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Date: 1906-1907 Type: School Status: Extant   Click to view map Coordinates: 26°29'51.24" S 28°21'23.37" E Alt: 1550m

The Anglo-Boer War ended with the Peace of Vereeniging on May 31, 1902. One of the consequences of the war was the number of Boer orphans. These orphans were not enrolled in either of the two existing schools in Heidelberg because both were under English control (government schools). Ds. AJ Louw made the basement of the Klipkerk (also known as the "Cave of Abdullam") available as a classroom with Miss. Anna Basson and Katie Human as teachers. The increase in learners made a school building necessary. This was made possible by the donation of money and a large property by the brothers D. and W. Bezuidenhout and their brother-in-law C. Meyer. The foundation stone was laid on October 27, 1906, by Gen. Schalk Burger. The dedication took place on January 11, 1907, and on January 15, 1907, the building was commissioned. (Translated from Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg website, accessed 2020 03 13) See also Laer Volkskool website. Transciption of National Monuments Council Plaque: HIERDIE GEBOU IS OPGERIG TER NAGEDAGTENIS AAN DIE 867 INWONERS VAN HEIDELBERG EN DISTRIK WAT TYDENS DIE TWEEDE VRYHEIDSOORLOG (1899-1902) HULLE LEWENS GEOFFER HET. DIT DIEN OOK AS MONUMENT TER ERE VAN HULLE WAT BAIE VIR DIE BEVORDERING VAN CHRISTELIKE NASIONALE ONDERWYS GEDOEN HET RAAD VIR NASIONALE GEDENKWAARDIGHEDE _______________ THIS BUILDING WAS ERECTED IN MEMORY OF THE 867 INHABITANTS OF HEIDELBERG AND DISTRICT WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES DURING THE ANGLO-BOER WAR (1899-1902). IT ALSO SERVES AS A MONUMENT TO THOSE WHO DID MUCH TO PROMOTE CHRISTIAN NATIONAL EDUCATION NATIONAL MONUMENTS COMMISSION 1970