April 9, 2024
SHA have undertaken to remove the little fire engine from in front of the old library to the Drostby Museum, the engine and its casing will be restored, this is a costly process and the association is looking for donations to help with this process. The fire Engine will stand on paving with a wall behind acknowledging the donors
More projects
On Monday 3 September 2018 the Swellendam Heritage Association had two heritage information boards erected in the town.
One of these information boards is erected on the site of old lemmetjiesdorp (Lemmetjies Town) which area is still referred to by this name. The inscription on the information board which is self explanatory reads as follows:
The area known as Lemmetjiesdorp was sold to one Dawid Lemmetjies in 1849. Upon Dawid Lemmetjies’ death in 1863 the plot of land passed on to his son, Arend Lemmetjies. Thirteen brown families lived on this land alongside the Glen stream. In the 1970’s the Group Areas Act forced the Lemmetjies family descendents off their land.
This panel has been erected by The Swellendam Heritage Association as a dedication to the Lemmetjies family.
Die gebied bekend as Lemmetjiesdorp is in 1849 aan ene Dawid Lemmetjies verkoop. Met Dawid Lemmetjies se dood in 1863 is die stuk grond aan sy seun, Arend Lemmetjies, oorgedra. Dertien bruin gesinne het op die grond langs die Glenstroom gewoon. In die 1970’s het die Groepsgebiedewet die nageslag van die Lemmetjies-familie van hulle grond gedwing.
Hierdie paneel is opgerig deur die Swellendam Erfenisvereniging as erkenning aan die Lemmetjies-familie.
Lemmetjiesdorp Sign Erected 03. 09. 2018
The second information board was erected at the old Anglican Cemetery and is again dedicated to members of the Lemmetjies family who were the stone masons who built the lovely old stone wall around the cemetery. Again the inscription is self explanatory and reads as follows:
THE ANGLICAN CEMETERY STONE WALL
This beautiful wall of dressed stone bonded with clay was built by one Arend Lemmetjies circa 1855 when the Anglican Church was built in Swellendam. Arend Lemmetjies was a sought after stone-mason in Swellendam in the 1800’s along with his builder father Dawid Lemmetjies.
This panel has been erected by The Swellendam Heritage Association as a dedication to the Lemmetjies family.
DIE ANGLIKAANSE BEGRAAFPLAAS-RINGMUUR
Die Anglikaanse Kerk is in 1855 in Swellendam gebou. Die Anglikaanse begraafplaas is ongeveer dieselfde tyd geopen. Die pragtige klipmuur, wat met klei gebind is, is deur ene Arend Lemmetjies gebou. Hy en sy vader, Dawid Lemmetjies, was in daardie tyd gesogte klipkappers en bouers in Swellendam.
Hierdie paneel is opgerig deur die Swellendam Erfenisvereniging as erkenning aan die Lemmetjies-familie.
The Swellendam Heritage Association has commenced on a project to have Swellendam family crests displayed on metal hoardings attached to the lampposts along the West end of Voortrek Street. The Swellendam Municipality has approved a pilot project in this respect. The pilot project saw the erection of four hoardings displaying eight family crests (two crests, one on each side of a hoarding). The purpose of the pilot project is to gauge public opinion with regard to heritage, inclusivity and aesthetic value before commencing with the full project. Examples of these family crests in the pilot project can now be viewed on the lampposts opposite Moolmanshof.
The Heritage Association wants this to be a Swellendam community project. All families, whether with historic ties, who currently reside in or are involved in Swellendam are asked to be part of this project.
Our picturesque town is unique in terms of situation, landscape and natural scenery. Her history is illustrious and diverse, created and formed through contributions of all ethnic, social and administrative role-players. So special is she that Dr. Joan Prins, a Swellendammer of old, once referred to her as ” The Swellendam Mixed Grill”. The Heritage Association, through this project, aims to give recognition to those past or present within the greater Swellendam community.
The pilot project will continue for the balance of this year and next year, if all goes according to plan, a huge effort will go into filling the western end of the main street with family crests.
The Heritage Association would also like to record its thanks to the Municipality for approval of the pilot phase of the project, support and the erection of the hoardings. The association’s thanks also goes to the participants in the project and Alex Hayn of Atelier Studio for design assistance. Francois and Shaun from Lotz signs for the manufacture of the Crest Boards. Johan van Schalkwyk for the manufacture of the frames and assisting Francois du Rand and Frik Erasmus and their team from the municipality for the mounting of the Crests. Without their participation SHA could not have commenced the project. We are convinced that this project will make a unique contribution to the distinction of our town..
All families who would like to participate or would like to give recognition to an old Swellendam family, can submit the names and their contribution to the association. Families who do not possess an existing family crest will be assisted to create a crest using the background of their family’s history. It would also be appreciated if contributors would sponsor families who may need assistance financially as a way of possibly repaying such a family or any other personal reason.
We are geared to launch the main project in January 2020 so get ready to order your families crest in the meantime. We will advise costs in due course.
Philip Bromley
Contact / Kontak:
Bank besonderhede / details:
Nedbank (Swellendam) Branch / Tak 19876500 Swellendam Heritage Association / Swellendam Erfenisvereniging Rekening Nr / Account Nbr 1118273125
Please enter your surname as reference. Meld asseblief u van as verwysing.
Familiewapenvlae Gedruk op *Ultrasheen:
Begenoemde pryse insluitende kunswerk.
Nabootsing van ‘n Familewapen op ‘n vlag:
Geldigheid: 7 dae vanaf kwotasie.
Aflewerings tydperk: 7 tot 10 werksdae vir ontwerp / vervaardiging vanaf datum van betaling.
Alle volgens maat vlae word digitaal gedruk en vervaardig met 100% Utrasheen om maksimum ink indringing te bewerkstellig (90% – beeld op die agterkant van die vlag)
Vlae is met dubbele stikwerk afgewerk met kopstuk, tou en dwarsstuk gereed om te hys tensy anders gespesifiseerd.
*Ultrasheen (Volgens maat vlae): Is ‘n selfsluitend 3 gare skering en inslag vlagstof vervaardig van polyester garing met ‘n effense glans. Dit is lig en duursaam. As gevolg van die stof se samestelling en spoed van produksie, is dit baie ekonomies om te produseer wat die koste aansienlik afbring van volgens maat vlae. Dit word gebruik vir die vervaardiging van volgens maat en korporatiewe vlae.
Family Coat of Arms Flags: Printed on *Ultrasheen
Above pricing includes Artwork
Simulation of a Coat of Arms on a flag:
Validity: This quote is valid for 7 days.
Lead time: 7 to 10 working days to design/manufacture from date of payment.
All custom flags are digitally printed and manufactured using 100% Ultrasheen for maximum ink penetration (90% – reverse image on the other side of the flag).
All our flags are double stitched with Header, Rope and Toggle ready for hoisting unless otherwise specified.
*Ultrasheen (Custom Flags): Is a self-locking, 3-yarn warp-knit, flag material made from 100% polyester filament yarn with a slight sheen finish. It is lightweight and durable. Due to its construction and speed of production, it is most economical to produce and brings down the cost of custom flags considerably. Used to produce custom and corporate flags.
On 19th March 2018 the church council of the DR Church. Swellendam decided to ask the Swellendam Heritage Association to make a survey of the remaining graves on the church property because, at the time, there was no complete catalogue of the details of the graves. That made it difficult for researchers and family members to get information they required. It will also make history more accessible to visitors and will make it easier to find a specific grave. This survey subject to specific conditions contains the following:
The execution of these decisions was a special journey of discovery into the history of Swellendam, with this publication the church council, together with the Heritage association, hope to contribute to the writing of the history of Swellendam and hope that it will also be a valuable source of information to researchers and visitors to Swellendam.
The Church council hereby thanks the Swellendam Heritage committee for their great assistance and knowledgeable advice in the successful documenting and repair of the graveyard.
Hennie Steyn
SHA Committee
June 2018