Your guide to Heidelberg Gauteng
#Rensburg Houses
Heritage Blue Plaque #Nr 44
RENSBURG HOUSES - 34 DF MALAN STREET; RENSBURG
What is the story here?
On the night of the 1st September 1900, the Boers blew up a train to the South of Heidelberg near Mr. van Rensburg’s house. He was awakened by the explosion. He correctly surmised that the Boers had blown up the railway line near his farm, but decided to report the sabotage in the morning. He then went back to sleep.Van Rensburg left for Heidelberg early the following morning. Meanwhile an English patrol had been sent out. On discovering the wrecked line they promptly sought the nearest farmhouse and burnt it to the ground.Van Rensburg’s wife and children were left standing in the veld and his stock driven off. No doubt the luckless Van Rensburg vowed never again to roll over and sleep after hearing an explosion.
This house was one of the first houses built in Rensburgdorp, registered as a village council with a health committee, as the village was too small to be proclaimed a town. If one looks around the area one can notice a few other houses that have sandstone foundations. The building of houses with sandstone stone foundations was replaced with concrete in the 1930/1940s. Rensburg is now a suburb of Heidelberg.
Mr Hendrik Petrus Francois Janse van Rensburg donated part of his farm “Houtpoort" to the Boers that had not yet financially recovered after the 2nd Anglo-Boer War and did not want to live under the British Municipality that had taken over Heidelberg. Perhaps also to ease his conscience, as he had signed the oath of neutrality with the British and was considered a “Fens-hopper” by the Boers.
Hendrik Petrus Francois Janse van Rensburg
born May 1863 at Winburg, Free State. He was the son of Petrus Jacobus Johannes Janse van Rensburg born 16 July 1812 and Amerentia Jacoba Bekker born 22 September 1824 and she died c1889.
He was married to Amerentia Wilhemina Maria Koen. She was the daughter of Jacobus Casparus Koen who died 13 August 1910, and Catharina Johanna Koen who died 12 October 1910. When Amerentia died at her residence at 12 Northern Mansions, Nigel on 1 March 1945, her age was then given as 77 years and 3 months at Nigel. This means that Amerentia was born December 1867.
Hendrik Petrus Francois Janse van Rensburg died 14th November 1906. He was then 43 years and six months old. Which means that he must have been born in May 1863. His occupation at time of his death is given as speculator. At the time of his death they had two adult children and 9 minors: (They are both buried in the Heidelberg Kloof Cemetery) (Source: http://www.oocities.org/.../1266/historical-PeaceCom.htm)
Incident during the 2nd Anglo-Boer War
On the night of the 1st September 1900, the Boers blew up a train to the South of Heidelberg near Mr. van Rensburg’s house. He was awakened by the explosion. He correctly surmised that the Boers had blown up the railway line near his farm, but decided to report the sabotage in the morning. He then went back to sleep.
Van Rensburg left for Heidelberg early the following morning. Meanwhile an English patrol had been sent out. On discovering the wrecked line they promptly sought the nearest farmhouse and burnt it to the ground.
Van Rensburg’s wife and children were left standing in the veld and his stock driven off. No doubt the luckless Van Rensburg vowed never again to roll over and sleep after hearing an explosion.
(Source: Heidelbergers of the Boer War by Ian Uys)
(Copy of documents provided by Lourain McGregor.)
