Heritage Sites & Museums << BACK <<
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| | Air Force Memorial | Irene Camp Cemetery | Porcinarium | |
| | Rooihuiskraal Historical Site | SA Mint | Smuts House | |
Air Force MemorialThe Air Force Memorial on Bays Hill overlooks the Swartkop Air Force Base, where the South African Air Force came about during 1922. The monument, symbolising flight, was erected in memory of the approximately 3000 members of the Air Force who died over the years during war and peace. The building has the shape of a triangular star and consists of three wings, one of which is a chapel for family services. The wings enfold a central memorial hall, which contains a cenotaph on a scarlet star, a list of the deceased and illuminated documents.The monument is as high as a six-storey building and was erected on a raised platform pedestal with fountains underneath the point of each wing. A garden of remembrance and an amphitheater with a seating capacity of 5000 people form a part of the surrounding grounds. The cast-iron entrance gates were previously used at the old South African Air Force memorial in Waterkloof. The memorial was opened on 1963. |
Irene Camp CemeteryThe battle of Pretoria in June 1900 started with a skirmish near Irene, upon which Lord Roberts decided to outmaneuver the defending Boers south of Pretoria by following the course of the Hennops River to approach Pretoria from the west. After this a fort was built on Irene's highest koppie, now known at Cornwall Hill, by the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. The guerrilla tactics of the Boers frustrated the British to the extent that they decided to destroy the farms of the Boers in an effort to end the war. This left many families destitute and forced the British to take care of them. Concentration camps were established, one of which was a tent near Irene where the first refugees arrived during June 1901Conditions in the camp deteriorated rapidly and by the end of 1901, 800 people had already died. The camp was later extended to the other side of the river - the second camp was known as Nylstroom. During 1902 the two camps housed and average of 4 500 men, women and children. Although peace was declared on 31 May 1902, the camps were only officially closed during 1903. More than 2000 people were allegedly buried at the camp, although the cemetery's name list only mentions 1 149 names. A name plate with a number of 2 156 was found later, but only 850 graves could be found. For this reason all 1 149 names have been inscribed on the 80 memorial tablets. |
PorcinariumThe Animal Improvement Institute of the Agriculture Research Council is situated just outside Irene and houses among others the world's only (as far as is known) pig museum or porcinarium. The museum's displays were arranged with the help of the Transvaal Museum and offer an interesting review of the origin and development of pig species in South Africa. The museum was opened in August 1996 to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of the National Pig Performance Testing Scheme. Since its opening the porcinarium has received many visitors, especially from abroad. The museum is open during the week (office hours) and for weekend visits arrangements can be made at Tel: 672 9235. |
Rooihuiskraal Historical SiteThe battle of Rooihuiskraal, which took place near the Rooihuiskraal Historical site, is viewed as one of the most crucial battles of the First Anglo Boer War. In spite of this only one British soldier was killed and 15 wounded. One of the wounded was Lieutenant Colonel Gildea, or that "Damned Colonel" as he was called by the Boers.By the end of 1880 the Transvaal Boer Forces, had surrounded important towns, which had been occupied by the British, in order to prevent the soldiers in these towns joining General George Colley's troops from Natal. The British in Pretoria were also trapped in this way and their efforts to escape were checked twice before they decided on a large exodus through Rooihuiskraal. The Boers got wind of this and took up positions behind the stone wall of the farms massive kraal. When the British arrived in large numbers the Boers started to shoot, causing great consternation. Colonel Gildea stood upright in his stirrups to motivate his men and was hit in the buttocks. The British retreated. The Boer's victory at Rooihuiskraal had a demoralising effect on the British. They could not join the Natal troops of General Colley and after these were conquered at Amajuba, the Transvaal regained its independence. The old stone kraal at Rooihuiskraal is somewhat dilapidated today, but serves as a reminder of the historical victory and was declared a national monument. A recent addition to the site is the Centurion Battle Tank which was among others used by the British in Korea in 1944. It was later acquired by South Africa, upgraded several times but is now old enough to serve as a museum piece. |
SA MintThe history of the SA Mint dates back to 1892 when Paul Kruger, president of the then South African Republic, ordered a mint press from Germany. This press, which moved with the mint from Church Square to Visagie street, is still in working order and can be seen at the museum of the SA Mint in Gateway Centurion. The Mint's very modern factory was opened in October 1992 and is still regarded as one of the most modern mints in the world. The Mint became a private company in 1988 and produces not only South African coins, but also coins for other countries such as New Zealand, Argentina and Switzerland. A museum, known as Coin World, was opened to the public during 1996 and offers an overview of the history of the Mint. It also houses a jewelry shop and is open from 09h00 to 15h30, seven days a week. Guided tours are also available, which last approximately two hours and cost R20 per person. More information may be obtained at Tel: 667 2342. |
Smuts HouseAlthough Smuts House is situated just beyond Centurion's borders, the inhabitants view it as part of Centurion. Smuts House was the dwelling of General Jan Christiaan Smuts, twice the prime minister of South Africa, soldier, philosopher, botanist and grass expert and known internationally, among others for the creation of the term "holism". Previously a mess for British officers in Middelburg, Smuts bought the house for 300 pounds in 1908 and had it transported to Irene, where it was re-erected on the farm Doornkloof. The structure was initially meant as a temporary home until a new house could be built on the koppie behind the house. The Smuts family however grew so attached to the house that they stayed there until the death of General Smuts on 11 September 1950.Today it is a museum to commemorate the life of Smuts. The museum and surrounding grounds are open to the public seven days a week. On weekdays the museum can be visited from 9h30 to 13h00 and from 13h30 to 16h30. Guided tours can be arranged by appointment. A walking trail starts from behind the house and leads to a koppie where the monument was erected to commemorate certain members of the Smuts family. Guided bird and botanic walks are arranged on a regular basis. More information may be obtained at Tel: 671 1176. |