Bergtheil Museum extends gratitude to Westville community

THE Bergtheil Museum is grateful to the community of Westville that contributed to making the 175th celebration a success. On March 23, the museum hosted a celebration – the occasion was the celebration of the arrival of the Cotton Germans or Bergtheil settlers at Port Natal harbour – 176 years ago on March 23, 1848.

The event was attended by 170 people, many of whom are the descendants of the Cotton Germans. It would have been their great-grandparents who decided to leave Germany and start a new life in Natal, as part of Bergtheil’s cotton-planting scheme. This resulted in the development of New Germany and Westville.

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The Hermannsburg missionaries and settlers were greatly supported by the Cotton Germans in their foundation of the Hermannsburg Mission, close to Kranskop. One of the key elements of the celebration was also to acknowledge the interconnectedness of these two groups – the Cotton Germans and the Hermannsburg missionaries and settlers. Many marriages occurred between members of these two groups, and the flourishing German farming communities, with villages like New Hannover, Hermannsburg and Wartburg, bear testimony to the commitment to preserve the German language and culture and the commitment to the Christian faith. Hence the Schuetz Kinder und Jugend Chor Choir, based at Hermannsburg School, was invited to perform at the event. They put on a wonderful show of a variety of choir and solo pieces. Hermannsburg School generously provided the transport for the 60 choir members to travel to Durban.

The speakers, Stella Cockburn and Pastor Martin Buettner, told the fascinating history of the Cotton Germans and the foundation of the original New Germany church and school and Christianenburg, the first mission station, founded by the Berlin Mission with Missionary Posselt.

Extending their gratitude to the community, Christel Andersen said the eThekwini Municipality sponsored a large marquee and tables and chairs, a sound system and a delicious hot meal served to all of the 170 guests.

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“The Westville community initiative helped to prepare the Bergtheil Museum grounds days before by cutting the grass and planting flowers in the flower beds. The Bergtheil Museum staff and organising committee worked tirelessly to ensure that the event was such a great success. The Hillcrest musicians accompanied the singing of German folk songs. The day was truly a celebration of the courage of our forefathers, the legacy they left behind and the rich heritage we can share with our fellow South Africans, celebrating the diversity of people who call this province and city their home,” she said.

The day’s celebrations ended at the New Germany cemetery with a devotion led by Pastor Buettner and Pastor Paul and the singing of hymns accompanied by members of the Durban Lutheran Congregation’s brass choirs.

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