Montagu Stories

A stately home of Montagu with a tale to tell Qui – Si – Sana in the background 1947 Picture: “Transnet Heritage Library Photo Collection” The property is situated just off the R318 as one leaves Montagu on the way to the Kiesie,Koo and the N1. Caesar Schlessinger Picture: Sheila Boswell Note: Sheila Boswell is…

OLD MONTAGU DAYS THE SALVATION ARMY by Yvonne Bussell At the beginning of the 20th century the Salvation Army was a well-known and busy organisation here in Montagu.  Picture: Montagu Museum For many years the preacher was Captain Siebrits. When someone was in need, you could go and call on them for help. There was…

Anelma Oosthuizen: Hierdie storie is na aanleiding van briefie van ‘n Montaguer wat in die Huisgenoot van 18 Des. 2025 verskyn het. Ek stuur die briefie vir jou..dit het my laat dink aan kort storie die waarheid wat ek geskryf het vir my 65ste verjaarsdag vir my familie veral. Miskien as jy dit kan lees…

Mense van Montagu: Die Joubert’s van Rietvlei 2 English version follows (Die galery volg) Interessante Kykie in die Geskiedenis van die Jouberts  JOZUA PETRUS JOUBERT en SUSANNA CATHARINA MARIA (geb. BURGER) DIE LANG PAD UIT FRANKRYK – 1688 Met die vlug van die Franse Hugenote uit Frankryk na omliggende Protestantse lande het die Here XVII…

Speech given by Irma Jordaan at “Little Sanctuary” on Thursday 23 October 2025 It is a true pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of the MONTAGU HERITAGE ASSOCIATION, to Little Sanctuary, — a place rich in history, charm, and quiet enchantment. For many of you, this may be your first visit to this iconic property…

Updated: 14/01/2026 Vervolg van Deel 3 ADAMUS OOR DIE AFDRAENDE PAD VAN DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE POLISIEDIENS. So tussen deur die onderhoude gooi hy ook sy gevoel oor die polisie se range deesdae in die gesprek. Hy het toevallig by Malmesbury se polisiestasie ingestap en daar was die stasiebevelvoerder toe sowaar ‘n vol kolonel gewees. “Dit is…

Vervolg van Deel 2 VERHOUDING MET PW.BOTHA Met PW as eerste minister het die druk op die Suid-Afrikaanse regering vir demokrasie reeds al hoe groter geword. Druk vir ‘n demokrasie het reeds onder PW se bewind begin toeneem. “Die Tak Landsveiligheid, waarvan hy ook lid was, en onder die Departement van die Eerste Minister geval…

Vervolg van Deel 1 Pleitstukke vir die Wêreldhof in Den Haag. Hy word tydelik gesekondeer aan die Departement van Buitelandse Sake om die span advokate van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika (RSA) behulpsaam te wees met die opstel van die pleitstukke vir die wêreldhof in Den Haag. Dit was die saak van Liberië en Ethiopië teen…

To my delight and surprise I recently received a copy of a publication Nongqai Vol 16 No 10D. The Special Edition was dedicated to a past Montaguer Adamus Stemment (A.P.). With permission from Adamus and the publication Montagu Stories has decided to reproduce and post the content in a four part series over a four…

compiled by Mike the Mapman An extract of an old 1850 map shows the old wagon trails and how they link to the passes around Montagu.   Map: Scan-Montagu Roads 1850’s An enlarged extract of Page 31 from the book …….The Landscape and Architecture of Montagu 1850-1915 by D and V Japha surveyors map sg 572/1856…

“The Montagu Volcano” has a name by Rudi Allmayer The View Coincidental Beginning A view of a mountain from Montagu South. Many a time over the years I have sat on my stoep and thought about how similar the mountain in the pictures looks to a volcano. I have even tried to convince (tongue in…

Michael Josias Jacobus Claassen en Annie Maria Elford (Anna) Oom Claassen werk al 50 jaar in salon Montagu Mail August 1999 In ‘n mooi outydse Karoo-huis in Badstraat 37 is ‘n stukkie Montagu geskiedenis soos ‘n outydse ruiker onder ‘n glasbel vasgevang. Op die stoep van Salon Excelsior staan twee groot potte outydse aspidistras en…

Updated: 08/10/2025 Wedding of Ewie Basson to Justine Joubert Bridesmaids: L – R Shelia (bride’s sister), Rona (bride’s sister), Bestman: Flippie Basson , Peggy Daneel, Mynie Basson (sister of groom)Flower Girls: Suzanne Joubert (dogter van Epsie en Mienie Joubert), Jean (tweede jongste suster van bruid) Picture: taken in grounds of La Rochelle owned at the…

Updated: 18/08/2025 There is a general perception that the area around the Old English Fort in Cogmanskloof is called Kalkoennes. This is correct however an important piece of history needs to be placed on record. Two families owned properties in the area around the Fort. Dr. Muller who sold a piece of his property called…

07/01/1915 – 05/11/1984 By Michelle Christian If ever there was someone who could be described as an enigma then Thelma Gutsche must certainly fit the description, for she seems to be a largely unexplored treasure of South African history. Her seminal work on South African cinema, The History and Social Significance of Motion Pictures in South…