Mr. Edmond de la Harpe.
As a child, Edmond de la Harpe lived with his parents in a house that has since been demolished. It is now a vacant stand between Jacob and Strydom Street in Van Der Westhuizen Street. His father was a Dog Handler for the Police and Master of the local Free Masons Lodge. They had 4 Dobbermans. Two of them named Baas and Mona. As Edmond’s father knew about taking care of the dogs, many people brought their sick dogs to him. 

On one occasion Edmond’s father was away and Edmond recommended to the sick dog owner on what to buy at the chemist. Edmond was in trouble, but Edmond explained to his father, “Maar Pa, ek het vir hulle gese wat jy sou hulle gese het!” The dog was cured.

As a child, Edmond remembers playing at the Golf Course where the suburb of Overkruin now is. He would play with his black friend who also was his caddy. He would also roam the land behind the now Army base. He told me there were many black graves and would get into trouble with his mother for bringing items from the graves. Edmond attended both Volkskool and Hoer Volkskool.

He remembers stealing peaches from the Viljoens that stayed at No 1 Pretorius and in turn children would steal his roses when he stayed at No 10 Louw Street.   

After matriculating he attended the “Heidelberg Teachers Training College”. While studying he was the editor of their 50 year anniversary book. After graduating he became the English Teacher of Hoer Volkskool for 36 years. 

In 1972 de la Harpe was crowned the Heidelberg Squash champion. In 1983 he received the State Presidents award for Sports Coaching. De la Harpe served for more than 40 years on the Klipkerk Church Council.
He is now 83 years old and resides in the Suikerbosrand Retirement Resort.
(Source: Interview of Edmond de la Harpe by Tony Burisch)

​Source: Heidelberg Heritage Association - Article Post (Click to visit website)