Rietbron

 village  Add category

 Upload a photo

The first impressions of Rietbron is that it is an abandoned, dilapidated old Karoo town.

Different types of architectural styles can be seen. Gables homes with the flat Karoo architecture. Many houses, three-room, was originally built for nagmaalnaweke.
Less than 20 houses are currently occupied permanently. The NG Church in Rietbron is the only church in Sa with a Sprinkbok on the Steeple. The local Dutch Reformed Church has a strong congregation and a lively set of legends to go with it. Here’s the story about the long-winded Dominee Kruger: 'Sunday sermons were recorded, and the recordings were taken around to various aged church members during the week so they could also hear the word.

'One Sunday afternoon Dominee Kruger was curious to hear how his own voice sounded on tape. So, after lunch, he made himself comfortable and switched on the recorder to listen to himself. He woke up as the congregation was singing the closing hymn…'

The village hosts an annual sporting festival in aid of the local primary school that is attended by loyal ‘Rietbronners’ from all over South Africa.Teen die middel v.d. 19de eeu was die meeste van die vlakte tussen Beaufort-Wes, Prins Albert, Willowmore en Aberdeen nog kroongrond en onbewoon. Wilde volstruise en springbokke het in groot getalle voorgekom. Alhoewel die veld as weiding uitstekend geskik was vir kleinvee, was water skaars en het in droeë tye feitlik heeltemal verdwyn. Die eerste plase het ontstaan waar water verkrygbaar was.
Die plaas Rietbron (in die wandel bekend as Kaalplaas), waar ‘n standhoudende fontein was, is op 15 April 1841 uitgemeet en aan Hendriena Momberg toegeken teen ‘n erfpag van R2 per jaar. Die plaas was 5964 morg groot en was omtrent in die middel van genoemde dorpe geleë. Die ou plaashuis bestaan vandag nog, op die hoek van Keulder en Voortrekkerstraat. Dit is die eerste huis regs as jy die dorp van Willowmore af inkom.

Kaalplaas het baie van eienaar verwissel. In 1907 het Miller, toe die eienaar, ‘n dorp by die fontein laat registreer as “Morriston” (sy vrou sy nooiensvan was Morris). In 1910 het die NG Kerk Willowmore dit vir R6000 gekoop, hoofsaaklik met die idee om ‘n kerk te stig. Byna 100 jaar later is die kerk steeds die middelpunt van Rietbon en sy mense.