Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Kei Road is a small village within the Amatole region of the Eastern Cape, with proud historic roots dating from the 1879 Cape Frontier Wars. Kei Road Farmers’ Association (KRFA) came into existence after the 19th-century land grants to soldiers and the establishment of farms in this area. The KRFA minute book, dated 21 October 1875, is currently the oldest written record of a farming association on record in the country, and perhaps even on the central and southern continent.
To celebrate the incredible milestone of 150 years, an evening of shared anecdotes and special memories was held at the Kei Road Clubhouse (previously known as the Kei Road Public Hall, originally erected in 1893) on the evening of 27 September.
One of the stories, described in detail by Barbara van de Vyver, was about the time when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, together with their daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, on the royal train route during their 1947 visit in South Africa, stopped at a duly decorated Kei Road station where the locals turned out in force, dressed in their best. “Kei Road actually won the first prize for having been the best decorated station for this fleeting visit by the Royal family, one which was very much talked about for years to come.”
Van de Vyver furthermore recounted other momentous occasions, such as when the railroad came to Kei Road and how the times have changed since then. “The Kei Road Women’s Association became a focal point where the women socialised and often talked about all things domestic, flower arrangements, and catering for social occasions such as the local stock sales. They did a lot of charitable work too, especially for the children’s home in King William’s Town, though much of these endeavours have gone undocumented,” she said. “It was also a prestigious honour to be the women’s association chairlady.”
In good times and bad
According to Ronnie Eb, one of the KRFA’s members, the association and its members and families have endured many interesting and tough times. He recounted the 1875 annual KRFA members’ fee, which was 1 pound, with 110 members on the books under the leadership of the first president, George Blaine.
Also, the time of the First and Second Anglo Wars, and the 1896 Rinderpest outbreak, when a contingent of Kei Road farmers went to the Orange River to try to erect a fence to stop it from coming. “We think farming today is hard,” he said, “but these guys tried to fence the entire border of the Cape province to try and keep the Rinderpest out. Unfortunately, nothing could stop it, and the region lost 4 million cattle.
The First World War followed, and records tell how our Kei Road women sewed sheepskin coats, long stockings, balaclavas, and other articles for the troops. When our local men came home after the war, a sumptuous banquet was held in our own mutual hall, with flags and bunting from the hall all the way to the station.”
Eb dug up stories of the days when the village had a hotel, printing press, shops, and when travelling salesmen would pay a visit and have a captive audience. He also talked about the time when the old Kei Road Public Hall was used as a venue where fancy dances and gramophone music were highlights of society life. “The hall was enlarged in 1937, and in 1968 the shareholders decided to hand the hall with all of its assets over to the KRFA – what a debt of gratitude we owe to these original shareholders.”
During the course of the event, Kyle van de Vyver, chairperson of the KRFA, remarked on the endeavours of its members to actively support the community and farmers where possible. – Carin Venter, Plaas Media
For more information, contact Kyle van de Vyver on 079 028 8621.
