Historian revisits Fourways’ rich past
Historian Mike Benn takes us back to when Fourways was open countryside, explains how it got its name, and recalls a time when neighbours knew each other by name.
Before the traffic circles, shopping malls, and skyline of Sandton began to stretch this far north of Johannesburg, Fourways was once open countryside, a quiet patch of farmland where cows wandered freely down to the Jukskei River and neighbours knew each other by name.
This is according to local historian Mike Benn.
Benn has long taken an interest in passing down local history to younger generations. His most recent lecture, held at Norscot Manor, focused on uncovering the true story of the historic building, how it came to be, and, despite its current neglect, why it remains one of the most significant heritage landmarks in Fourways.
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Reflecting on Fourways’ layered past, Benn explained that the name Fourways got its name from the four-way stop that once marked the intersection of Witkoppen Road and William Nicol Drive (now partially Winnie Mandela Drive)
“It was a popular meeting point for travellers heading north. That intersection became the heart of the community long before it became a commercial hub.”
Back in 1974, the area was still defined by rolling fields and working farms. “Each morning, the dairy on River Club Hill would walk their cows down to the Jukskei River. Back then, working in Rosslyn meant travelling through the old Fourways Crossing, following Witkoppen Road to the R511 north.”
Benn said one of the most enduring Fourways legacies comes from early settlers Erik and Ethel Eriksen, who played a major role in shaping northern Sandton’s suburbs.
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“After renting in Parktown, the couple travelled north in search of land. Ethel fell in love with the sweeping views of the distant Magaliesberg mountains and persuaded Erik that northern Sandton was the place to build a life.
“They purchased over 600 acres from the Van der Walt brothers, who had farmed watermelon and other crops on the property. There, the Eriksens built Norscot Manor, a striking family home that would later become a landmark and community space.”
Later, in 1982, the family donated the home and property to the Sandton municipality for community use, a thoughtful gesture that ensured Norscot Manor would continue to serve the community for generations to come. He said the manor was later honoured with a Blue Plaque Heritage status.
Benn said that the area’s transformation has been both dramatic and symbolic of greater Johannesburg’s growth.
“Sandton City, which opened in 1973, led the way in commercial development, while modern landmarks like the Sandton Convention Centre (1995), Nelson Mandela Square (2004), and Gautrain station (2010) mark the area’s evolution. Even nearby Lanseria Airport has developed into an important travel hub, contributing to the growth of new industrial and business districts.”
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