Benoni Bygones: When Henderson’s put its farewell suit on
Henderson’s became a very popular store in Benoni and many people had a lot of good comments and fond memories of it.
The City Times is proud to revive a monthly history piece compiled by local history
enthusiast Glynis Cox Millett-Clay, which she has named Benoni Bygones.
Born in Ireland, Robert Hugh Henderson came to South Africa on the Garth Castle shipping line in 1884.
In 1888 he opened business in Kimberley called RH Henderson Ltd.
He married Sarah Matilda Warwick on June 8, 1892, and became mayor of Kimberley in 1899, during the South African War, and again in 1903.
Robert, who was a close friend of Cecil John Rhodes, opened the first Henderson’s store in Boksburg and became the pioneer and founder of these very popular clothing stores, branches of which were established throughout the country.
The Benoni branch, at 67 Prince’s Avenue, was taken over by Robert’s brother, Edwin Oliver Henderson.
Edwin was also born in Ireland, on May 14, 1877.
In 1898, at the age of 17, he went to America and fought in the Spanish-American war before coming to South Africa in 1899 and staying until 1911 when he returned to Ireland.
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Edwin married Edith Caroline and came back to South Africa with his new bride to settle.
His first task was to knock out the wall between two smaller shops to establish one of the first clothing, drapery and haberdashery stores in Benoni.
The branch was opened in 1915 and in 1930 a second floor was added to the Benoni store.
In 1961, when Edwin died, his son Brian Henderson took over the family business.
Henderson’s became a very popular store in Benoni and many people had a lot of good comments and fond memories of it.
It was a store that held an account system, was popular in school uniforms and even had the old fashioned “zip line” cash payment facility.
Its friendly service and helpful staff was met by all customers.
The Benoni branch closed its doors in July 1972 after 57 years of service to the community – a chapter of Benoni’s history that would not be forgotten.
The building was then occupied by Edgars, another clothing store, and when it moved to the corner of Rothsay Street and Prince’s Avenue, Foschini took over the building.
At a farewell party given for staff the last week of July 1972, Brian said it was a sad moment to see the store close its doors, that they had enjoyed their time running the business and that the Benoni public was very pleasant to deal with.
Two members of staff found it difficult to take their leave of Henderson’s – H Addison, the manager who joined in 1935, and M Verster, who joined in 1958.
Henderson’s will always have a special place in someone’s heart and, in modern times, the building will go through further renovations and occupancy.
(Source: BCT and Oosrandse Nuus dated August 4, 1972/story by Glynis Cox Millett-Clay March 8, 2025).
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