Former gold mine rich in history
In no time Rod Kruger captivated the group of about ten visitors.
With an immense passion for history and gold mines, it’s no wonder nature lovers with a hunger for knowledge turn to local historian, Rod Kruger to satisfy their appetite.
On Sunday, September 26 members of the community gathered at the Kloofendal Nature Reserve for an exciting Gold Mine Tour hosted by the informed and enthusiastic Rod.
In no time he captivated the group of about ten visitors. Deeply fascinated they followed him around as he talked about the reserve in pre-historic times, to whom the land belonged in the 1880s up until now, and of course the history of mining in the Reserve.
He explained that the Kloofendal Nature Reserve formed part of what was once the farm Wilgespruit. The land was demarcated by early Voortrekkers and sold to Ruaan Dirk Cornellius Geldenhuys and his wife, Eliza Soffia, who also were Voortrekkers from the Cape.
Their son Louw and his wife, Emmarentia Geldenhuys inherited the farm. After visiting the Lowveld goldfields Louw suspected that there might be gold on Wilgespruit too. He contacted the Struben brothers, Fred and Harry, who had some experience in prospecting. Fred investigated the area from Sterkfontein to Germiston and found numerous indications of gold deposits.
The best ones were at Wilgespruit, in the hills above the farmstead at Little Falls. After moving to Wilgespruit years later, Fred and Harry dug deep mines in Kloofendal by hammer-drilling and blasting, then clearing by pick and shovel. They called the area ‘Confidence Reef’ because they believed they would find large gold deposits.
… But the gold didn’t last.
If you are intrigued and would like to know why, don’t miss Rod’s next Gold Mine Tour expected to take place on Sunday, October 3 at the reserve from 14:00 until 16:00.
“I quite enjoy educating the people who come to visit the reserve. It is our duty to look after this beautiful gem and to make sure that its history is known and appreciated. I’m looking forward to telling the next group of the rich history of this piece of land,” Rod concluded.
