Recognition for those who preserve history
The event was also graced by a top military man.
The Heidelberg Heritage Association had the privilege of hosting Brigadier General Dr Gerhard Kamffer at the Old Jail in Heidelberg on November 9.
Kamffer spoke to guests about the history of the various military commandos in South Africa. Kamffer was born in Balfour, where he also grew up on a farm.
He matriculated in 1972 and did his national service in 1973 at 4SAI in Middelburg.
Kamffer studied at Potchefstroom University where he obtained his BA (Hons) and PhD.
In 1988, he was appointed as the commanding officer of Heidelberg Commando. He also served in various roles in the SANDF from 2002 to 2006 and then in the reserve forces.
Kamffer has a deep interest in the history of Heidelberg and has spent the past 40 years collecting artefacts. He has also written well-researched articles for newspapers and magazines.
After the informative talk, the association handed out awards in recognition of those who furthered the heritage cause in Heidelberg.
Tony Burisch and Pierre de Kock of the Heidelberg Heritage Association presented awards to Dr Willie Pretorius, Dr Coenie Momberg, Ian Uys and Kamffer.
Willie Pretorius, BA (Hons) History was a teacher and trained school choirs and cadet bands. In 2000, he retired after 38 years of education and continued his studies in history.
Being passionate about Heidelberg, Pretorius reworked the nine war diaries of Marthinus Jacobus Viljoen and his brother Ouboet in 2010 and wrote the book Perre toe – Wekroep aan die Heidelberg Kommando tot optrede. In 2022 he wrote another book, Piet Retief Viljoen 1853 – 1926 – Mynkommesaris, veggeneral, regeringsamptenaar, bittereinder, boer to complete the Viljoen history linked to Heidelberg.
He further wrote various articles for newspapers on the history of Heidelberg.
Adele Momberg received the award posthumously on behalf of her late husband, Coenie Momberg: Coenie was the superintendent of the Heidelberg Hospital for several years before he opened a medical practice in 2003.
He was passionate about history and was a chairperson of the Heidelberg Historical Association.
Coenie had various documentation on Heidelberg’s history. After his passing Adele kept the documentation and allowed the Heritage Association to digitise the documents.
Cheryl Uys-Allie, received the award posthumously on behalf of her late father, Ian Uys: He was a member of the Heidelberg Commando and wrote two books, Heidelbergers of the Boer War and Fight to the Bitter End.
