GALLERY: Barber shop a rugby kingdom
NEWLANDS – Bennie's Barber Shop has become the platform of rugby discussions in Newlands.
A passion and support for rugby has inspired a barber in Newlands to gather as much related paraphernalia as he could over the past four decades.
Bennie Botes boasts vast collections that he has preserved in his barber shop, Beanie’s Barber Shop, in Palm Centre – from sport’s books, blazers, autographed T-shirts, caps, photos, team flags, balls of different sizes and scarfs all hung on the wall.
Bennie’s Barber Shop has been a platform for rugby discussions. “I have many rugby collections as [far back as] from 1880 that were donated by various people, and some of the springbok players – I used to cut their hair,” Botes claimed. Botes has established and maintained a relationship with many rugby players throughout the years.
Botes’ friend Louis Grobler said the rugby paraphernalia kept in the shop was significant for educating rugby fans about the sport. “People come here to discuss rugby. This place is like an emporium where valuable rugby paraphernalia is kept better than anywhere in the country,” he said.
He invited residents interested in rugby, in anticipation of the World Cup which will commence in September, to visit the shop and learn the past and present of the sport. “This place is so unique. We are very proactive in imparting the knowledge of the game,” he explained.
He concluded that residents were welcome to donate any rugby paraphernalia they like to give away. “Residents can even bring their children. The knowledge we discuss here is immense and we do it for the love of sports,” he said.
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