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Gauteng Rich with Traditions and Cultures

By Sandra Olivier

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Published: 09Jul2009
Word count: 801
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Who would believe that the smallest and most industrialised of all South Africa's provinces contains such a collection of traditional and cultural homesteads?! From turn of the century Voortrekker white and coloured farmsteads to colourful Ndebele, Zulu huts to Credo Mutwa's garden of mythical African figures - there is certainly a homestead for just about every filming requirement.

Of interest in Johannesburg are various historic farmsteads including the Driefontein Farmhouse built in 1906, which can be found on Olympia Road in Parkmore, and the original Emmarentia farmhouse on Greenhill Road in Emmarentia. Filming often takes place on the well known Nash's Farm in the Cradle of Humankind, where there are various rural locations including an old Transvaal farmhouse setting, and Lesedi is often used for African cultural locations.

The location highlight has to be the Onverwacht settlement. Onverwacht's fascinating history is reflected in its many old, welcoming and well kept plots. Situated North East of Cullinan, it was occupied by descendants from freed Malay slaves who arrived with the Malan "na-trek" in 1857. They inter-married mainly Pedi people, who now call themselves Black Afrikaners and consider their land "bloedgrond" given to them by President Paul Kruger for their assistance during the Anglo Boer War.

There is a big old church, the Verenigde Gereformeerde Kerk of Onverwacht, replete with an old church bell mounted on four poles at the entrance to the church yard. The settlement includes a cemetery, a plethora of donkey carts, old stone houses and plots surrounded by stone walls containing vegetable gardens, vines and fruit trees.

Gauteng is the hub of South Africa's film industry and it's not surprising taking into account the number of hidden historic gems to be found - all in close proximity to main centres.

19th century farmsteads: The Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum features an 1880 farmstead furnished with late Victorian furniture, a working outside oven, blacksmith's shop, dairy, water mill and peach brandy still. Various domestic animals roam around while live demonstrations of traditional farming activities, such as baking bread, making butter, shearing sheep and distilling peach brandy continue. The museum is situated at Rayton, ten kilometres from Cullinan. The Diepkloof Farm Museum, situated in the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, is an old farmhouse built in 1850 that has been restored to its former beauty.

The Diepkloof farm was built by JG Marais, one of the first trekkers to farm in the Highveld in the 1800s. Vintage furniture and personal belongings give insight into another time. The sheep, cows and geese add to the farmyard atmosphere.

Pioneer Museum, in Silverton, Pretoria, is an open-air museum and pays homage to the Voortrekker lifestyle. David Botha, a Cape farmer who migrated first to Natal and then to Ohrigstad in the Northern Transvaal, built the original pioneer dwelling and outbuildings on the premises of what is today known as the Pioneer Museum in Silverton in 1848.

Demonstrations of traditional farming activities include milking cows, making butter, baking bread and grinding coffee beans. The house is a t-shaped dwelling with a thatched roof, dung smeared floor and pioneer furniture dating from 1848 with outside oven and outbuildings. A tanning pit, wagon shed, water furrow, threshing floor, water mill, animals, and duck pond can be seen.

Victorian homesteads: The Sammy Marks Museum - Just outside Pretoria is the home of wealthy entrepreneur and good friend of President Paul Kruger, Sammy Marks. Sammy Marks' last will stated that nothing could be changed in his house for three generations after his death. His wish was fulfilled and today his home holds the distinction of being the only Victorian museum with an authentic interior.

Designed by the London Architect WT Wale in 1886, Melrose House in Pretoria is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture. During the Second Anglo-Boer War, Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener used the house as their headquarters. Today, the Melrose House Museum is a national monument.

Indigenous African cultural homesteads: The Mapoch Ndebele Traditional Village is home to a group of Ndebele people who still adhere to the old way of life and belong to the Msiza family. The Ndebele are well known for their artistic abilities and the intricate designs and blends of gay colours that adorn their walls and clothing. This 'living' cultural village is situated opposite the Loopspruit Wine Estate near KwaMhlanga, north of Bronkhorstpruit.

Two locations offer glimpses into traditional Zulu lifestyles. The Sibaya Zulu Boma Cultural Village situated on Main Road, Kyalami provides visitors with an authentic Zulu experience. At the Voortrekker Monument outside Pretoria there is a medium size Zulu hut. It is a replica of the huts built during the reconstruction of a section of the Royal Capital of Umgungundlovu during the 1980s. Characteristic of the traditional hut is its beehive-style construction. The hut is typical of the dwellings found in the then Zululand.

The Gauteng Film Commission aims to be a leader in the film and television industry through harnessing Gauteng's outstanding industry infrastructure, recognised technical and creative expertise and unique wide-ranging locations.

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