Elsenburg, Muldersvlei Road
Address
Muldersvlei Road
Date Built
Suggested Grading
II
Property Number
Present NHRA protection
S27
Older than 60 years - at time of survey
yes
Description
A U-shaped homestead set within a rectangular werf, comprising barn-like structures of various ages (some modern student residence structures), and with a very fine walled mill stream and mill to the south. A bell tower is also located within the werf space. The entire werf is set on a gentle rise of the Klapmuts peak, facing southwards over the rolling farmland. To the east of the historic werf are several working, agricultural structures, some being Victorian and Cape Revival / Edwardian in age and style. To the west is the academic campus, with some notable buildings, including the Cape Revival structures.
Details
Valley
Krom River- Valley (A01-A16)
Area
Krom River- Central Rolling Hills Area (A01-A10)
Landscape Unit
A09
Townscape
Landscape Unit Grade
Grade II
Architect / Builder
Current Use
Stellenbosch University Department of Agriculture
Original Use
Agricultural werf
General Evaluation
Interior Description
History
Granted to Samuel Elsevier, Secunde, in 1698. Martin Melck took ownership in 1752, and he constructed the main house. In 1898 the site was first used as an Agricultural training college - the first of its kind in South Africa.
Grouping with other sites
Evidence of Demolition
Yes - the front door was remained by Herbert Baker in the late 19th century, and the house was gutted by fire in 1916.
Contextual Design
The werf, although altered, remains an extremely fine example, retaining its form, edging elements and its overall sense of place.
Invasive Elements
Institutional structures
Heritage Vulnerability
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Map
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Latitude/Longitude
-33.85551274 / 18.83655113
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Additional Information
Additional Documents
Survey
2016
Circa
Admin Area
Allotment
Zoning
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Date of survey
2016
Linked to erf/erven
Linked Address
Environment
Valley PDF
AREA PDF
Landscape Unit PDF
Townscape PDF
2016 Survey Document - Site PDF
OTHER DOCUMENTS
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NHRA Significance
Age
Archaeology
Architectural
Associational
Intangible
* SCALE USED: High / Medium / Low / None
Rarity
Representivity
Scientific
Symbolic
Statement of Significance
While altered, this remains one of the finest werf spaces in the Cape. The site has a high degree of historical significance, being a buiteposte site because of its natural pasture lands used for herding by the first inhabitants (early stone age tools has been recorded), and then being associated with people of significance at the Cape in the fields of agriculture and architecture. This is the site where the wine varietal, Pinotage, was first developed, and therefore has high scientific significance related to this, and similar achievements. The site retains significance as an agricultural college with a 100 year history, and has high architectural, contextual and scenic significance as a layered and complex werf, and campus space. The site is a proclaimed National Monument, and remains deserving of its PHS status.
Landscape Significance
There are some mature oaks within the werf, but the primary landscape element is the extremely fine, walled mill race that defines the one edge of the werf. There are additionally some very old orchards on the site.
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Additional Photos
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