Senwes Scenario February / March 2016 | Page 12

••• •• •• A REA F OC U S Kroonstad Silo with its separate workhouse is one of only four Keeve Steyn silos in die Senwes stable. The Senwes Village Hinterland branch in Kroonstad. the area. Another well-known figure, Max du Preez, is also a Kroonstad export product and the business world’s Brand Pretorius matriculated in Kroonstad. Danie Minnaar, Chairman of the Senwes Board of Directors, and Dries Kruger, Chairman of the Senwesbel Board of Directors, are both from this area. The statue of Sarel Cilliers. The stunning old NG Church. 10 PRODUCERS FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL The Geldenhuyse and Jordaans were Afrikaner cattle farmers in the middle of the previous century and the Wessels’ were large Merino sheep farmers. At the moment the Crous Brothers are busy making name in the area, as reported upon elsewhere in this edition of Scenario. ARCHITECTURE Sir Herbert Baker was the architect of the post office, town hall and Standard Bank buildings. He was also responsible for the design of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Historical churches in the area include the old Dutch Reformed church which was used as a hospital for the British soldiers during the Anglo-Boer War. The Dutch Reformed Churches North and Feb/Mar 2016 • SENWES Scenario South, as well as the St John’s Methodist Church, are also beautiful buildings, to mention but a few. Sarel Cilliers also played a role in this town and a statue was erected in his honour at the old Dutch Reformed church. The concentration camp cemetery, where tribute is paid to 1 288 people who lost their lives in the concentration camps, is of great historical value. CONCLUSION Kroonstad is without a doubt a unique and valuable precious stone. It adjusts and moves with the times. Should you happen to enter Kroonstad via the backdoor, where certain areas have been falling into disrepair and where you have to find your way through a myriad of road works, please remind yourself that this area and its people are invaluable. The best diamonds come from areas where the pressure is the highest. NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE US, O PRECIOUS STONE! • Interesting facts: There is a region named Kronstad in Årstad, Norway. A municipal area in St Petersburg, Russia, is also named Kronstadt.