The historical Krugersdorp Club opens its doors to new members

During the 1890s, Doctors Steward and Van der Merwe closed up their practice at noon every day, which wasn’t all that unusual for the time, and made their way up the street to a towering tree on a grassy plain. Here they lounged in the shade and sipped their daily brew. But as the town’s population steadily grew, the two realised they couldn’t keep drinking in public as they had been. This is when the Krugersdorp Gentleman’s Club was founded. The tree still stands today, although it’s behind a closed gate across the road from the club.

The club quickly grew in numbers and popularity, and its boardroom was even used by President Paul Kruger on occasion, when he travelled through the town.

The boardroom is still in near pristine condition, with very little having changed over the years. Throughout the entire club you’d find the original wooden floors, wooden bar and pressed steel ceilings. Even the ceilings have an interesting history – before South Africa’s independence from England, British soldiers asked permission from the Queen to join and drink at the Krugersdorp Club. Each of the four ceiling designs represent one of the colonies during the time.

The club is currently reaching out to find new members, looking to boost its member count from 80 to a few hundred. Yearly fees are only R360 per person, and half of that for pensioners. Members congregate in the halls on a daily basis for a drink or two, and delicious homemade food at very low prices.

People can visit the Krugersdorp Club up to three times to get a feel for the space before having to sign up as a member. After the recent remodelling, the club is planning an official opening night where a few former national rugby players will be present. The day will be open to the public, and applications will be accepted.

For further information, call the club’s chairperson, Gary Stacey, on 079 882 3084.