The Hazyview history project is ready to start

There is a growing interest in the proposal to gather and compile the history of Hazyview and its surroundings. A provisional date has been set for Saturday May 21 at 10:00 for an informal public meeting at Numbi Hotel guesthouse to discuss the project.

Anyone interested, or with information to share, are requested to attend. The project is the initiative of the Mpumalanga Heritage (formally the Mpumalanga Historical Interest Group) with a view to work in conjunction with the Hazyview Garden Club – one of the first local organisations to show an interest in such a project – as well as all other interested parties. Hazyview Herald has also given its full support to promote the project.
The established author of books on local history, specifically of the Lowveld, Hans Bornman, will be available for the research, development and final committing to paper for publication.
For more information regarding the project, please contact the project leader at history@destinationsmp.co.za or Marius on 013-754-1600 during office hours.

Tracing the history of the town’s most memorable early inhabitants

At the start of the Hazyview Herald History Project, an initiative of Mpumalanga Heritage, some interesting research and writings have started to trickle in. John Duff has sent us this charming piece as well as some rare photographs for publication in Hazyview Herald:
Hazyview’s history starts soon after World War II but the town only received its name in 1959. It was proclaimed when the post office and telephone exchange moved from Kiepersol to Hazyview. The name Hazyview refers to the shimmering haze which occurs on hot days usually in summer. A very apt name and wonderful identity.
At this time Roy Hurndall and his family moved to the area. The Hurndall’s commenced their Lowveld lives working at the Mahushu store. Roy built this store with a friend from his war days, at the junction of the Numbi gate and Legogote roads. Basic shopping was provided to the faculty for the emerging population, surrounding the south-western boundary of the Kruger National Park. Mielie meal, polish, rubber, paraffin, candles, sweets and so much more were some of the produce that was sold at the store that is still standing.
It was while building at Mahushu that Roy and his friend heard that the Royal family would be passing by on their way to the Kruger Park. They put on their uniforms, pinned on their medals and gave the grand salute as the Royal cavalcade drove past – the whole party came to a stop, reversed and joined Roy and his friend for a cup of tea that King George VI and his wife, the Duchess of York, the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Boiled on an open fire, by the roadside, tin mugs and no biscuits and sitting on a tree stump, a far cry from Buckingham Palace.
This land was owned by Miss Dickens who arrived by herself in an ox-wagon. Reputed as a strong and capable woman she was widely admired. It was while working at this general dealer that the Hurndall’s moved to their house close to the primary school. Nola Hurndall still lives in this house. At that time there were only five families resident in the area. They were Dor and Ivan Bruckman, Miss Dickens, Dick and Joey Flederman, Anne and Ram Ramsay who built and owned Sabie River Bungalows, now known as Sabie River-Sun and Roy and Mickey Hurndall.
A row of shops was near the old police station. These shops incorporated Hazyview Traders owned by Roy Hurndall, a butcher, a pharmacy owned by Maureen Brotherton and a telephone exchange.
The Hazyview Trading Store, in the late 1940s, was the first facility offering more sophisticated products than had been available up to that time. So, in addition to the general dealer product range, the consumer could now enjoy canned foods, cosmetics, fabrics and a host of “naughty” items that make life worth living.
Prior to 1959 the area that is now Hazyview fell under the control of Kiepersol which was situated near the present day Sabie Valley Macadamia Company. It consisted mainly of the telephone exchange and the post office. A competition was held to determine a name for Hazyview. This competition was well supported and the winning name “Hazyview” was submitted by Roy Hurndall. This won him a bottle of whisky.
Others who moved into the area were the families Galloti, Davina, Pavoncelli, Vos, Hearns, Brotherton and Fick. All of these people have left their mark on the development of the town and some still continue to do so.
Modern-day Hazyview is a little South African town built around the R40 (from its junction with the R538 from Numbi) to the Sabie River. It forms the hub for six roads that access the town, namely the R40 to White River, the R40 to Hoedspruit, the R535 to Graskop, the R536 to Sabie, the R538 to Numbi (and White River) and the road to the Phabeni and Paul Kruger gates into the Kruger National Park.