Founding members honoured

Everyone is familiar with the Portuguese Hall on the corner of Nita Street and Mandela Road.

This club has a rich history that started 42 years ago when seven young Portuguese citizens decided to start a Portuguese club.

Of the seven, only one is still alive today.

On June 10 the the Associação Da Colónia Portuguesa De Witbank (ACPW) management honoured Mr Jorge Marques for the initiative he and his six friends took all those years ago.

Mr Carlos Coimbra, president of the Associação Da Colónia Portuguesa De Witbank and Mr Jorge Marques, one of the founding members.

Jorge picked up the story and said he was working at Barclays Bank when he first came to the then Witbank back in 1966.

He took a few steps back into memory lane and said,

“Myself, Baptista Cerejeira, Fernando Verissimo, Isabel Morais, Joao Pereira, Manuel dos Anjos and Mario Vieira got together in an old workshop in Main Street back in 1974.”

From there the group moved to the little white building next to the Catholic Church and eventually ended up getting together in a small venue at the old Dat Centre.

“We approached the town council and they agreed to rent the piece of land the ACPW is on now to us for a period of 99 years.”

Mr Jorge Marques is one of the founding members of the Associação Da Colónia Portuguesa De Witbank.

It was a proud moment when Jorge unveiled a plaque, remembering the seven founding members, in the entrance of the hall of the club.

“It is extremely emotional to stand here tonight and be part of something that is so huge. We could never have imagined that this club would be as successful as it is. To everyone who played a part in the club’s history, I thank you for keeping our dream alive.”

Mr Carlos Coimbra, president of the ACPW said he is so honoured to have Jorge and his lovely wife, Adele at his table.

The night was celebrated with good music, delicious Portuguese cuisine and taking steps back into the history of this very well-known club.