The 14th edition of Echoes of Krugersdorp, produced in partnership with the Krugersdorp Heritage Association (KHA), focuses on one of the West Rand’s oldest and most renowned high schools, the 104-year-old Hoërskool Monument High School.

According to KHA co-founder, Jaco Mattheyse, before the Anglo-Boer War (The South African War), most children were still educated at home. However, the Dutch Reformed Church had established a small school in Krugersdorp in 1890.

During the war, the school temporarily closed as the teachers were away on commando. After the war, resident JH Grundlingh started a private school in a corrugated iron building. This had originally been a British warehouse, which he repurposed after their departure. The building still exists today and is currently used by a local business in Ockerse Street.

• Also read: Echoes of Krugersdorp: Exploring Saint Peter’s Church

Later, Jaco explained that the corrugated iron building was replaced by a stone structure, and the Christelike Nasionale Onderwys Skool came into being. From this school, Monnas developed.

When compulsory education was introduced in 1907, the demand for Afrikaans-medium teaching grew rapidly. In February 1921, an Afrikaans-medium school was established in Krugersdorp, opening in the Royal George Freemasons’ Hall. The Grundlingh school had become too small, accommodating just 48 learners, an acting principal, and three teachers. The new Afrikaans school flourished, and by 1922, it had moved into an old café with an adjoining house. At this point, there were 128 learners, and the first permanent principal, Mr PWS Schumann, was appointed (1922–1938). He introduced the school’s motto: Liewe slyt as roes (better to wear out than to rust).

The early teaching staff included four teachers for subjects including German, science, mathematics and history.

“By 1922, despite the hardships of the post-First World War depression, the boys’ hostel opened on February 2 with 37 boarders. The following year, in February 1923, the Harmony Hostel for girls was established, and both operated in rented buildings.”

On September 1, 1921, the official name, Monument High School, was adopted, along with the school colours: blue, brown, and orange (the orange was later changed to gold). That same month, the school library was founded.

• Also read: Echoes of Krugersdorp: Discover the legacy of Fort Harlech

Early activities

Jaco said the school quickly developed a vibrant extracurricular life:

• 1921 – First music and singing evening, first rugby match, plus korfball and cricket
• 1922 – Debating Society founded
• 1923 – Two tennis courts built, first stage production, first student council formed
• 1924 – Cadet Corps founded

A new school building

In 1926, construction of a permanent school on Ottoplein Hill in Krugersdorp North was approved. The architect was Gerhard Moerdyk (also the architect of the Voortrekker Monument).

“He designed a building that included offices, classrooms, and a hall – all of which are still standing today in near-perfect condition. The hall, now used as the staffroom, is notable for its resemblance to the Voortrekker Monument, with striking use of window tracery and light. It also houses a beautiful Great Trek mural by Erich Mayer and the Memorial Hall frieze by René Shapshak,” Jaco said.

“The school’s distinctive terraces were laid by JJ Kelly, of Irish descent. In 1938, a hostel for girls was built, followed by a boys’ hostel in 1949. The girls’ hostel was named after Christina Pretorius, and the boys’ hostel after Hendrik Potgieter,” he added.

• Also read: A century of care: The storied history of Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital

In 1955, a large block with 21 classrooms and two home economics centres was added. In 1957, the new school hall, named after former principal ML Brink, was inaugurated. Over the decades, as the school continued to grow, additional facilities were added. These included the Varia building (opened May 30, 1986), the Koos du Toit Clubhouse (inaugurated March 17, 2006), and, more recently, new hockey fields and spectator stands.

“Monnas is steeped in rich traditions. The Paardekraal Monument was adopted as the school’s emblem, and in 2005, an exact-scale replica was erected on the school grounds. Along with it came the Bell Tradition. The Hekkie Tradition, introduced in 1988, symbolises learners entering the school as children and leaving as adults at the end of matric. Also in 1988, the matriculants gifted the school with a Time Capsule, opened every five years. Its contents always provide an entertaining glimpse into how life, costs, and fashions have changed.”

Jaco believes that one of the school’s most distinctive traditions is the Commemoration Award, presented every five years to a distinguished former learner, with recipients that include:

• 1991 – FW de Klerk
• 1996 – Prof PA Pelser
• 2001 – Prof Elize Botha
• 2006 – Prof TT Cloete
• 2011 – Esté Pienaar

Rugby

The first rugby team, the Witbulle, was founded in 1980 by GW Jorgenson, and their achievements include:

• 10-time winners of the Administrator, Directors and Beeld trophies in 1953, 1979, 1980, 1984, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2022
• Winners of the National Media24 competition in 2003
• Transvaal/ Golden Lions Macro Schools Competition champions for 25 years
• Winners of the Nupower/ Tuks University 1st team tournament in 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2018

• Also read: Echoes of Krugersdorp: Jan Lotz Sports Complex and its history

Notable Alumni

Politics

• FW de Klerk – former State President of South Africa and Nobel Prize laureate

Rugby – Springboks

• Christo Wagenaar (1977)
• Brendan Venter (1994)
• Jaque Fourie (2003)
• Jorrie Muller (2003)
• Heinke van der Merwe (2007)
• Willem Alberts (2010)
• Jaco Taute (2013)
• Ruan Dreyer (2016)
• Julian Redelinghuys (2016)

Rugby – international players

• Gert Peens – Italy (capped 2002)
• Quintin Geldenhuys – Italy (capped 2010)
• Paul Willemse – France
• Jaco van der Walt – Edinburgh and Scotland
• Nathan McBeth – Glasgow and Scotland

“Monument High School has earned a reputation as one of South Africa’s leading producers of professional rugby players, standing alongside elite rugby schools such as Grey College, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Bishops College and Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool,” Jaco concluded.