The Heidelberg Heritage Association unveiled its 80th Heritage Blue Plaque on August 15.
The latest blue plaque to be unveiled at Mrs Botha’s house, 37 Jacob Street.
The house known as Mrs Botha’s house was built in the 1890s for a Mr Botha, who was married to an English woman.
Mrs Botha stayed in the house for several years after Mr Botha died.
The Kalil family owned the house from 1920 onwards.
Anthony Kalil was born on December 12, 1912, in Sibeyl, Lebanon.
Kalil relocated with his parents to South Africa and settled in Heidelberg in 1920 when he was seven.
Kalil attended Heidelberg Public School. The school at the time was situated on Begeman Street.
Anthony married Annie Safi from Lebanon in 1937.
Together they had six children (Nero, Joseph, Peter, Mary, Eva and Gerald). Kalil loved Heidelberg and referred to it as ‘heavensberg’.
Another building that Kalil owned was the Old Union bioscope on Jacobs Street.
The Union Bioscope was situated across the road from Mrs Botha’s house and was frequented by the local community, scholars, and Heidelberg Teachers Training college students.
Kalil passed away in Johannesburg on August 28, 2000, after a short illness.
GC Mouldings and Aida Estates operated their businesses from this house in the 1990s.
The latest occupant of the house is Rasam Tandoori’s Indian Restaurant. They have been in operation since 2014.
The plaque was sponsored by Albert Grobler.
