Established in 1959 and is the largest and oldest non-governmental (NGO) organisation involved in heritage conservation.
As one of the oldest established towns in South Africa, it important to look not just at the history of Swellendam itself, but how it came to be. *As published in Treasures of Swellendam, 2018 Version.
We aim to encourage the public to preserve our cultural and natural heritage; to stimulate pride and personal interest in conservation by encouraging group projects and voluntary efforts to conserve and improve the environment; to set the work of the SHA on a sound economic basis by raising funds and using such funds for conservation projects and the stimulation of others to conserve and preserve our cultural and natural heritage; to co-operate with all relevant authorities and organisations in pursuit of the aims and objectives of the SHA.
Join NowSHA AGM - docs and agenda available on request
30 members gathered at the Drostdy car park to begin a tour of the origins and purpose of the irrigation system when the Drostdy was built in 1746/7
Dr Dan Sleigh is a long time friend of Swellendam and will talk about local history
The new conservation management plan for the Drostdy museum complex
Schooled at Grey College in Bloemfontein.
Studied agriculture post matric at Grootfontein Agricultural College.
Has lived and worked in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, De Aar, East London, Durban. Retired to Pumula on the South Coast of Natal in 2004.
Semigrated from KwaZulu-Natal to the Western Cape to Swellendam in 2013.
Member of the service organisation Lions International’s club in Swellendam
Member of the Swellendam Heritage Association. 2014.
Chairman of the association 2016 to present.
Hobbies are DIY and Reading South African history.
Born 1952 in York , UK.
Education
Sudbury Boys Grammar School.
UMIST (Manchester) 1974 BSc (Hons) Chemistry
Business Management programmes at UCT (Cape Town),
Harvard & Kellogg’s Business Schools in the USA.
Work Experience
1974-77 Research Chemist at Courtaulds, Coventry,UK
1977-90 Saiccor (KZN) Later Sappi Saiccor. Various roles ,
1990-94 Mill GM of the Sappi Usutu pulp mill in Swaziland
1994-2012 Sappi Saiccor as head of the Technical Dept
2012-13 Consultant for Sappi Saiccor
Fully retired end of 2013 moved to Swellendam, 2020.
Born in 1948, and have been retired for the past 6 years, and settled in Swellendam 2 years ago from Napier.
Has an active interest in Heritage and History and joined the Swellendam Heritage Association during April 2018 and currently assist on the committee.
Has an Engineering and Project Management background in the Telecommunications industry and have worked for companies such as Denel, Vodacom and Alcatel through the years.
Spent substantial time in France, Germany and Israel studying and have obtained a business degree from the University of Tel Aviv.
Born 1946, North London.School – Sacred Heart convent, Whetstone.
Southampton University: Art. Literature & Education
Variously taught in schools, environmental centres, museums & brought up our children in:
Kitwe- Zambia, Bedford- UK, Cornwall-UK, Johannesburg-SA & Chicago-USA.
Moved to Swellendam in 1998.
Part of the team who created & administered ‘Swellendam Alive’ 2000-2004
Council member & Trustee of Heritage Association of South Africa (formally Simon van der Stel Foundation). 2009 -
Swellendam Trust / Swellendam Heritage Association 2000 –
Secretary, editor – newsletter, chairman & vice-chairman.
Born 1947.Matriculated ; Paul Ross Gymnasium (1965) Army Gymnasium (1966)
UP: BSc Agriculture, MSc Agriculture.
Farmed: Kliphoogte & Voorhuis 1974-2015.
Boards of Directors: Soill – 1996-2011
SSK- 1984-2012
Committees:
Retired : researching history of Swellendam over a broad spectrum.
Born 1951.Schooled at Port Natal High school, Durban 1970. Military training & border duty 1971.
PTA Tech – H Dip Horticulture & Landscape planning 1987 Continued to work at Tech 1990
Relocated to Cape Town –
Worked at:
Retired: 2016 committee Swellendam Heritage Association & Aesthetics SDM.
•Born of 1820 settler ancestry
•Schooled in Rhodesia
•1971 Graduated BSc UED
KZN University
•1971-1977 Taught Epworth High School
• 1980 Created Co-ordinated Interiors Hillcrest/ Kloof
•2017 Moved to Swellendam
• Community involvement:
Swellendam Winter School
Friends of the Drostdy Museum.
Swellendam Garden Club.
Born 1993, Swellendam, Swellendam High.
Lived in Johannesburg for 3 years after school and then moved abroad for work. Travelled and worked in multiple countries and has recently moved back to South Africa.
Interest in History stems from a familial connection to the history of Swellendam and joined the committee to strengthen that connection.
Enjoy a telling of the history of Rotterdam; one of the most spectacular Cape Dutch homesteads.
Check it out