HEIDELBERG - The latest blue plaque for heritage was awarded by Tony Burisch of the Heidelberg Heritage Association at 95 Verwoerd Street on March 24. The plaque is number 70 in the series of blue plaques for heritage. It is estimated that the house was built around the 1920s. 

According to “Die Geskiedenis van Heidelberg”, the first owner of the property at stand 88 was Alex Doig. Doig had a livery and bait stable in Heidelberg. The stables where the horses were kept, sold and hired out. The stand at that stage went all the way to Fenter Street. 

It is believed that the Italian opera singer Emma Renzi (Emmerentia Scheepers) lived there as a child. Renzi was born on April 8, 1928, in Heidelberg. She completed her high school career at Heidelberg at Volkskool. It is believed that another occupant of the property was a minister of the ‘dopper kerk’. 

Louis de Villebois Kuun (1904-1974) and his wife Catherina Louisa (1907-2004) bought the house in 1952. After the death of Louis, his daughter Ria inherited the house. Ria was a nursing sister at the Heidelberg Hospital now known as AG Visser Hospital. Ria was well-known at the hospital as sister Muller (From her previous marriage) The house is situated within walking distance of the hospital.

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Ria was married to Leon Hattingh. Leon was a goldsmith at Diamante en Goud in Begeman Street for 39 years. Ria died on March 30, 2022. Hattingh has been staying at the house for the past 40 years. The plaque is sponsored by the Heidelberg Heritage Association.

(Note by Tony: HF Verwoerd Street was first named Church Street and was changed when Mr. Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd became prime minister.

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Article in the 29th March 2023 edition of the Heidelberg/Nigel Herald by Eugene Viljoen.