Dingwalls bid farewell to their beloved homestead

Nestled on one of their comfy couches, Derek and Joyce Dingwall watch as the choppy waters of Homestead Dam lap the bank outside their home.

The water is a sombre blue almost as if it is preparing to bid the Alphen Park residents farewell.

For the past four decades, the walls of this home have been instrumental in capturing fond family memories. The home has offered comfort in times of despair and has been a meeting place where lovers of one of the city’s most pristine water bodies would meet to orchestrate clean-up projects to eradicate the invasive hyacinth.

Meeting with the Dingwalls for a last time, the labyrinth of moving boxes is a stark reminder that the city is bidding farewell to couple who were deeply entrenched in their commitment to Benoni and its community.

“In 1968 we stood on the deck of a ship, watching as Scotland, the country of our birth slowly slipped out of sight as we embarked on an adventure to find a new home in South Africa,” said Derek, while squeezing his wife’s hand.

“Arriving in Johannesburg and given our Scottish descent, we were directed to a train heading to a place called Benoni, the jewel of the East Rand.

“We may have left our home to start a new life in sunny SA, but we found our souls in this vibrant mining town.”

Joyce said despite the many jokes poking fun at the city and its residents, who are often illustrated as ‘rough and ready,’ only true Benonians possess the spirit which makes the city great.

“We are terribly excited to start our new chapter, against the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, in George,” said Joyce.

“We know this will be yet another memorable adventure in our marriage, we will however miss beautiful Benoni and all her incredible people.”

Of their continued community involvement Derek jokingly recalls when his boss urged him to attend the local chapter of the United States’ Junior Chamber, also known as the JayCees’ leadership training services, especially one specialising in public speaking.

With his blue eyes delighting in the memory he said the course was recommended in an effort to slow down his speech.

“I guess the speed at which I spoke paired with my broad accent made it difficult to understand,” he said with a smile.

“Meeting in the hall, in then Farrarmere Gardens’ Government Village, I acquired life altering skills which not only had a profound impact on my career but also changed the course of our lives.”

Following suit, Joyce soon joined the ladies’ chapter, JayCets, who were responsible for hosting extravagant balls and knee-slapping musical theatres at the picturesque town hall.

“We had a hoot hosting these events. Being mothers and homemakers did not stop us from raising a few eyebrows with our humorous productions,” she said.

“The town was a hive of activity. The Plaza was the place to be while the hanging pots of flowering geraniums along Prince’s Avenue welcomed everyone.”

Remaining committed to his role within the JayCees, Derek became a familiar face at local schools, mentoring learners and teaching them valuable communication skills with the emphasis on speaking with meaning.

As his business flourished, Joyce could be found at home supporting her two children through their school careers and sometimes having to apologise for her son, Alistar and company causing traffic jams while riding their customised windsurfers through the streets of Alpen Park.

“Despite the havoc caused, neighbours were gracious in forgiveness, musing at the boys’ ingenious designs,” she said.

Easing into retirement, Derek became the key driving force in the establishment of the Homestead Conservancy.

The community driven initiative has proven successful in not only ridding the dam of hyacinth but through continued effort and funding from concerned residents, has maintained its clean bill of health.

“Handing over the reins of this project has been effortless and I know that work will continue unabated,” said Derek.

“The rise of organisations such as Clean Projects, Homestead Helpers for Benoni and others is a testament of the true Benoni spirit.

“Following in the footsteps of our city’s founders, Benoni will again rise as the jewel. Our community does not buckle under the pressure of negativity.”

After a series of warm embraces, Derek expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Benoni City Times.

“When we needed community involvement in any of our projects, the newspaper was always present,” he said.

“Throughout the years the publication has excelled in its work to bring relevant and local news but also remained committed to telling the stories of the community.”

With a final wave the Dingwalls leave the city with a final message: “Remain true to the spirit of our dynamic city and continuously strive to make it this not only your home, but your living legacy.”

ALSO READ: Hooray for Homestead’s hyacinth heroes

ALSO READ: Local couple makes the news in Scotland upon Queen’s death