Your guide to Heidelberg Gauteng
#Goedehoop Koshuis
Heritage Blue Plaque #Nr 17
GOEDEHOOP KOSHUIS - 73 and 75 Fenter Street
What is the story here?
The history of the hostels of the United Congregation of Heidelberg started when there were 26 war orphans that were housed in the Sunday house of Mr. Cornelis Meyer. Mrs. Ockert Spruyt, a war widow, was the first house mother. (This house was on the North West corner of Begeman and Ueckermann Streets) The orphanage was converted into a hostel for girls until the Transvalia Hostel was completed. The idea of church hostels was the brainchild of Ds. Louw when the Volskool was founded.
Transvalia was to be built on the “Dirkie Uys” square
(Where the Municipal Library is today. The Hostel was built, but later demolished)
With the delay of building the hostel it was decided to hire the houses on 73 and 75 Fenter Street, as the Goede-Hoop-Koshuis. Mr Cronjé, who later became the Principal of Volkskool, was the first house father. By the end of 1911 there were 32 pupils in Goedehoop, 16 girls in the old orphanage and 38 pupils in private lodgings. When there was still a shortage of accommodation, Mr. D.J.M. Jordaan, a teacher, made further plans by obtaining the 4 houses on the Vereeniging Road as the Excelsior Hostel.
THE TRANSVALIA HOSTEL
The church council decided to build a hostel and lease it the education department. In February 1911, is Mr. Wynand Louw, an architect from Paarl was approached to draw up the plans and Mr. J.S. Joubert was obtained for the building work. In August the plans were approved and in April 1912 the church board reported that the building of the hostel was progressing well. On the 13th of February 1913 the hostel was inaugurated. The pupils from Goede-hoop hostel were moved to the new hostel.
MRS. SALOME GERBER
Out of all the talented people that served in Transvalia, Mrs. Salome Gerber (13 October 1888 – 21 December 1961), no doubt made the most impression on the girls that were placed in her care. With her death in December 1961, Mr. J.P. Malan who worked closely with her stated, “Mev. Salome Gerber 27 jaar (1925-1952), hoof van Transvalia-koshuis vir dogters het spore getrap, wat moontlik op Heidelberg uitgewis mag word, maar nooit uit die harte en lewens van haar dogters nie. Sy was ‘n dogter van ‘n welgestelde, godvrugtige en geëerde familie Uys of Heidelberg, Kaap”. She is buried in Heidelberg in the Cape.
Source: “Aan God Alleen Die Eer” by Dr. A.E. Faul Bosman and “Pro Deo Et Patria” by Dr. A.E. Faul Bosman.
(COMMENT BY TONY BURISCH)
The houses have been modified quite extensively. The 2 houses have been converted into 4 semi-detached houses. The Oregon pine strip ceilings have been boarded over. The original window frames and doors have been replaced. Each unit has 2 outside toilets making a total of 8 toilets. The occupier’s wondered why there were so many toilets. They now realise why.)
