One of Springs’ oldest families, the McCombs, have opened their hearts to share a heritage spanning more than a century.

Their story, featuring engineers, teachers, miners, and community builders, is being shared by Lorraine Sweeting and her daughter Leigh-Ann Bentley as a tribute to Lorraine’s late mother, Pamela Ann Wishart, who passed away this month at the age of 87.

The story begins with Christopher Marshall McComb, born in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, who met Blanch Mowell O’Daly. The McComb family originally hails from the United Kingdom.

Christopher McComb achieved prestigious status in Springs, serving as the town’s first engineer from January 1, 1913. A water plant was once named after him before being changed to the Ancor Wastewater Treatment Plant. Two streets, Christopher Road and McComb Road, in Selcourt and Selection Park, also bear his name.

Christopher’s daughter, Daphane, was born in Butterworth. She became a journalist and ballroom dance teacher, later moving to Springs with her parents. She married John Peter Breton, the underground manager at Grootvlei Mine, and together they had two children: Pamela Ann Nowell and Peter.

Pamela Ann married Gerald Wishart. She worked as a nursery school teacher in Dersley in her youth and later became a nurse in Durban from 1990 until 2002, when she moved to the UK with her daughter.

Gerald Wishart worked as a quality controller at Pilkington Glassware in Pollak Park. Pamela Ann returned to Springs in 2019 and became an active member of the Springs Senior Citizen Club until her passing.

Lorraine Sweeting explained that sharing their family’s story was a tribute to her mother, who witnessed five generations of their lineage.

“My mother was a beautiful person with a huge heart. She participated in the senior club’s crocheting group, making blankets, and she collected clothes that were donated to orphanages,” Lorraine said.

Lorraine added that her mother was related to Beverley du Toit, the wife of ward councillor Mike du Toit.

“Our family continues to grow, and the family I married into is also among the oldest in town. It highlights the rich history of Springs, and it’s up to us to preserve and share it for future generations,” she said.

Family tree of Wishart:

• Pamela Ann Nowell Wishart, Gerald Wishart (two children)
• Lorraine Sweeting, George Sweeting (divorced, two children)
• Leigh-Ann Bentley, Warren Bentley (four children)
• Phillipa Sweeting, Tiago Pretorius (one child)
• Kiana Pretorius

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