The History of the Old Location “Ou Skom”.
 

Description
It was situated in the current Heidelberg Industrial area and divided into two sections namely, Espantsha was in the area covering the current BP Garage (Now Sasol) and Sheriff Tyres in Schoeman Street, occupied by Indians, Coloured and Chinese nationalities, whereas Emagogogweni was occupied mostly by Africans. This area was in the Eastern and Northern parts of Heidelberg.    
Apsey Street was the main road that connected the two sections, with the bus and taxi ranks, public open space  and the (The Square) Ishmail centre. In the same area was the open space used for community gathering for certain purposes. This open space was called “Eskhwereng” which means “the square”. This area had a significant history in a sense that “Women Resistance March on the 9th of August 1956”, took place on its ground.

Apsey Street was also connecting the town main street called Voortrekker Street. This street was so significant in a sense that it connected the main rote to Durban in KZN. Voortrekker Street further connected Ishmail Clothing Shop, Mafuta Shop, Eskort Bacon Factory and the Cigarette manufacturing company known by then as Tembrandt Tobacco Manufacturing Company. This company indeed boosted the economy of the area fairly enough from the fact that a high number of employment opportunities were created.
The Main Street to Rensburg was renamed Albert Street.
 

Population
The population by then was at an estimate of 8000-9000 people, comprised of African, Indians, Coloured and Chinese Nationalities. The majority were blacks, strongly believing in community sharing inspired by love. The Africans were a praying and God praising community. Coloured Nationalities were at least privileged and considered themselves as upper class.
 

Amenities and Recreation
There were two soccer fields, two tennis courts and one beer hall which catered for both sexes. In 1958 the first burial club came into being headed by Mr. A. Okker and J. Motsile. The aim of the burial society was to help those who were unable to bury their loved ones. Communities in the location were entertained with soccer, music, tennis, cinema and of course enjoyed their Sorghum beer. Very few people had permits of buying modern liquor drinks in the bottle stores. Gramophones were mostly used to play music. In 1957-1958 radiograms were introduced, that gave chance to listen to news and building community programmes.
 

Arts & Culture Recreation
There was a jazz band, and musical groups called, Alimo Brothers (founded by the late FM Radio presenter Mr. George Cindi), Mbaquanga (dance music lead by Mr. Boy Ntshingila), Mad Guys, Vikings (by Tinny Sigasa(, etc.
 

Sport
Soccer: Two famous clubs were in existence namely, Hot Beans and Happy Hearts. These clubs were contesting for spectator support and acknowledgement. Tennis: The club was founded by Mr. Steve Mokoena and Mrs. Maberesi Moloi.
 

Schools
There were no prior facilities and formal schools, but classes were conducted in the Church Halls within the same premises namely in the amalgamated Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. These were mission schools. In all there were 19 informal built churches to accommodate as well the religious services. Students were coming as far as from Emmasdal, Driemanskap and surroundings. Classes were from Sub A (Standard 1) to grade 7 (Standard 5), then proceeded to grade 9 (Standard 7) which was offered in Nigel. The majority of students left school after being promoted to the latter grade due to lack of financial resources from parents. Teachers were always the first parents of the learners and bio;ogical parents, second to learners. Level of educated people in the area was relevantly low due to unavailability of educational facilities.
 

New Schools
Tswinyane Senior Primary and Binyane Primary Schools. Delivery of lessons used to start at 06:00 up until 15:00. The involvement of teachers was very high, inspired by commitment and dedication.
 

Houses
Houses were made of zink and were rationally big in size.
 

Shops
In the area of Emagogogweni there was a shop called KwaMagomazi. The building still exists as you enter the Rensburg Township.
 

Job Opportunities/ Employment
Jobs or employment were from the abattoirs, agriculture, school college, households (laundry and house cleaning in town), South African Railway and the Transvaal Road Agency. Only a formal carpentry firm existed, in Marshall Street, employing few people. A steel factory was eventually established by Mr. Greyling,  a businessman, which absorbed a few people. Some of the women were natural entrepreneurs, surviving from hand crafts made of grass (izimantji). These crafts were to be sold as far as the Free State, which was then known as the Orange Free State. The majority of men were employed in Germiston, Boksburg, Johannesburg and Alberton.
Others were self employed:- 
• Mr. Sikhonde – Watch repairs.
• Mr. Mabina – Selling wood.
• Mr. Tshabalala – Shoe repairs
 

Currency
The currency by then was Pounds. (Pennies, shillings, half pennies)
 

Mode of Transport
The mode of transport by then was the taxis, a bus or train.
• There was one bus owned ny the late Indian businessman called Lala Bus Transport, transporting the community in and around the area.
• Few taxis were owned by the; the late Mr. Nhlapo, Tshabalala, Msiza, Motsile and Radebe. The taxi rank was on the ground next to the Old Railway Station known as the Heidelberg Motor Museum. (Now the Heidelberg Heritage Museum). The passenger train from Johannesburg connected Balfour and splitting to go to Kraal, Villiers, Grootvlei, and Bethlehem or continuing to Natal.
 

Water availability and sanitation
There were no house conventional water taps. Water would be fetched far away from the houses at communal taps. At times queues were found to be long due to the water only dripping or coming very slow from the tap. The cause of the latter was the aged infrastructure that was not maintained. Sanitation was a serious and ignored challenge by authorities. This challenge undermined human gignity.
 

Cemeteries
The cemetery was not far away from the community, hence a coffin was carried by hand from home to the cemetery. Coffins were home and handmade. This was purely because of scarcity of financial resources. Amazingly, funerals were highly honoured and respected. People would bow down when a funeral proceeded to the grave site.                    
 

Health
Facilities such as clinics were not in place and health professionals, sisters, nurses, et., were very few. Health experienced women would at time assist women in labour/delivering of a child. These few nurses were working 24 hours voluntarily, because to them the profession was a calling. At one stage the community experienced a fatal epidemic which ravaged the area. Tents were erected in community administration offices which served as a hospital. Teachers and the Red Cross offered their services to assist the affected and infected patients.
 

Safety & Security
The police of the era were brutal and conducted themselves horribly against the community. They were actually regarded as enemies of the community due to their behaviour. Persons wishing to visit the family from outside, would need to apply for a permit before visiting the area and spot checks would be conducted unannounced. Adults staying with parents in the same house were forced to pay lodgers fee. One would be arrested for failing to adhere to the latter.
 

Politics
The politics were heavily conducted under ground. People participating in politics were arrested and tortured. Any gatherings were closely monitored, hence some were conducted in the form of a church service. People found to be involved in politics would be dismissed from employment. Mr. Morgan Sibaya was the victum for wearing the ANC uniform and his employment was terminated.
 

Political Activities
A March was organized to resist the carrying of the “Dom Pas” and all identity documents were burnt at the Square. A strike for the minimum wage of a pound a day was also organized.
(Unknown Author)