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Smittie Building
Volksrust, Mpumalanga

Date:1907-1915
Type:Offices with shops to street
Status:Extant

 


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Coordinates:
27°22'02.44" S 29°53'08.31" E Alt: 1668m

Reminisces of Joyce Smit (who is now in her 90s) posted by her grandson Justin Smit on Facebook.

"Smittie Building Volksrust

(some record as per The Recorder in Volksrust)

The building, now called “Smittie Building”, was originally built by Sugar Barons from Pennington – from Southern Natal – it was let to Ansteys old chainstore group from Durban and Johannesburg.

Building was started in 1907 by Sir Herbert Baker [unsubstantiated - not Baker style] – presumably as Architect and Builder. In 1909 he asked for leave of absence from the construction as he was relocated to Pretoria to build a building for the Government called “Union Buildings”. He started that in 1910 and finished in 1913.

He then relocated back to Volksrust to carry on with the Double Storey Building on the corner of Joubert Street and Laingsnek Street. The building was finished during 1915. It is not known how long Ansteys rented the building and when they moved out.

At some stage after them – Mr Jannie Eksteen and Mr Nic van Zyl – trading as E.Z. Handelshuis moved in. They relocated to a building across the road from FNB.

"Presumably after the war of 1939-1945 Greatermans rented the building and traded until 1961.

Mr Sam Rafel and Sons bought the building in 1961. He then relocated his business, which was next to Lyon Brothers – now Engen to the building on the corner. Also as a General Dealer. But also had groceries with clothing etc.

Smittie who worked at Greatermans since 1949 up to when they relocated back to Joburg, was requested by the Rafels to assist them in relocating their business and then Smittie and Joyce (Thornhill) bought the business from them in 1966 trading as Smitties. We changed the grocery department to the first self-service in Volksrust. From 1973 we only had clothing.

We bought the building from the Rafels in 1973. Naming the building “Smittie Building” trading until 1992, when we retired. We sold the building to a Transport Co. Partners from Durban and Vryheid in 2013. Do not know if they still own it.

From 1993 Pep Stores and various small traders rented the premises from us and kept on until we sold the building. Up to now 2021 – Pep Stores is still the main tenant."