Archived Newsletters 2018
Heritage Newsletter #6
December, 2018
Welcome to the December Edition of the Heritage Newsletter which will consider progress this year as well as looking at our plans for the future.
Progress Over the Year
During the early part of 2018 we decided to approach Heritage Western Cape to explore the possibility of having the De Rust Heritage Conservation Association re-registered as a heritage organisation in its own right. The objective was to provide a clear focus on the village of De Rust and District while at the same time retaining close links with Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis and the Simon van der Stel Foundation in the Southern Cape.
The process in dealing with Heritage Western Cape was somewhat drawn out. However, with assistance from many sources, including our friends and colleagues at both Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis and the Simon van der Stel Foundation our restored independent status originally granted in 2008 was finally approved by the Council of Heritage Western Cape on 13 September, 2018. Our revised status allows us to more fully represent De Rust and the community it serves more effectively.
Joint Permit Committee
While being able to operate more independently into the future we remain part of the Joint Permit Committee in Oudtshoorn comprising Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis, De Rust Heritage and the Oudtshoorn Municipality. This body is the current Heritage Advisory body to the Municipality in all aspects of “heritage” and is there to assist in the effective management of the local heritage resources in terms of its mandate from Heritage Western Cape.
Heritage Overlay Zone Advisory Committee
The Heritage Overlay Zone Advisory Committee (HOZAC) is a soon to be formed new body to advise the Oudtshoorn Municipality on all aspects of heritage including the identification of Heritage Overlay Zones as part of the Town Planning process. This role is identified as part of the current heritage legislation which allows community organisations such as De Rust Heritage to better protect and enhance their own environment.
This body requires a formal resolution of the Oudtshoorn Council to come into being and it is anticipated that this is scheduled to be approved before the Christmas break or at the latest by January, 2019.
Planned De Rust Heritage Survey/Inventory 2019
The Oudtshoorn Municipality have budgeted for an amount of R 120 000 for the Financial Year 2018/19 for a Heritage Survey. All municipalities are required by law to identify all heritage assets in their area by means of a Heritage Survey and to submit the results to Heritage Western Cape.
Following discussions with Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis it was agreed that the available budgeted amount should be used for a Pilot Study using De Rust as the case study. It was felt that De Rust would provide an ideal learning opportunity for the larger study required for Oudtshoorn as much of the work in the Village was already partially complete. Following full completion of the survey a full inventory would be compiled for submission to Heritage Western Cape clearly identifying those buildings and other heritage assets of value. At the same time it will assist the Oudtshoorn Municipality in compiling a heritage budget for future years to cover the Greater Oudtshoorn area as a whole.
Our Website
We started the construction of our website at the beginning of May, 2018 and it became live in June this year. Rawson Estates and in particular Ann Meiring our local Rawson agent was instrumental in getting us the initial seed sponsorship for the development of the site – a sincere thank you Ann.
We were also extremely fortunate in obtaining the services of Ailsa Tudhope of “The Story Weaver” from Prince Albert who has not only helped us put together an extremely useful resource but has been more than willing to spend extra time in getting the site to where it is now. Thank you Ailsa – your dedication and willingness to assist us is greatly appreciated by all involved.
We always saw the website as a broad resource for De Rust from the perspective of creating a sustainable community for all in De Rust and the District. Sustainable communities are safe and pleasant communities and thrive due to the involvement of many volunteers in many different areas. Once again thank you all, for your efforts both in De Rust and all our other heritage colleagues.
For more information about De Rust Heritage and the many varied opportunities to become involved in our community we suggest you explore our site.
Hazel Jonker addresses our November meeting
General Update Meeting
A general Update Meeting was held at “Beans About Coffee” in De Rust on Wednesday 21 November, 2018. The purpose of the meeting was to update the De Rust community on progress to date as well as the current legislation.
We had an excellent turn-out of over 20 with the guest speakers being Hazel Jonker the Chair of Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis and Johan Smit the Chair of the Joint Heritage Permit Committee. We would like to thank all who turned out as well as our Guest Speakers with their valuable contributions.
The Minutes of the Update Meeting are now available here for information. Notices of future meetings will also be made available on that page.
Planned Projects for 2019
Heritage Certificate Program – University of Stellenbosch
Over and above the aspects mentioned above we have formally invited Professor Matilda Burden from the University of Stellenbosch to run a Heritage Program in Oudtshoorn early in 2019. This will be a joint venture between Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis and De Rust Heritage and will be subsidised by Historical Homes in Stellenbosch. Costs for participants are anticipated to be in the order of R 300 for the three days – please contact us if you are interested in learning more about this valuable initiative.
De Rust Koppie
De Rust Heritage was successful in having the illegal refuse transfer station on the Koppie removed in 2016 by approaching Cape Nature and having them take legal steps in this regard. It intends stepping up these efforts in order to ensure that the Oudtshoorn Municipality fulfils the other important aspect ordered by Cape Nature which is the rehabilitation of the De Rust Koppie as set out in the original notice to take legal action if this was not done.
De Rust Eco-Festival 2019
We are also planning to hold an Eco-Festival in June/July, 2019 and are looking for suggestions and volunteers to be involved in both the planning and participation in the event. Again please contact us directly if you are interested in assisting or providing ideas for consideration.
Support for the “De Rust Animal Health Trust”
The De Rust Animal Health Trust has been in operation since 2007 and is run by a team of dedicated and committed volunteers headed by Garth Ryder our local vet. The Trust caters for owners and animals requiring assistance where either they are unable to contribute for treatment or where animals are brought in requiring emergency treatment as a result of accidents.
De Rust Heritage believes that the “De Rust Animal Health Trust” is a very deserving cause and that the community should get fully behind assisting wherever possible.
Details are available on our website on their dedicated page including their achievements and banking details. Please help where you can.
Our Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and a Prosperous and Safe 2019
We would like to take this opportunity of wishing all the residents of De Rust best wishes for the Festive Season and 2019. May everything you wish for yourselves and your loved ones come to fruition.
We also look forward to De Rust Heritage Conservation Association going forward from strength to strength and assisting in creating a fully sustainable community, both in De Rust and the broader district in the years ahead.
Finally, a sincere thank you to all who assisted us in making the progress we have over the last year. Your input and advice is greatly appreciated and we anticipate a successful 2019 going forward.
01 December, 2018 You can download the December newsletter as a pdf file here
Heritage Newsletter #5
November, 2018
Welcome to the November, 2018 edition of our Newsletter covering our progress in the past month as well as our plans for the future.
De Rust Koppie: The De Rust Koppie has recently been receiving additional attention. Willie Immelman has been instrumental in driving the process of highlighting the importance of the Koppie and its environs with particular reference to the unique plant and animal life in the demarcated sensitive area. Unfortunately, the Oudtshoorn Municipality has been slow in carrying out the rehabilitation of the area as originally required by Cape Nature in 2016. In addition, small builders are still dumping rubble in the environmentally sensitive area as well as plastic and other waste being discarded by residents.
There is now a renewed focus on the rehabilitation of the De Rust Koppie in terms of the original court order. The alternative is requesting Cape Nature to re-instate the original Court Order requiring the Oudtshoorn Municipality to carry out the rehabilitation process as originally required.
De Rust Heritage Meeting: The De Rust Heritage Conservation Association will be holding a meeting for De Rust property owners on Wednesday 21 November, 2018 at 17.30. The venue will be at "Beans About Coffee" at the Caltex Service Station at the Klein Karoo Co-op. The meeting is primarily aimed at property owners and the effects of heritage legislation on their properties. However, all residents are welcome to be fully aware of the legislation and how it affects the Village as a whole.
Hazel Jonker, the Chair of Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis will be the guest speaker and will be covering key points of the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999. In addition, she will also be explaining the complementary roles of Heritage Western Cape as well as those of the Oudtshoorn Municipality and heritage bodies such as Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis and De Rust Heritage.
In addition, Johan Smit the Chair of the Joint Heritage Permit Committee will be explaining the role and functions of the Joint Permit Committee which is a shared structure between Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis, De Rust Heritage and the Oudtshoorn Municipality.
There will be an opportunity to discuss aspects of the municipal regulations and how they affect areas including both De Rust and Oudtshoorn. It will also include the requirement in law for the Oudtshoorn Municipality to conduct a Heritage Inventory of heritage structures/sites older than 60 years old in the Village and immediate district.
Meiringspoort Half Marathon 2018:This annual event held on Saturday 13 October, 2018 was a great success with the whole community being involved in ensuring everything went off smoothly. Congratulations to the organising committee and all those assisting in making the 2018 event the best so far. Each year the arrangements ensure that the event is a great advertisement for De Rust and shows what it is possible to achieve when all pull together in a common cause to the overall benefit of all in the Village.
De Rust Heritage Eco - Festival 2019: Discussions have already started in order to arrange an new initiative – an annual Eco-Festival in De Rust over the week-end of 28 to 30 June, 2019. The intention is to showcase De Rust as a total package, offering the full range of environmental and heritage aspects linked to our broad heritage and eco-tourism objectives in the Klein Karoo.
We are looking for volunteers for the organising committee in order to set up a provisional program for this event. Please contact De Rust Heritage on our contact page on www.derustheritage.org.za if you can assist or call us on cell 082 777 1519. Further details on this exciting project to follow shortly.
01 November, 2018
Heritage Newsletter #4
October, 2018
Welcome to the October, 2018 edition of our Newsletter covering our progress in the past month as well as our plans for the future.
Re-registration with Heritage Western Cape
Our re-registration with Heritage Western Cape was approved at their Council Meeting held in Cape Town on 13 September, 2018. This allows us to continue to operate as a registered Heritage organisation as was originally envisaged by the founders of the De Rust Heritage Conservation Association in 2008. As mentioned in our September Newsletter we will continue to liase closely with Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis in building a better understanding of the role of heritage in the Greater Oudtshoorn area and beyond.
De Rust: The Building of a Sustainable Community
We strongly believe that part of our overall mission is to assist in continuing with the building of a sustainable community in De Rust and environs. To this end the issue of Eco-tourism is a major focus with the immediate De Rust area being ideal for activities of this type.
The Role of Eco-tourism in Heritage: Eco Tourism is becoming increasingly popular globally and the opportunity for De Rust to market itself in this rapidly growing global area of activity is significant. We believe that De Rust should assume greater responsibility for its own marketing rather than leaving this solely to Oudtshoorn Tourism to handle. A combination of local and international initiatives will ensure that De Rust benefits from the ever growing global market in eco-tourism and related activities.
A Full Range of Activities and Events
De Rust can now offer a full range of varied events for all ages and interests including the following:
Meiringspoort Half Marathon 2018: This event is on Saturday 13 October and is an annual event drawing large numbers of runners from around the country. For further details go to our Links Page for “Meiringspoort 21” Marathon.
De Rust Historical Walk: This walk covers the full range of “Heritage” buildings and sites in De Rust including the graves of some of the founding families of De Rust including the Schoeman’s, le Roux’s and Meiring’s. Further details available on our website under “De Rust Heritage Walk.”
Tour of Meiringspoort: It is now possible to have a personal guided tour of Meiringspoort using a local qualified tourist guide from De Rust. In addition, full details on Meiringspoort and its history can be found here.
 Ox wagon in Meiringspoort 1878 |
 Pony cart in Meiringspoort |
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| Ox wagon in Meiringspoort 1878 | Pony cart in Meiringspoort |
Dr. Russel of Oudtshoorn in his 1902 Wolseley Siddeley crossing one of the drifts in Meiringspoort
Dr. Russel of Oudtshoorn in his 1902 Wolseley Siddeley crossing one of the drifts in Meiringspoort
Swartberg Hiking Trail: This new hiking trail will shortly be available on an individual self-guided basis or alternatively with an experienced guide. There are also different distances available, from shorter ones for novices to longer trails for the experienced hiker. Further details to follow shortly.
De Rust Heritage Eco Festival 2019: Discussions have already started in order to arrange an annual Eco Festival from 28 to 30 June, 2019. Further details on this project to follow over the next few months.
01 October, 2018
Heritage Newsletter #3
September, 2018
Welcome to our Spring Edition of our Newsletter #3 covering our progress in De Rust and the road ahead.
Pending Re-registration with Heritage Western Cape
We are expecting our re-registration with Heritage Western Cape during the month as it is on the Agenda for the HWC Board Meeting scheduled on Thursday 13 September, 2018. We anticipate that this should be a formality with the re-registration being approved on the basis of our existing submission as well as our previous membership from 2008.
Links with Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis
As part of the re-registration process Heritage Oudtshoorn Erfenis and De Rust Heritage will continue to work closely together on the Joint Permit Committee which meets every two weeks in Oudtshoorn. The role of this Committee is to scrutinise and approve applications for alterations and additions to “Heritage” buildings over 60 years old." Representatives from both the registered Heritage bodies in Greater Oudtshoorn as well as the Oudtshoorn Municipality sit on this body.
Building a Sustainable Community
De Rust Heritage are firm believers in building “sustainable communities” and to do this requires the linking of Heritage with other related issues including "Eco-Tourism” and Job Creation. Significant opportunities exist in De Rust for these inter-related issues to bring major benefits to the larger community of De Rust including Blomnek.
We are strategically situated in the Klein Karoo to be able to offer a wide range of activities to both local and international visitors in our unique Victorian Village. De Rust is largely unspoilt and retains both the charm of the old as well as providing the opportunity to participate in a wide range of today’s healthy leisure activities for all ages. Eco-tourism is becoming increasingly popular globally and the opportunity for De Rust to market itself in this rapidly growing area is significant. We believe that De Rust should assume greater responsibility for its own marketing rather than leaving this to Oudtshoorn Tourism to handle.
The Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality like many other similar bodies country wide just does not possess either the financial or other necessary resources to carry out this critical function effectively. Perhaps it is time for those concerned with marketing the Village should consider setting up an independent “De Rust Tourism” which is fully independent while at the same time retaining links with Oudtshoorn Municipality on a similar basis to De Rust Heritage.
Arranged Specialised Heritage & Eco-tourism Visits to De Rust
De Rust Heritage believe that in order to assist in preserving the Village it is necessary to set up specialised “Heritage & Eco-tourism Visits” to De Rust using the De Rust Heritage website www.derustheritage.org.za as the medium for obtaining access to this growing market. We are working closely with many of our “heritage” partners in order to grow this market in the coming year. This is a particularly important for us as part of our existing “Heritage Month” plans in September.
01 September, 2018
