The roots of Westville’s historic tree

FROM the earliest years, the infant colony of Natal depended on transport for its development.

One of the first, and most important route, was the road from Durban into the interior.

Part of this old wagon route, known as the Old Main Road, still survives. The portion in Westville is today Jan Hofmeyr Road and that in Pinetown Josiah Gumede Road. Sections can also be found in the Upper Highway area as it wends its way towards Pietermaritzburg.

Before the opening of the railway line to Pietermaritzburg in 1880 – it only reached the ‘Natal’ border in 1891 and goods were delivered by wagons drawn by oxen.

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The life of a wagon driver was tough and uncomfortable.

Eliza Feilden, who lived on the farm Feniscowles in Umbilo in the mid 1850s, complained of the weary journey between Pinetown and Durban: it took five and a half hours to cover the 12 miles on a hot day.

The trek to Pietermaritzburg took two days, with the wagons starting out at first light and arriving only the following evening.

Tree declared a national monument

The Westville stretch of the road is rather special. On the corner of Jan Hofmeyr and the appropriately-named Outspan Road is a wild fig tree (Ficus natalensis).

This once massive tree was the first outspan for the wagons after they had left Durban.

Close to the Palmiet River, the oxen could be unyoked and rested.

In 1937, the tree was declared a National Monument.

The tree standing there today is an offshoot of the original tree. Due to its proximity to the power lines, it is frequently pruned, diminishing its once majestic size.

Four local schools incorporate the tree into their badges*. The reason behind this was the establishment of Westville’s first permanent school on the nearby smallholding of the Bernard family in 1941.

This small school initially only went up to Std 6 (Grade 8).

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Westville’s growth in the 1950s was so rapid that three new schools were built: Westville Senior Primary (1957), Westville Junior Primary (1960) and Westville Girls’ High (1964).

Westville Boys’ High remains on the original site with one frontage on Jan Hofmeyr Road.

As all four schools have a shared origin, they all feature the Outspan Tree on their badges.

Since Westville High School was originally a co-ed school, both the Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools have the same badge and motto. In addition, one of the houses at the Boys’ High is named Outspan.

Lest there be any doubt as to the significance of this tree, the Westville Bowls Club (founded 1949) has on its emblem the Outspan Tree with two wagons in front of it.

It is a reminder that the Old Main Road with its regular outspans was once the lifeblood of the colony.

For good reason this historic tree was declared a National Monument – and before either a school or club had been founded.

* The badge of both Westville Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools

* Westville Senior Primary badge

* Westville Junior Primary badge

* The Westville Bowls Club