MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Simon van der Stel Foundation Southern Cape is a regional heritage organisation, registered with Heritage Western Cape. Its aim is to promote awareness of and appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the whole South African nation.
The foundation provides input on cultural-historical matters to Heritage Western Cape, providing an instrument and opportunity to members of the public to have a say in heritage matters. The foundation organises outings to places of cultural historical interest.
Information is provided and access is often arranged to sites not normally accessible to the public.
On 7 April the Foundation will be visiting Calitzdorp. The history of the town and some of its buildings will be shared and a visit will be paid to the museum, the former Standard Bank building. The building, in the Victorian style, is more than 100 years old.
After a walk-about and an overview of the town's history and other historical matters, lunch will be enjoyed at the Rose of the Karoo restaurant. Two certificates will be presented to members of the public who have contributed to the preservation of our heritage. All members of the public are invited to join in the outing.
All enquiries can be directed to smartievisa@gmail.com or 076 427 7416.
Historical buildings
Early in the 20th century, a submission was made to Standard Bank to propose that a branch of the bank be opened in Calitzdorp. The submission stated that in 1906 there was a resident magistrate, seven good shops, three butchers, two bakers, four carriage builders and blacksmiths, two doctors, three attorneys, one law agent and one hotel in the town.
The branch of the bank was opened on 27 August 1910 in two “small but suitable” rooms in the house of JF Routzen in Queen Street, which was the main street of the town. Rental was two pounds and 10 shillings per month.
In 1911 the Dutch Reformed Church offered to erect premises for the bank and the bank agreed to lease the new premises for a period of five years at a rental of 13 Pounds 10 Shillings per month.
These premises were erected on Lot A, Church Square. It was a corner stand, as Standard Bank preferred, and was considered one of the best in Calitzdorp. The premises included the bank building, offices, strong room and a residence for the bank manager. The bank moved into the building in 1912 and the lease was renewed in 1917.
By 1924 the branch was not profitable anymore and it was decided to close it down. The church agreed to lower the rent from 162 to 120 Pounds per annum, and the branch remained open. The coming of the railway line to Calitzdorp was a contributing factor.
Simon van der Stel
According to the current terminology used in South Africa, Simon van der Stel, the governor of the Cape from 1691 to 1699, was the first black Commander of the Cape. Simon’s mother was the daughter of a freed slave, named Monica da Costa. He was born while his parents were on a ship on the way to Mauritius.
While commander at the Cape, he showed vision and tolerance. During a time of religious intolerance, he was seen as sympathetic to the Muslim community of the Cape.
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