THE HISTORY OF GROENVLEI

The quiet and peaceful Groenvlei ("Green Marsh") of today was known as Helhoek (Hell's Corner) in days gone by. The reason for such an unusual name will become evident as you read a bit of the history.

Johann's grandfather, P.J.A. (Abie) van Heerden, bought Groenvlei in 1948 for the sum of £30100 from the Grobbelaar family. The Grobbelaars having owned the farm for about 140 years. We still today have original Title Deeds that date back to 1837 in favour of the Grobbelaars. Their cemetery is situated near the Lucerne shed amongst the cypress and pine trees.

Although the last owner Koos Grobbelaar was known to be a good farmer, alcohol became his downfall. He and his wife Maria had four sons and three daughters, the sons also became alcoholics. The boys were named after famous Generals: the eldest being called Kruger (Paul Kruger) who lived on Groenvlei with his parents. The second was nicknamed Wilde Boy, (named after the French General De Villa  Bois) who lived at De Tuin ("The Garden"), which now is part of Krugerskraal. Ruins of the homestead can still be seen along the De Tuin hiking trail. The third son, Gilbert (named after the British General Gilbert of World War I fame) had his home at Muishoek ("Mouse Corner"). The youngest son Eloff or "Loffy" (named after "Generaal " Eloff) apparently did not stay on Groenvlei permanently and died recently (1987) in an old age home in Graaff-Reinet

Many fights were had between the boys and differences were settled through the barrel of a gun. The Justice of Peace was called out many times to stop the "fight". Amazingly enough, they never hit each other in their drunken state. Legend has it that Wilde Boy's wife had to on more than one occasion fire a shot at him with a shotgun in self-defence. Apparently Kruger's wife also took a pot-shot at him in self defence which left him mentally retarded and he eventually died. Ballistics at the time identified the weapon as a 6.35mm calibre pistol and the case was never closed because they could not find the "murder weapon". Fifty years later the rusted remains of a 6.35mm Walther Browning (in the display cabinet) was found whilst cleaning the fountain dam.

Maybe the most bizarre story of them all is the one of Gilbert shooting at his wife who had to spend a cold and freezing winter's night on top of a windmill platform with old Koos Grobbelaar's only baby grandson. The next morning she walked bare foot in the frost to the neighbour, Herklaas Enslin at Enslinsrust for help. Old man Enslin was a kind hearted man who felt deeply sorry for this woman and gave her money, bought her a train ticket and put her and her baby boy on the train to the Transvaal to get away from her crazy family.

One Sunday afternoon in 1995 a Gent and his wife pulled up at our front door and introduced himself as Koos Grobbelaar and that, other than this being their old family farm, his mother did not tell him much about the Grobbelaars. Neither did we.

Koos Grobbelaar would get his supply of alcohol (case of brandy) delivered at his doorstep twice a week by the Railway bus which in those days used to pass Groenvlei's homestead, before the new road was made up the hill. His sons would then "hijack" the bus before delivering old Koos's liquor, to get their share. Koos Grobbelaar died in 1946 and his Testament stated that the farm be sold after his wife's death. Maria Grobbelaar died in 1948 and her grave to this day has no tombstone. Although she was a sickly woman at the time of her husband's death, her alcoholic sons were very unsympathetic. In their drunken state they repeatedly asked her, on her sick bed, when she intended dying so that the farm could be sold for them to get their hands on the proceeds.

By now I am sure you will agree that Groenvlei was the Capital of a real "Helhoek". When Abie van Heerden bought Groenvlei it was understandably very neglected. Although he was already 53 years of age they got stuck in and with extreme hard work managed to virtually re-construct the whole farm over a period of approximately ten years. The fruits of their efforts are clearly visible when one studies the big aerial photo in the lounge of the guesthouse. At the time when Abie van Heerden bought Groenvlei, De Tuin was not included in the deal although it was part of the Grobbelaar empire. Kota du Toit, owner of Krugerskraal at the time, bought this 1 200 Ha. piece of land. On Friday, April 13th 1984 Johann bought Krugerskraal, which included De Tuin, and so at last the original Groenvlei became a unit again.

The farm Doornberg ("Thorn Mountain"), just outside Nieu-Bethesda, is really the old Van Heerden family farm and, although Abie and his brother Peetsie were the best of business partners, realized that they could not expect the same from their sons. This is the reason for him buying Groenvlei. Plagued by old rugby injuries, and walking with the aid of a walking stick, Abie van Heerden explored the 4 084 morgen of Groenvlei for many hours during the summer of 1948 before the farm sale. The piece of land known as Witkop ("White Head") was part of Doornberg and was part-payment in the settlement between the Van Heerden brothers and today also belongs to Groenvlei.

Abie and Molly (nee Fichardt) van Heerden had three children. Joey the eldest, who is Johann's mother, a son Braham, died of cancer in his early thirties and the youngest Edna, was killed in a car accident when she was in her middle twenties. Abie passed away in 1971, leaving the farm to his only surviving child, Joey. Molly, who in her lifetime buried six of her eight brother and sisters, two of her children and her husband, died in 1995 at the age of 87. All the Van Heerdens except Johann's mom, who is still alive, are buried in the cemetery off the entranceway.

Johann grew up in the Loxton area where his father still farms on the Minnaar family farm, Slangfontein, which has been in their family since 1864. All the Van Heerdens are buried in the cemetry, with a memorial stone, in memory of his mother, who died in September 2006. Our son, Johnny, is the fourth Johannes Jacobus Minnaar and is named after his grandfather, Johnny (Johann's dad). Believe it or not, but Johnny Jnr, was born on his Grandfather's Birthday, namely 17 September. In 1983 Johann moved to Groenvlei permanently and married Lynne from Somerset East in 1986. Lynne the eldest of Theo and Nancy's five children grew up on the Schneider family farm, Kaboega, near Kommadagga. The Schneiders being an old and well known family in that area.

We decided to challenge life without a manager after our marriage. The house you are staying in was the manager's home and after standing vacant for three years Lynne came up with the idea to turn it into a guest house. Johann was not very keen on his wife's new venture, but supported her anyway. In 1989 we had our first visitors. What a job it was carrying down furniture, crockery, and linen every time we had a booking! Alterations were continuously made since then and will hopefully end one day. Escom power came at the end of 1992, so there was electricity 24 hours a day that was a new way of life for us. Slowly, but surely, we are growing with the help of tolerant guests and their suggestions!

Of course life without a manager is hectic, so we hope you experience the peacefulness and tranquillity of the Karoo, that the farmer and his wife can't! Abie van Heerden had his son and a manager to help him with the farming operations at Groenvlei, whereas we now have double the size of farmland and a guesthouse to run. Life can understandably become a little hectic at times, but we trust that you won't even notice it!

Incidentally, the crest or coat of arms that appear on the pamphlets, entrance gate, wallpaper, etc., is that of the Van Heerden family.

This is our trademark we use in honour of their memory and pay tribute to all their efforts in beautifying Groenvlei.

Enjoy your stay at GROENVLEI!

JOHANN and LYNNE MINNAAR