The latest blue plaque was awarded to Tom and Magda van Dyk on the 1st of April 2022.
The property next door to the house, was used as a stop for oxen and ox-wagons. The oxen would drink water out of the “Dorpsspruit” that ran through the property. With the oxen lounging and relaxing at the spruit, it was called “uitspan”. Dettmann died on November 3 1933, and Christiana on July 24 1943. Their burial plot is in the Heidelberg Kloof Cemetery.

(Source: Article written by Eugene Viljoen in the 6 April 2022 edition of the Heidelberg/Nigel Heraut.)
(Note by Tony: It has since come to light that according to Sybrand van der Spuy and Danie Steenkamp that Mr Dettmann’s house was located elsewhere in Van der Westhuizen Street)
Tom shared with me that when he purchased this property that the stand next door was vacant with a number of fruit (peach) trees. The spruit also made an extra loop where the oxen must of drank water.

 

It has since been filled in, when the site was developed. His neighbour in Marias Street, a Mr Pienaar, who has passed on, had told him that this house was formally owned by Mr Dettmann.  Alta Bester, Oom Toekie se vrou, shared with Magda, “Ek het baie lekkers by daardie winkel gekoop. As die bus in die oggende gestop het by die skool het ons kinders gehardloop vir vissies, appelkosies en Wilson toffies. Daar was die mooiste houtwerk in daardie gebou.”

Tom said that the bell that was in the tower of the shop, is now mounted on a stand in the garden of the house, that is built like a castle, on the Benoni Road. I wonder if it is still there? Tom resided with his first wife, Martie, here since 1988 and established the Van Dykshuis Guesthouse in 1999.