132. Antieke Foto/Antique Photo

Deur Anelma Oosthuizen

(English translation in italics)

Die Antieke Foto

Foto: Montagu Museum

ANTIEKE FOTO VAN DEEL VAN MONTAGU GENEEM VOOR 1901

ANTIQUE PHOTO OF PART OF MONTAGU TAKEN BEFORE 1901

Drie jaar  gelede, 2021, het ek vir Montagu-Stories ‘n stuk geskryf:  “Montagu die klein stapdorp” (Montagu Stories nommer 25. Sien asseblief die skakel aan die einde van die storie) . Nou, in November 2024, kry ek ‘n antieke foto van Montagu museum. Die foto het my in vervoering. Dis ‘n kosbare foto. Die foto neem my terug na my kinder- en jeugjare  op Montagu omdat die foto presies fokus op die deel van die dorp waar my ouers hul huis laat bou het, op die hoek van Bloemstraat en Joubertstraat. 

Three years ago, 2021, I wrote a piece for Montagu-Stories: “Montagu the small walking town” (Montagu Stories number 25. Please see the link at the end of the story). Now, in November 2024, I receive an antique photo from Montagu museum. The photo captivates me. It is a precious photo. The photo takes me back to my childhood and youth in Montagu because the photo focuses exactly on the part of the town where my parents had their house built, on the corner of Bloem Street and Joubert Street.

Nommer 1: Die antieke foto wys mooi die kaal erf waar ons huis gebou is. Die kaal erf, langs aan die ou Anglo Boere Oorlog Barakke (No. 4 lankal gesloop) het my pa van meneer Giepie Rossouw (steenmaker) gekoop. In Oktober 1948 het ons in die nuwe huis ingetrek. Ek was 4 jaar oud. My sussie was 2 jaar oud.

Number 1: The antique photo shows the empty plot where our house was built. The empty plot, which was next to the old Anglo-Boer War Barracks (No. 4 since demolished), was bought by my father from Mr. Giepie Rossouw (bricklayer). In October 1948 we moved into the new house. I was 4 years old. My sister was 2 years old.

Fotos: Anelma Oosthuizen

Die antieke foto laat spoel die verlede oor my. In my gedagtes beleef ek weer en sien weer al ons bure en ek hoor hulle stemme. Ek sien weer in my verbeelding die blou Jakaranda-bome.   Ek hoor die kerkhorlosie slaan. Ek hoor die kerkklok lui. Ek hoor tannie Rossouw wat my pa Ewerat noem en nie Eduard nie.

The antique photo makes me nostalgic. In my mind I relive my childhood. I see all our neighbours again and hear their voices. I see the blue Jacaranda trees. I hear the church clock strike and hear the church bell ring. I hear Aunt Rossouw calling my father Ewerat and not Eduard.

Nommer 2: Joubertstraat was in 1948 geteer, maar daar was nie behoorlike sypaadjies met randstene nie. Dit was, voor ons huis, net grond waterslote. Daar was op die suidelike sypaadjies Jakaranda-bome. Aan die noordekant was ‘n ander boomsoort. In die laat 1950’s of vroeg 1960’s is Montagu se strate nuut oorgedoen met sypaadjies en  randstene.

Number 2: Joubert Street was paved in 1948, but there were no proper sidewalks with curbs. In front of our house, there were only earthen ditches. There were Jacaranda trees on the southern sidewalks. On the northern side there was a different type of tree. In the late 1950s or early 1960s, Montagu’s streets were newly redone with sidewalks and curbs.

Nommer 3: Bloemstraat was ‘n grondstraat tot laat 1950’s of vroeg 1960’s.   Langs ons erf, in Bloemstraat, was ‘n ry bloekombome.  Die bome wys op die antieke foto. Teen die 1950’s was die bome baie groot en hoog met dik stamme. Die Locarno-skoolbus het altyd onder die bome stilgehou om in die koelte vir die skoolkinders van die drie skole te wag. (Kindertuin, Laerskool en die Hoërskool teen Kanonkop.

Number 3: Bloem Street was a dirt road until the late 1950s or early 1960s. Next to our yard, in Bloem Street, was a row of eucalyptus trees. The trees are shown in the antique photo. By the 1950s, the trees were very large and tall with thick trunks. The Locarno school bus always stopped under the trees to wait in the shade for the schoolchildren of the three schools. (Kindergarten, Primary School and the High School at Kanonkop.

Nommer 4: Agter ons erf (suidekant) was die ou barakke wat vroeër deur Nagmaalgangers gebruik is. Ek het vantevore vir meneer Allmayer daaroor geskryf en ‘n geheueskets gemaak (Die skets volg). In ligter luim: Ek kon toe nie onthou hoeveel buitetoilette se luggate daar was nie. Nou, op die antieke foto wys dit dat daar 5 buitetoilette was (5 luggate in die toiletmuur). Ek het in my vorige skryfstuk gemeld dat daar dikwels onwelriekende reuk van die toilette gekom het. Dan het ons weggebly van ons suidelike grensdraad. Ek het voorheen in ‘n skryfstuk genoem dat dit nie net tuiskamers was nie. Daar was ook 3 wonings vas aan die kamers. Ek het voorheen genoem dat meneer Wileman(elektrisiën) en gesin in een woning gebly het. Later in dieselfde woning het mevrou Fölscher gewoon (dr. Fölscher se ma). In die klein woonstel op die hoek van Bloemstraat en Piet Retiefstraat het mevrou Roché gewoon. In die groter huis aan Bloemstraat het gewoon meneer Gert Mellet en gesin. (voordat hy laat bou het in Joubertstraat langs mevrou Stergianus). Later het meneer en mevrou Langeveldt in dieselfde woning gebly. Die hele tuiskamerkompleks was gedurende die Anglo-Boere-oorlog deur die Britse soldate beset.

Number 4: Behind our yard (south side) were the old barracks that were previously used by Communion goers. I had previously written to Mr. Allmayer about it and made a memory sketch (Sketch follows). In a lighter vein: I couldn’t remember how many outdoor toilets had air holes. Now, in the antique photo it shows that there were 5 outdoor toilets (5 air holes in the toilet wall). I mentioned in my previous story that there was often an unpleasant smell coming from the toilets. Then we stayed away from our southern boundary fence. I also metioned in my previous story that it wasn’t just accomodation rooms. There were also 3 dwellings attached to the rooms. Mr. Wileman (electrician) and family lived in one dwelling. Mrs. Fölscher (Dr. Fölscher’s mother) moved into the dwelling after Mr. Wileman . Mrs. Roché lived in the small apartment on the corner of Bloem Street and Piet Retief Street. Mr Gert Mellet and family lived in the larger house on Bloem Street.(before he built an house in Joubert Street next to Mrs. Stergianus). Later Mr. and Mrs. Langeveldt lived in the same house. The entire complex was occupied by British soldiers during the Anglo-Boer War.

Skets van die ou barakke kompleks

Sketch of the old barracks complex

Skets: Anelma Oosthuizen

Nommer 5: Op die antieke foto is dit net ‘n kaal stuk grond. Daar is later ‘n huis gebou. Op die gewel is aangedui:  1901. In my kinderjare het meneer C.P. Naude, skoolhoof, en sy gesin daar gewoon. Die geboutjie in die voorgrond op die ou foto is gesloop. Dit was nie in my tyd daar nie.

Number 5: In the antique photo it is just an empty piece of land. A house was built there later. On the gable is indicated: 1901. In my childhood, Mr. C.P. Naude, school principal, and his family lived there. The little building in the foreground in the antique photo has been demolished. It was not there in my time.

Foto: Flip Kriel

C.P. Naude

Foto: Anelma Oosthuizen

Foto: Google Streetview

Nommer 6: Aan die oostekant van my ouers se erf en huis, slegs omtrent 30cm vanaf ons grensdraad was meneer en mevrou Danie Rossouw se stoor (later ook garage). Toe ons my ouers se huis, na my ma se dood, in 2004, verkoop het, was die stoor steeds daar.

Number 6: On the east side of my parents’ yard and house, only about 30cm from our boundary fence was Mr. and Mrs. Danie Rossouw’s store (later also garage). When we sold my parents’ house, after my mother’s death, in 2004, the store was still there.

Nommer 7: Ons bure aan die oostekant was meneer en mevrou Danie Rossouw.   Oom Danie was ‘n boekhouer by ‘n onderneming. Hul het 3 seuns gehad: Pat, Dan en Oelof (Tannie R. praat van Olive). Oor Pat het ek voorheen geskryf. Hy het sy been gedurende WW II verloor en hy het met ‘n kunsbeen (prostese) geloop. Dan was ‘n gesondheidsinspekteur, bedrywig met politiek en later burgemeester van Port Elizabeth. Ek weet nie wat Oelof se beroep was nie. Aan die Rossouw-huis, vas aan die westekant, was ‘n klein woonstel. Daar het verpleegsuster Lombard gewoon en later Miss Walton. (Engelssprekend en verwant aan die groot Waltonpapier-industrie se Waltons. By haar, tydelik, het 2 familiekinders gewoon: Marietjie Aldrich en haar broertjie.

Number 7: Our neighbours on the east side were Mr. and Mrs. Danie Rossouw. Uncle Danie was a bookkeeper at a company. They had 3 sons: Pat, Dan and Oelof (Aunt R. speaks of Olive). I have written about Pat before. He lost his leg during WW II and he walked with an artificial leg (prosthesis). Dan was a health inspector, active in politics and later mayor of Port Elizabeth. I do not know what Oelof’s profession was. At the Rossouw house, right on the west side, there was a small apartment where nurse Lombard lived. Miss Walton with two of the Walton family children, Marietjie Aldrich and her little brother were next to move into the apartment after nurse Lombard left. Miss Walton was English-speaking and related to the Waltons of the large Walton paper industry.

Ek kan net as agterna gedagte meld dat na tannie Rossouw en oom Danie se dood gesin Britz in daardie huis langs my ouers se huis gewoon het. Mnr. Britz was vroeër masjinis van die Makadas treintjie.

I can only mention as an afterthought that after the death of Aunt Rossouw and Uncle Danie, the Britz family lived in that house next to my parents’ house. Mr. Britz used to be the operator of the Makadas train.

Die Rossouw huis/The Rossouw house  

Nommer 8: Langs die Danie Rossouw-huis (wat vandag 2025 nog staan) was die platdakhuisie (staan nie meer nie) van die De Kocks (Bynaam Geelperdjie). Hul dogter, Miemie is getroud met Gert Mellet. ‘n Ander dogter is getroud met ‘n meneer Thiart van Velddrif. Op dieselfde erf, net voor die De Kock-huisie, is later ‘n moderne huis gebou.(siersteenpilare op die voorstoep)   Daar het mevrou Stergianus gewoon. Sy was ‘n suster van tannie Danie Rossouw. Die De Kockhuisie was toe haar pakkamer en buitegebou.

Na mev. Stergianus het mnr en mev. Mocke in die huis gewoon. Hul dogter was getroud met mnr. Olivier van die Eksekuteurskamer wat Boland bank geword het.

Number 8: Next to the Danie Rossouw house (which is still standing today in 2025) was the flat-roofed house (no longer standing) of the De Kocks (nickname Geelperdjie). Their daughter, Miemie, married Gert Mellet. Another daughter married a Mr. Thiart van Velddrif. On the same plot, just in front of the De Kock house, a modern house was built later. (decorative stone pillars on the front porch) Mrs. Stergianus lived there. She was a sister of Aunt Danie Rossouw. The De Kock house was then her storeroom and outbuilding.

After Mrs. Stergianus, Mr. and Mrs. Mocke lived in the house. Their daughter was married to Mr. Olivier of the Executors’ Chamber which became Boland Bank.

Mevrou Stergianus se huis in Joubertstraat/Mrs. Stergianus’ house in Joubert Street

Fotos: Google Streetview

The Antique Photo

Nommer 9: Die huis op die hoek van Bloemstraat en Joubertstraat, wes van my ouers se huis staan vandag nog (gastehuis geword). Die huis het behoort aan die Euvrard-gesin. Die dogter, Bettie(Elizabeth), was getroud met meneer Giepie Rossouw (steenmaker). Mevrou Lucy Euvrard se nooiensvan was Cumpsty. Oor die Cumpsty-familie het ek reeds voorheen geskryf. Later het Barnard-gesin daar gewoon. Nog later posmeester Combrink(voordat hy met mej. Joubert getroud is). Die huis het ook ‘n woonstel aan die westekant, in Joubertstraat gehad. Daar het ‘n Rademan gesin met 2 seuns gewoon. Later het ‘n Theron-gesin daar gewoon.

Number 9: The house on the corner of Bloem Street and Joubert Street, west of my parents’ house still stands today (2025) (became a guesthouse in 1996). The house belonged to the Euvrard family. The daughter, Bettie (Elizabeth), was married to Mr. Giepie Rossouw (bricklayer). Mrs. Lucy Euvrard’s maiden name was Cumpsty. I have already written about the Cumpsty family before. Later, the Barnard family lived there. Even later, postmaster Combrink (before he married Miss Joubert). The house also had an apartment on the west side, in Joubert Street. A Rademan family with 2 sons lived there. Later, a Theron family lived there.

Nommer 10: Die huis op die hoek van Bloemstraat en Piet Retiefstraat het behoort  aan dokter Jokkie le Roux se ma. Later het stadsklerk, W.I.B. du Plessis daar gewoon. Die huis is vandag pragtig gerestoureer.

Number 10: The house on the corner of Bloem Street and Piet Retief Street belonged to doctor Jokkie le Roux’s mother. Later, Town Clerk, W.I.B. du Plessis lived there. The house has been beautifully restored today.

Nommer 11: Aan Piet Retiefstraat is die huis van meneer en mevrou Jan Swart. Dit vorm deel van die barakkekompleks. Ek het dit so aangedui op die skets wat ek vir die museum gemaak het. 

Number 11: On Piet Retief Street is the house of Mr. and Mrs. Jan Swart. It forms part of the barracks complex. I indicated it this way on the sketch I made for the museum.

Nommer 12: Die Piet Retiefstraathuis van meneer en Mevrou  Giepie Rossouw. Hul enigste kind, Lucy-Anne, was van kleinsaf my speelmaat en later klasmaat.  Giepie is oorlede toe Lucy-Anne maar 12 jaar oud was. Steeds onder nr. 12 in hul agterplaas  is die grasdakgebou, die stoor. Die antieke foto wys dit . Ek dink dis vandag nog daar.   Ouma Lucy het dit die “shed” genoem. Daarin het ons dikwels gespeel. Ek het daaroor geskryf in ‘n vorige stuk.

Number 12: The Piet Retief Street house of Mr. and Mrs. Giepie Rossouw. Their only child, Lucy-Anne, was my playmate and later classmate from childhood. Giepie died when Lucy-Anne was only 12 years old. In the backyard of their house is a thatched building, the store. The antique photo shows it. I think it is still there today. Grandma Lucy called it the “shed”. We often played in it.

Nommer 13: Piet Retiefstraathuis wat vandag nog staan. Dit het ook ‘n tuiskamer deel aan die westekant vir Nagmaalgangers. Ek weet nie wie die eienaar destyds was nie.

Number 13: Piet Retief Street house that still stands today. It also has an accomodation section on the west side for Communion goers. I don’t know who the owner was at the time.

Nommer 14: Piet Retiefstraat aan die noordekant van die N.G.Kerk. Op die sypaadjies was ‘n ry wilde pruimebome. Ek ken nie die botaniese naam nie. My oupa, Gabriël Matthys le Roux Kriel, en gesin se huis was en is vandag nog 2 huise vanaf die ou Ebenhaezer-kerksaal en later die nuwe kerksaal. Die Kriel-huis is in 1912 gebou. Dit het nog nie bestaan toe die antieke foto geneem is nie.

Number 14: Piet Retief Street on the north side of the N.G. Church. On the sidewalk was a row of wild plums. I do not know the botanical name. My grandfather, Gabriël Matthys le Roux Kriel and family’s house was and is still 2 houses from the old Ebenhaezer church hall and later the new church hall. The Kriel house was built in 1912. It did not yet exist when the antique photo was taken.

Gabriël Matthys le Roux Kriel se huis/Gabriël Matthys le Roux Kriel’s house

Foto: Anelma Oosthuizen

Foto: Montagu Museum

Nommer 15: Badstraat. Op die antieke foto wys alle strate was nog grondstrate.

Number 15: Badstraat. In the antique photo, all streets were still dirt roads.

Nommer 16: Heel links op die antieke foto steek die ou Standard Bank se gewels uit.   Dokter Muller se grasdakhuis was toe die foto geneem is, nog nie daar in Badstraat nie.

Number 16: On the far left of the antique photo, the gables of the old Standard Bank protrude.  When the photo was taken, Doctor Muller’s thatched house was not yet there in Bath Street.

Nommer 17: Die ou Ebenhaezer –kerksaal. Daarheen het ek gegaan vir Sondagskool. Dit is gesloop om ‘n nuwe kerksaal te bou.

Number 17: The old Ebenhaezer church hall. I went there for Sunday school. It was demolished to build a new church hall.

Nommer 18: Grondpaadjie op na Kanonkop. Die hoërskool was nog nie daar  toe die foto geneem is nie. Die Kindertuinskool en die Laerskool was ook nog nie daar nie.

Number 18: Dirt road up to Kanonkop. The high school was not yet there when the photo was taken. The Kindergarten School and the Primary School were also not there yet.

Nommer 19: Grondpaadjie na Fonteintjieskloof/Witfontein Montagu Suid.

Number 19: Dirt road to Fonteintjieskloof/Witfontein Montagu South.

Nommer 20: Langstraat. Die Geogiaanse huis staan vandag nog daar op die hoek van Langstraat en Kerkstraat. Op ‘n stadium het my ma se neef, Titos de Koker daarin gewoon.

Transnet Heritage Library Photo Collection

Number 20: Long Street. The Georgian house on the corner of Long and Church Streets still stands there today (2025). At one point my mother’s cousin, Titos de Koker, lived in it.

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Wat leer die antieke foto die kyker: Dat Montagu ‘n lewende museum is. Dat geboue, wat goed gebou is, vir altyd bly staan. Ou geboue oorleef mense. Almal huil nou nog omdat die ou hoërskool teen Kanonkop gesloop is. Die gebou was maar 40 jaar oud. Die antieke foto leer die kyker hoe onontwikkel die dorp, Montagu, nog was voor 1901. Dit leer die kyker ook om waardering te hê vir die dorp soos hy vandag daar uitsien. Die kyker kan ook waardering hê vir die fotograaf van destyds. Dis ‘n baie goeie, duidelike foto.

What does the antique photo teach the viewer: That Montagu is a living museum. That buildings, which are well built, stand forever. Old buildings survive people. Everyone is still crying now because the old high school at Kanonkop was demolished. The building was only 40 years old. The antique photo teaches the viewer how undeveloped the town, Montagu, was before 1901. It also teaches the viewer to have appreciation for the town as it looks today. The viewer can also have appreciation for the photographer of the time. It is a very good, clear photo.

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25.“Montagu die klein stapdorp”