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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2002-08 > 1028530415


From: Heese HF Dr <>
Subject: RE: [ZA] Pniel - PAARL-STELLENBOSCH Mission Station/Village
Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2002 08:53:35 +0200


During the late seventies I copied the baptism and marriage records of Pniel
onto record cards (Typed by the then secretary, Caroline Lakay, now Mrs
Groenewald). These records may be consulted at the Institute for Historical
Research at the University of the Western Cape - 021-9592616).

Dr Hans Heese Dr Hans Heese
US Argief US Archives
Wilcocksgebou Wilcocks Building
Universiteit van Stellenbosch University of Stellenbosch
Privaatsak X 1 Private Bag X 1
7602 Matieland 7602 Matieland


Tel: (021) 808 2415 Tel: (021) 808 2415
Sel: 082 3727 512 Mobile: 082 3727 512

Tuis: Home:

http://www.sun.ac.za/Archive/index.html


-----Original Message-----
From: Kammie [mailto:]
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 6:14 AM
To:
Subject: Re: [ZA] Pniel - PAARL-STELLENBOSCH Mission Station/Village


Hi Graeme, Keith, & David

According to an information brochure issued by the PNIEL TOURISM BUREAU,

1]The mission station was founded in 1843, in order to provide a fix abode
for
post 1838 emancipated slaves [wandering across the Boland].

2]PNIEL mission village is surrounded fruit farms with orchards [managed by
previously Rhodes Fruit Farms, now Anglo American Farms at Groot
Drakenstein], and grape farms with famous vineyards and wineries such as the
nearby Boschendal Wine Estate.

3]A FREEDOM MONUMENT was erected in 1992 to commemorate the freed slaves who
were the first settlers of the mission station in 1843.

4]A 'bellfry' church bell was erected in 1937 in commemoration of Rev Johan
Frederick Stegmann [1825-1910], the Founder of PNIEL Mission Station.

5]The original church bell used since 1843 has been declared a monument, and
can be observed at the headquarters of Anglo American Farms at Groot
Drakenstein.


6] Special Events :
6.i]Annual [United] Congregational Bazaar are held in April;

6.ii]Annual Chrysanthemum Flower Show are held in May;

6.iii] Month long Church Birthday celebrations takes place in September

PNIEL TOURISM BUREAU :

Fax No. 021/885-1683;
Tel No. 021/885-1500
Postal Address : P O Box 195, PNIEL, RSA
Street Address : PNIEL Council, Main Road, Pniel


A local study group consisting of 10 amateur writers, led by a
community/slave researcher, Eleanor Damons is currently investigating the
cultural history of PNIEL in preparation of 160 years celebrations of this
former slave community/mission hamlet in 2003[?]. This study group is, also,
investigating the 'slave
roots' of their family-trees. Eleanor Damon can be contacted directly at
Jefferey-John Damon <>


PS. The philanthropic/human rights movement led by luminaries such as Dr
Philip of the London Missionary Society were deeply concerned about
wandering freed slaves and detribalized Khoisan whose newly acquired freedom
of movement was threatened by Special Vagrancy laws and [Labour]
Apprenticeship legislation in the 1840's.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Meintjes" <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2002 5:41 PM
Subject: Re: [ZA] Pniel


> Rosenthal, "Encyclopedia of Southern Africa":
>
> Paarl takes its name from the granite rocks which crown the ridge
overlooking
> the tow, and which were thought to resemble a pearl (Paarl, in Dutch).
>
> Pniel 1: Mission station near Barkly West.
> Pniel 2: Coloured settlement near Paarl.
>
> Best wishes
> Keith
> ===============
> "David Morris" <> wrote:
> Dear Graeme,
> There are, to my knowledge, two Pniels in South Africa - both mission
> stations, one near Stellenbosch, the other near Kimberley (est 1845 -
about
> a quarter century before the discovery of diamonds along the banks of the
> Vaal River that flows beside the mission site). Sol Plaatje grew up and
was
> educated at this Pniel (run by the Berlin Mission Society).
>
> As to the origin of the name... it is Biblical and comes from the end of
> Genesis Ch 32, where the account of Jacob wrestling an angel is given. The
> angel blessed him and said "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but
> Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast
> prevailed" (vs 28).... And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel [as
the
> King James version gives its spelling]: for I have seen God face to face,
> and my life is preserved." (vs 30).
>
> Regards
> David Morris
> Kimberley
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "graeme samuels" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 7:49 PM
> Subject: [ZA] Pniel
>
>
> > Could anyone tell me how Pniel got it's unusual name ?? What about
Paarl,
> I think I read somewhere that Paarl was a different name in days gone by
??
> Regards, Graeme.
> ==== SOUTH-AFRICA Mailing List ====
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===================
Cheers Kammie,
From : 'Tavern of the seven seas', Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
My email address : "Mogamat Kamedien" =
My website address is : "Slavery @ the Cape" =
http://batavia.rug.ac.be/slavery/ :
You are most welcome to view my South African Slavery-pages hosted by
B@tavia at the "Centre for Third World Studies" based at the University of
Ghent, in Belgium.
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