“Twenty thousand pounds. That’s what it took to start Alberton,” I reveal.
Here in Alberton, we stand where it all began. This town, now a bustling part of Ekurhuleni, has a story that stretches back to the 1840s.
Let’s journey back to the start. Picture Johan Georg Meyer and his wife Hester. They were Voortrekkers from Prince Albert. They sought new land in the Transvaal. Org, as he was known, chose three farms. These were Klipriviersberg, Elandsfontein, and Swartkoppies.
In 1856, Jan Meyer, Org’s son, acquired a piece of Elandsfontein. He built a house near the Natalspruit. Later, in 1890, he built a mansion. Miraculously, it survived the Anglo Boer War. You can still see it from the N12 freeway.
After Jan’s death, his brother Org Meyer took over the farm. Then, in 1904, General Hendrik Abraham Alberts bought part of it. He named it Alberton. The town was named after him.
Alberton started growing. The first post office opened in 1926. Building work on the town hall began in 1938. Street names in Alberton North were renamed after Voortrekker leaders. This coincided with the 100-year commemoration of the Great Trek.
Did you know that Alberton was only proclaimed a township in 1909? It was established in 1904.
Let me tell you about a local institution. The ABC STORE opened in 1943. It is still open today. It specializes in school uniforms.
Alberton became part of the City of Ekurhuleni in 2000. The town celebrated its centenary in 2005.
Alberton sits at about 1,570 meters above sea level. It is on the banks of the Natal Spruit. Johannesburg is 11 km to the northwest.
The initial center was Alberton North. The original black settlement was near the Alberton Dam. Apartheid changed that. Residents were moved to townships. A white suburb, Verwoerdpark, was created. It was named after Hendrik Verwoerd.
Alberton now includes 19 suburbs. These sprawl across 77 square kilometers.
Alrode is Alberton’s industrial area. It was established in 1943. CJ Fuchs (Pty) Ltd was a major industry. It made domestic electrical appliances. The company grew into a multi-million Rand operation. Carl Fuchs was the first Freeman of Alberton.
The Alberton Boulevard was a major project. It started in the late 1980s. The goal was to make Voortrekker Road pedestrian-friendly.
Alberton offers access to major freeways. These include the R59, N12, N17, and N3.
Alberton is also home to the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve. It has diverse wildlife. You might spot zebra and wildebeest. There are also Iron Age settlements in the reserve.
Alberton may seem like any other town. However, it has a unique history. From its Voortrekker roots to its modern suburbs, Alberton continues to evolve. The echoes of its past are still present. They shape its identity today. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of history and progress.