Zandvlei Trust

ZIMP – History

Andy van der Merwe from Lakeside

photograph by Andy van der Merwe

Andy van der Merwe was born in 1923 in this house his father built. There were 3 houses on the vlei side of the Main Road in this photograph. 

His father also built the Kommetjie Hotel in about 1923 he remembers being told. Andy took these photos when he was about 18 years old.
He inherited an old bellows organ his father bought for 7 pounds in the late 1920's.

He remembers the Hendricks farm at Lakeside, when he was a child. Wheat fields, peas and a variety of  vegetables all grew between Main Road and the mountainside, the area bounded by Boyes Drive, Main Road and Approach Road. He used to help the farmer pick peas for pocket money as a boy. Dairy cows were also kept on the farm.

The position of the family house was opposite the Total Garage, on the vlei side of the Main Road. These houses were demolished.

photograph by Andy van der Merwe

These grand houses as they were remembered are at the end of present day Rutter Road showing the large clear deep water body.