What if I told you that this charming structure, Onze Molen, has witnessed Durbanville’s transformation from a rural outpost to the vibrant community it is today? Onze Molen stands as a proud reminder of Durbanville’s rich history. It is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of early settlers.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Durbanville was known as Pampoenkraal. In 1801, Jacobus Uys and his mother-in-law were granted two morgen of land. This property was named Johannesfontein. However, it was too small for farming. Keeping stock was forbidden.
Uys was later granted more land. In 1837, he sold the entire property to Mezst van der Spuy Meyburgh. Meyburgh likely built Onze Molen sometime before 1848. The rising demand for wheat motivated its construction. Onze Molen was built in what was then an outlying area. It stood on Uys’s original two morgen.
Onze Molen operated as a working mill until after the turn of the 20th century. Then, its mechanism and top portion were removed. The remaining structure became a horse mill.
In 1963, Mr. B Brinkworth bought the farm. His wife named it Onze Molen. Tentative restoration plans proved impractical. Twenty years later, Brinkworth sold the property to the Natal Building Society. By then, Onze Molen was a mere four-meter-high trunk. A corrugated iron roof sheltered labourers.
The Natal Building Society researched possible restoration plans. They consulted with the National Monuments Council. No original plan of Onze Molen was found. The restoration was based on Mostert’s Mill.
Paul Woolley undertook the restoration. The wooden mechanism was crafted in a workshop. It was then transported to Durbanville. The cap was thatched on the ground. A crane hoisted the entire structure into place.
Onze Molen was officially opened in 1986. It became the centerpiece of the Onze Molen Village development. The Durbanville municipality assumed responsibility for it.
Interestingly, after the restoration, some criticised the outcome. They claimed it resembled Mostert’s Mill too closely. Despite the critique, the restored Onze Molen stands tall. It connects us to Durbanville’s agricultural past. It reminds us of a time when windmills dotted the Cape landscape. Next time you pass Onze Molen, take a moment. Consider its journey. From a working mill to a cherished landmark, it is a symbol of Durbanville’s enduring spirit.