We are fast nearing the end of our weekly travels with former Levubu resident Oom Willem van den Bergh. He left us a treasure trove of almost 100-year-old 16 mm films that he shot in the 1920s and 1930s of all his excursions, both locally and abroad, giving viewers a fascinating insight into a bygone era. In Episode 15, Oom Willem visits a mine, crosses the Hartbeespoort Dam wall, and pays a visit to the then world-renowned Onderstepoort government research facility.
Watch: Oom Willem takes a trip to a mine, crosses Harties and visits Onderstepoort (Film 15)
A glimpse into 1920s South Africa: from industry to innovation
Oom Willem's newly digitized 1920s-30s films offer a rare glimpse into a bygone era, showcasing his travels to a mine, Hartbeespoort Dam, and the world-renowned Onderstepoort research facility. His footage provides fascinating historical insights into early platinum mining, the dam's construction, and pioneering veterinary science. The film concludes with a captivating segment of traditional Venda dancing, possibly taken at a labor camp.