Community Development Worker Robert Kaptein and DA PR Councillor of the area, Gerhard Kruger made an interesting discovery just off a dirt road near the silos.
There they found an old and hidden graveyard.
Shortly after the discovery, they notified the Herald and the investigation began. Robert, Gerhard, and the Herald then set off on a journey in Gerhard’s car to survey the area.
Where the tar road ended they went onto a dirt road towards the silos and over the train tracks. The bakkie finally came to a halt but the graveyard was nowhere in sight. On closer inspection the team saw the more or less 80 graves.
One could see the graveyard used to be fenced. The grass between the graves and in some places on the graves had been burnt recently.
It is believed the marked graves date back to the early to mid 20th century. Some of the birth dates date back to the 19th century. The graveyard itself could be around 100 years old as some of the unmarked graves could be older than the marked ones.
Despite the age of the graves and tombstones, they are of such a good workmanship that some still stand and the engravings can still be read.
Some of the inscriptions on the tombstones are in Dutch. Gerhard noted that it is interesting that the tombstones were engraved with lyrics from Christian songs and not Bible verses as in current times.
He also expressed concern about the graveyard being so hidden, it might be bulldozed should the area be developed.
Gerhard told Roy Harris, a well-known local businessman and ward councillor in Randfontein about the discovery.
He said, “The only thing we know is there used to be a farm there. At that stage, that particular area was not part of the Randfontein Municipality.”
If anybody has more information about the graveyard or would like to get involved in solving the mystery, contact Gerhard Kruger on 083 233 4234 or the Herald on 011 693 3671, alternatively on 073 596 0753 (after hours).
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Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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