Heidelberg Celebrates New Blue Plaque Heritage Site: Bezuidenhout’s De Rust Mansion

The Heidelberg Heritage Association continues to honour significant local landmarks, this time bestowing the coveted blue plaque on the Bezuidenhout’s De Rust Mansion. Tony Burisch, a representative of the Association, made the presentation on May 26.

The mansion, located on the R42, Meyerton Road, carries a deep historical significance, being a testament to the legacy of the Bezuidenhout family, especially Frederick Jacobus Bezuidenhout. Born in Middelburg/Transvaal on July 20, 1851, and deceased on February 14, 1924, Bezuidenhout, together with his wife, Wilhelmina Christina Johanna Meyer, were prominent figures in the community. The couple, who had six children, commissioned architect CA Meischke to design their family home.

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Bezuidenhout was a pioneer of Heidelberg, contributing generously to the church in 1869 with a donation of Holy Communion silverware. Additionally, the Bezuidenhouts gifted a parcel of land for the establishment of a school, which is now known as Laer Volkskool.

Family member Lydia Minaar Bezuidenhout, a former student of the school, nostalgically recalls the days when Steven Eyssen was the principal and was succeeded by JP Malan. She reminisced about participating in Eisteddfods and performing solos as a member of the Orpheum Choir.

The Bezuidenhout legacy extended to Johannesburg when Frederick Jacobus Bezuidenhout Jr moved there, initially settling in Braamfontein before acquiring farms in Doornfontein, Turffontein, Bezuidenhout Valley, and Judith Paarl. Bezuidenhout Valley was named after the family, as was Judith Paarl, which was named after Bezuidenhout Jr’s wife, Judith Cornelia Etresia Viljoen.

Another Bezuidenhout family member, WWJJ Bezuidenhout, served the Heidelberg community as a member of the Union House of Assembly and as the chairperson of the SA Party in Heidelberg.

Remarkably, the De Rust Mansion remains in the Bezuidenhout family, with the blue plaque sponsored by Minnaar, neé Bezuidenhout. The Bezuidenhout family expressed their gratitude to all who were instrumental in making the blue plaque presentation possible.

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Source: Heidelberg gets another blue plaque heritage site

Picture: @De Rust Gastehuis / Facebook