Kamffer farms. Judging by the complex water rights relating to the streams round the area where Aloe Ridge School is presently situated (as well as the Walkerville Show-grounds), I would think that the original Greyling homestead (or the remains thereof) are to found somewhere in that area.
1898
Whilst farming at Faraosfontein during 1898 he participated in a number of skirmishes with the blacks, the Bavendas. When the Anglo-Boer war broke out in 1898 he led the Heidelberg Commando on the Natal border. Apparently he was somewhat of a hothead and it was therefore no surprise that he clashed with some of the other officers. It was touch and go or he would have been discharged. During December he was temporarily suspended as he was held responsible for letting the British capture a Boer canon setup on the 8th December. However, it was never proved that it was because of his negligence that this happened.
In March 1900 he was again the Commandant in charge of the Heidelbergers when this Commando fought valiantly to defend their positions at the battle of Abrahamskraal. They managed to such an extent against the multitude of British soldiers, that they could retreat in an orderly fashion. By doing this the British were prevented from achieving a great victory.
The Boer forces at Abrahamskraal were under the command of Generals De Wet and De la Rey. They were about 3,000 men strong. The British troops, however, totalled approximately 30,000 under direct command of Lord Roberts himself. High numbers of losses were incurred on both sides. 30 men died on Boer side, 47 were wounded and 20 were taken prisoner. It was told that the British suffered the loss of 60 dead and 360 wounded.
After the Heidelbergers’ retreat during the night they were ordered to join forces with the Boer forces at Bainsvlei near Bloemfontein on Sunday, 11 March 1900. During that afternoon they were at their posts just to be informed that after an hours rest, they must again be on the move. This time they had to move to south of Bloemfontein. That night they could have a decent nights rest after being on the road for two very cumbersome days.
It’s not for us to say whether Commandant Weilbach was a good leader or not. What is of importance is the fact that Commandant Weilbach was the Commandant of the Heidelberg Commando and that he was one of us, from our area. His descendants still farm at Faraosfontein. Eugene Weilbach was the Commandant of the local Commando, the Meyerton Commando. He was a good leader and accompanied this Commando several times when they went to fight on the border. What a waste of manpower because of the futility of this war. In any case, we can lift our hats high to the Weilbach’s of Faraosfontein!
So was the Weilbach farm the start of De Deur? According to old records it would appear so. The area got its name early in 1800. The name De Deur means “through,” because the Voortrekkers chased wild animals through the kloof between two kopjes. This made hunting very easy. The area was part of the Heidelberg District. A Mr. L. J. Botha “discovered” the farm in 1860 as government ground. He wrote to the government requesting that the farm be registered on his name. Only on 17 September 1882 did Mr. Botha receive the letter stating that the farm was his property. Mr. Botha sold the farm “De Deur” after only one year to Johan Daniël Weilbach and Johan Carel Preller. Mr. Preller sold his half of the farm to Mr. Weilbach on the same day. Mr. J. D. Weilbach remained the owner of the farm until 1904. On 1 February 1904 the farm was sold to “The De Deur Estate Ltd.” The company was eager to sell the farm to the Government and on 11 February 1904 the farm was put up for sale. The Government was interested in obtaining land close to Johannesburg. The farm “De Deur” was divided into a number of small farms and was auctioned on 25 February 1904.
Development proper started in HAO in 1928, although some of the older homes date from the turn of the last century. Mrs Elizabeth Cronje has been living in the same house in 9th Avenue, Apple Orchards since 1945. She and her husband, who had returned from fighting in Egypt, enlisted the help of Italian prisoner’s of war to enlarge the small house they had bought. These were paid 1 Shilling a day by the family and the same amount by the government. They were repatriated in 1946. At that time there was no electricity nor municipal water.
1918
The farm Faroasfontein plays a central role in the development of the area. It covered the boundaries we know today as The Common, the Weilbach’s farm (the dairy), Homestead Apple Orchards, Golf View and Ohenimuri golf course. It was originally owned by a Mr Botha. For many years it was divided by the main Cape Town – Johannesburg road, which today is the Old Vereeniging Road. The main house was used as one of the overnight stops for coaches travelling to Johannesburg. Mr Botha sold the farm to Johan Daniel Weilbach (descendants of which now own the dairy), who sold the farm to a Mr James Butler. In turn, this was then sold to Mr Arthur Walker in 1918 from whom the area got its name. As mentioned previously, Mr Walker, after his apple growing venture was disbanded, had the idea of dividing the farm into parcels of land and selling them as Homestead Apple Orchards. As an added incentive, any would-be purchaser would be able to graze his or her livestock on the common.
Commandant Johan Daniel Weilbach.
1934
The Ohenimuri golf course, named after an Australian apple, was once the thriving social centre for the area. Some very important names from South Africa’s political past were lifelong members. Built in 1934, the course has seen many an expert golfer grace its greens. Although the original designer remains unknown, the great Bobby Locke restructured the course at a later stage. John Bland who was born close by, would often skip school to perfect his swing there. Mr Bland Snr was manager of the tennis club. It is said that the Walker family donated the land for the course on the condition that it remained a golf club. Mr. Arthur Walker II was a regular who played a pretty fair game. A bit of an understatement really, as he has been both a South African and English Amateur champion. The old barn on the MacDougall’s farm, situated in Varkensfontein, has only ever been used to store hay and teff. The property belonged to the Walker Family until Arthur Walker 2nd death in 2005. The MacDougall’s had been renting for nearly 30 years and decided it was time to buy. The shed still stands but is hardly used nowadays, except for the flock of peacocks that have made it their roost. The main farmhouse, still in almost original condition was built in 1896. The high ceilings, sash windows and stained glass bear testimony to a grand old era. The verandah was modified some years ago when the house underwent repairs, but its charm remains in tact.
1948
Around 1948 a bus service was introduced to take children living in H A O to school in De Deur. By the early 1950’s, Walkerville’s bus service had become a partisan affair, with people taking sides and becoming quite uppity in defense of their preference. The old Vaal Bus Company still operated its Guys, Albion & Bristols but the South African Railways had become serious about taking over the route and they had brought in the Canadian built BRIL streamliners. What buses they were! They easily hit 80 miles per hour on the long downhill run to Eikenhof. Those Brils dominated the scene for more than twenty years and must surely rank as the best buses ever built. To people in Walkerville, the choice was an open one for years. The Vaal Bus was a good deal less expensive than the Railway Bus and apart from vibrations and low speeds, they were good transport.
Present
Situated in Walkers Fruit Farms is where craftsmen ply their trade from another era, building coaches and carts. These were made completely by hand including the wheels – using skills passed down over three generations. The organically run farm is a delight and indicates how a
farm operated many years ago in the Walkerville area. These delightful buildings in Walkers Fruit Farms are situated on Colin Tegner’s property. Colin has been a resident in Walkers Fruit Farms since the 1960’s. A coach builder with an established reputation – he supplied all the coaches at Gold Reef City, and was recently commissioned by the King of Lesotho to build a Landau State Coach for delivery in September 2008. Colin’s property in Walkers Fruit Farms is a mini version of Gold Reef City with an assortment of cottages, workshops and an impressive showroom that houses several buggies, wagons and an Omnibus that is being registered for a resident in Henley. All items on display have either been built, or restored in Colin’s workshops. The communities of Walkerville, Walkerville Manor, Walkers Fruit Farms, Homestead Apple Orchards, Golfview, Blignautsrus, Hartzenbergfontein, Drumblade, Blue Saddle Ranches and Savanah City. With De Deur to the South and Eikenhof to the north comprise the greater Walkerville Area. Situated in Gauteng, the smallest most densely populated province in South Africa.
Walkerville is approximately 35kms south of Johannesburg and can be reached by both the new R82 highway (via Southgate, Mondeor, Kibler Park and Eikenhof) or from the R59, taking the Walkerville turnoff just after passing Kliprivier. Walkerville offers the peace and tranquility of rural living yet is a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the major conurbation that is Johannesburg.
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