S1 - Ep 521 - Potchefstroom, North West!

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  • Опубликовано: 10 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 90

  • @mariusroos
    @mariusroos 2 месяца назад +14

    So many of us made a turn at Potch during our National Service. So many memoriesof the vasbyt times! But we made it. Thank you for taking us through this journey. A rich history lies here. Great names of the past. The station was a very sad sight. We all arrived there to be pickedup to serve😢. Thanks for this trip my memories went far back. Next one my seat is booked.

  • @claravanrooyen4131
    @claravanrooyen4131 2 месяца назад +8

    Thankyou I remember about 1971/1972 we visited my niece , who was then at university in Potchefstroom . We went to the dam. There was trampolenes, as I remember , big trees , shadow and huge area covered grass . I enjoyed that visit very much

  • @kobusvanheerden2684
    @kobusvanheerden2684 2 месяца назад +8

    Hi . I was one of the first G6 drivers in 4 artillery in 1986 in Potch. If you go to Stilfontein dont visit the old mines it is invested with illegal miners and they will do you harm. Thanks for great channel , i was the one that requested Coppertone and enjoyed the history i used to had there.

    • @malefanepro9582
      @malefanepro9582 Месяц назад

      by the time u commented they had already gone past that area in July, your advice was too late, for the fact that they where able to post this video it means they safe, your advice is null and void

  • @WayneKitching
    @WayneKitching 2 месяца назад +13

    Curtis is a lot older than I'd thought. If he finished his military service in 1985 when he was 20, he is probably 59 or 60ish. In other words, he looks young for his age!

  • @charlietreston4035
    @charlietreston4035 2 месяца назад +4

    Hi guys a very historical and clean and tidy city .always great to hear your memories of your time in the army. The dam where your father and sister stayed and the story about the chef giving you that huge lump of meat .so many interesting things to list with this being the first town in the transvaal. The city is definitely bound up with the military and the huge university. The memorial to the cosentration was sad .atleast the rest looked in good order. As you would expect big rugby place and a amazing amount of sports facilities. Loved all the old architecture especially the Italianate building with the fountains in the front. Great to see the swimming pool still going since the 1930s .what a shame about the station but atleast you have your memories and the name boards and the old loco were a bonus .the stone that holds the support for the veranda roof are called cobalts .the accommodation was spot on and lived up to its name Craft guest house .enjoyed all the military stuff could spend days looking at it really enjoyed this video when you speak about the army again ill be able to picture it .thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one

  • @dailytv3928
    @dailytv3928 Месяц назад +1

    Born and raised in Potchefstroom but moved to the UK at a young age. This video really was a walk down memory lane. This town had so much life and events when I was a kid. How Potch dam had so much going on every weekend with fishing, boating and partying. It still is a gem of a town but thank you so so much for this video.

  • @beryl9538
    @beryl9538 2 месяца назад +4

    I must say that Potchefstroom has such a rich History. What a stunning place. I had such a good laugh when Curtis spoke of the telefax system. I remember using that in 1983. Thanks once again and be safe on the road.

  • @thewanderer58
    @thewanderer58 2 месяца назад +2

    With the exception of the tragic state of the station building (which had me choked-up), I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonably well-kept the city of Potchefstroom as a whole is. The NWU campus is pristine, housing some beautiful historical buildings. Your accommodations at The Craft Guesthouse looked most inviting and relaxing. Glad you got to take a drive down memory lane in Potchefstroom Curtis. Look forward to the next stop. Thank you.

  • @rogermac117
    @rogermac117 2 месяца назад +4

    So sad to see the train station looking like that. I was at the Air Force base there for 18 months and used to take the train from that station to the Rotunda in Jo'burg and then the bus to Jan Smuts to catch a plane home. I remember 10 Artillery when I was there and the sound of the G5's was incredible. For entertainment there was the Elgro, Royal and later on Bourbon Street. Great times in a lively student/military town.

  • @EurikaKruger
    @EurikaKruger 2 месяца назад +2

    Ek het in 1986 & 87 in Potch gebly, langs die Mooi rivier. Dit was toe nog n baie kleiner plek.
    Dit was lekker om bekende plekke weer te sien. Dankie daarvoor julle 2.

  • @terrimeyer3815
    @terrimeyer3815 2 месяца назад +2

    Potch such a lovely town and varsity home to many South Africans. Loved your accommodation as well. History incredible never learn any of this at school. Which makes travel your best educator.🎉🎉 I'm being educated by you two dust buggers 🎉🎉😂😂❤❤

  • @annawitter5161
    @annawitter5161 2 месяца назад +3

    There is a Weskoppies. I think it's the hospital soldiers were sent to if they went bossies at the border. I remember studying Totius in Afrikaans poetry. Amazing poet. So glad his statue survived. There seems to be so much burnt ground everywhere. Potch station is very sad. It was a humming station in it's day. Love the old loco. I think you heard a ghost train. They still run. I love all the historical links you make. Love the bed where you stayed, the bedside cabinets and lamps. Really antique and beautiful. Lovely place

  • @AnnemarieWillcox
    @AnnemarieWillcox 2 месяца назад +3

    My sister went to University at Potchefstroom. I live in the UK and she is in White River and I have her watching your trips too.

  • @tsholofelomosoetsa6310
    @tsholofelomosoetsa6310 2 месяца назад +8

    My hometown🙌🏿❤

  • @Malawianmunthu
    @Malawianmunthu Месяц назад +1

    The most relaxing channel on RUclips. Keep them coming. Sending love from Malawi.

  • @samsonkjoseph6087
    @samsonkjoseph6087 2 месяца назад +6

    Baie dankie vriende.

  • @danavanniekerk9868
    @danavanniekerk9868 2 месяца назад +7

    Unbelievable that a big town like Potch does not have a station anymore. Really sad

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +2

      Yup. 😒 And what an incredibly beautiful station building that once was. It still is to us in a very sad way. 🏛

    • @asterix4197
      @asterix4197 2 месяца назад +1

      @@danavanniekerk9868 it got caught on fire a few years ago

    • @_xiper
      @_xiper 2 месяца назад +3

      It seems many stations across the country have ceased to operate. Wonder if corruption has anything to do with this.

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +5

      Corruption does play a part in the Sourh Africa of today and reaches every sector. 🇿🇦😥 The Railways did show signs of decline prior to 1994 already, but the ongoing lack of maintenance, repairs and ultimately the needless vandalisation and destruction of facilities have brought us to the current sad state of our incredible infrastructure and extensive rail network.

    • @lusandambhele5714
      @lusandambhele5714 2 месяца назад

      True most of them around the country
      And I have no doubt it's corruption tjooo

  • @OnalennaRadibeela-vi7su
    @OnalennaRadibeela-vi7su 19 дней назад

    WOW, IAM CURRENTLY A STUDENT HERE IN POTCH, ITS INDEED A FACINATING PLACE.

  • @MP-uw1qc
    @MP-uw1qc 2 месяца назад +4

    The white tank is a Crusader cruiser tank dating back to the Second World War. It saw service in the North Africa campaign. Interestingly, South Africa has more of these tanks on display or in museums than any other country.

  • @AnnemarieWillcox
    @AnnemarieWillcox 2 месяца назад +2

    Fantastic accomadation you stayed in

  • @rosemarymoolman6765
    @rosemarymoolman6765 Месяц назад

    I have never been to Potchefstroom and had always wondered what it's like. There is so much history, and the university. What a lovely place. Thank you for showing it to us!

  • @KingReyT
    @KingReyT 2 месяца назад +1

    Thanks for visiting ❤

  • @jonathanhopkins4042
    @jonathanhopkins4042 2 месяца назад +4

    I won't tell you when I visited Potch, but I was meeting with a senior Local Authority Figure. We had the meeting in the old Parliament chamber, and it was wonderful. After the meeting I hosted the council officials to a very pleasant liquid lunch. We got on like a house on fire. The high point was when one of the officials said to me, don't you worry about any speeding or parking tickets Jonathan - they all cross my desk happy days.

  • @metalbird8992
    @metalbird8992 2 месяца назад +4

    Marthinus Wessel Pretorius was the founder of the city of Pretoria in 1855. He named it after his illustrious father, Andries Pretorius, hero of the Battle of Blood/Ncome River. As mentioned by another viewer, Marthinus died on 19 May 1901 when, as an 81 year old, British soldiers took him into custody for questioning outside during a bitter cold winter’s night and he fell ill afterwards. He holds the distinction of having been President of both the Transvaal Republic (ZAR) and the Orange Free State. He hoped to unite the two republics but did not realise this dream.

  • @lawrencetheko9085
    @lawrencetheko9085 Месяц назад

    My home town😊 thank you for visiting my town but would like to say I'm so disappointed by how our infrastructure is being demolished by druggies, and also how potch dam is not well taken care of, you missed Ferdinand Postma school and President Pretorius museum and was hoping you see that, but I'm happy you made a turn and showed us the beautiful BNB, thank you very nice channel guys ✌️

  • @sampat70
    @sampat70 2 месяца назад +3

    The white wall s was the old gate for Witrand hospital but thd gate was only move back near to the roboard

  • @dawnbarnes1361
    @dawnbarnes1361 2 месяца назад

    That was a very relaxing trip😅 The Craft Guesthouse is beautiful 🎉 and such a good price too!! Such fun memories for you Mr D 😂 I loved their trees in Portchefstroom beautiful even without their leaves 🍃 ❤️ Thank you for the lovely trip Curtis and Sonie 😘🙏

  • @773devago
    @773devago 2 месяца назад

    As a resident of Potchefstroom it pains me seeing the town through other people's perspective as a young adult it really breaks my heart how the town looks. Great video you guys just gained a follower !

  • @lee-anneadams9222
    @lee-anneadams9222 2 месяца назад

    Hi Curtis, Sonia Dusty and Sandy, life has been happening to me, so I'm playing catch up.
    Thank you for this visit, I'm marvelling at all the history here, places and events I remember learning in history classes at school.
    Safe travels 🥾🥾

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +2

      Life happens, I totally get it. I knew you'll be back and I told Dusty and Sandy that they must just be patient. They missed your greetings! 😍🐻🐻

  • @ChristaGodley
    @ChristaGodley 2 месяца назад

    Wow nou dink ek ook terug na 1985 ek dink dit was in desember toe wa s ek laas daar het een saterdag daar saam met mense by dam gebraai en gekuier. Baie dankie het dit baie geniet om weer te sien. Sioe julle het n baie mooi eenheid gehad om in te slaap. Mooi ry en wees veilig

  • @davidjones3712
    @davidjones3712 Месяц назад

    Hi the hospital there was a military hospital, North West Medical Command and it was on the left of that main road, not right. It was past the sports ground.
    The building in your video is new.
    The hospital was, in 1991, an old building that had been used as the local state hospital before the Kallie De Haas hospital was built in the town.
    There was also Danie Theron Ķryg Skool which housed an infantry battalion and later the Intelligence corp.
    The airforce base was also nearby.
    I was last there doing national service as a medic 1991. The artillery base was huge and we spent weeks in the bush doing exercises.

  • @Miroslava245
    @Miroslava245 Месяц назад

    This episode really made me sad. It was so hard to see the cemetery being neglected, vandalized, and full of rubbish. We have so little of historic buildings, and seeing the railway station was heartbreaking. I'm sure you both were taken back. Very sad.😢

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  Месяц назад

      Although we're always saddened by any neglect and decay we see on our travels, we make a point of focusing on the positives, otherwise there is simply no point to travel. 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @frederikbrits9559
    @frederikbrits9559 2 месяца назад +6

    The British troops visited M.W 's house at night and interrogate the old man outside his house for ours....he cought a serious flew and died a few days later, he was the eldest son of Blood River hero Andries Pretorius

    • @charlietreston4035
      @charlietreston4035 2 месяца назад +2

      Very interesting you must be proud of your ancestors

  • @marlenegreyling8620
    @marlenegreyling8620 2 месяца назад +5

    'n Dubbel opwasbak in die kombuis is 'n moet! Is daar plekke in SA wat julle nog graag wil besoek en nog nie by was nie? Julle kaart lyk reeds vol dotjies 😊

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +2

      We have only visited 500-odd towns in our precious country so far, so we haven't scratched the surface yet! 🇿🇦😍 We're yet to explore towns and places in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga and quite a few other provinces still have places we haven't been to just yet. There is just too many to visit and we don't have enough time remaining once we've taken care of life and work. 🚙😁

  • @christabloem
    @christabloem Месяц назад

    The white walls you saw at the Gunners Memorial was the original entrance to Potchefstroom. Greetings from Potchefstroom. Gnr Dirk Bloem

  • @MuhammadRizwan-kk3nk
    @MuhammadRizwan-kk3nk 2 месяца назад

    Just saw your vlogs yesterday your vlogs for kzn durban Margate was asum..keep it up

  • @kennethdshort
    @kennethdshort 2 месяца назад +3

    Hi Curtis and Sonia,
    Growing up in Germiston, I probably was in Potchefstroom at some point.
    Don't remember the existence of military institutions back then .
    Probably at the dam for fishing with my Dad. Maybe just day trips back then due the close proximity to Germiston. Also, I probably passed through the city in later years on the way to various places.
    Well I guess we are onto Klerksdorp and Orkney next, and after that, back home to Strand. Unless, of course we're still going to tour northwestern North West province. There's the town of Pomfret that you mentioned in the first video of the trip. And looking on the map, there's a tiny place called Bray which love the sound of.

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +2

      I'd love to go back to Pomfret one day and explore that area, including Bray. I've considered it a few times already, but it's quite far our of the way and there are few towns out that way. They're also rather far apart, which makes a long trip challenging for us two who like to visit as many places as we possibly can before we have to return and do the work and normal life thing again. 🚙😁

  • @frederikbrits9559
    @frederikbrits9559 2 месяца назад +2

    Cresswell became a minister in the Union Parlaiment of Genl Louis Botha

  • @francoispieterse7371
    @francoispieterse7371 2 месяца назад +2

    Weskoppies(mental hospital) is in Pretoria

  • @frederikbrits9559
    @frederikbrits9559 2 месяца назад +4

    My Voortrekker oupa vestig in die distrik 1843

  • @Gex121
    @Gex121 Месяц назад

    1:26:37 You are driving in part of the oak tree avenue right now :)

  • @rinakuyler2570
    @rinakuyler2570 2 месяца назад

    My husband Johan Kuyler was a medic there... 1984...1985...

  • @barbarasattler9138
    @barbarasattler9138 2 месяца назад +4

    You will be surprised to hear that I went to boarding school in Potchefstroom.

  • @AlanViljoen
    @AlanViljoen 2 месяца назад +2

    Hi. If you go to Vryheid, avoid the cbd at all costs. You WILL be mugged or worse.

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +1

      We visited Vryheid in Episode 380 already. 🚙🙂 Fortunately we had no issues while we were in town.

  • @normanp6994
    @normanp6994 2 месяца назад +4

    (Tom) Steve Biko straat is die langste Akker laan.
    Argief en Museum is deel van die Biblioteek gebou, daar binne is fotos van hoe die kampus deur die jare verander het.
    Julle moet dalk probeer, om in die week, met mense in die gebou te praat, dan sal hulle julle dalk meer informasie gee.

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +3

      Our travelling schedule put us in Potchefstroom that Saturday and Sunday and we moved on afterwards. This trip was in July already and we're long back home in the Western Cape. 😁 We're totally happy getting an overview of every place we visit, there is simply no time to delve deeper into the history of any one specific place of interest in the limited time we have available on the road. We were just happy to have been able to take a drive through that beautiful campus. 🚙📚

  • @conrayjones9290
    @conrayjones9290 2 месяца назад +3

    I did my 2 years in Potch Art School and you?

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +2

      I did six months at the Personnel Services School in Pretoria and the last 18 months in the Ops Room at the NW Command in Potch. I speak a little about that in our video and we briefly visited the NW Command. 😁

    • @conrayjones9290
      @conrayjones9290 2 месяца назад +1

      I did my basics at 14 field (the first camp you were at). At Art school I became a G5 instructor, I was also involved in the development of the G6. I do not recognize anything in Potch.

  • @ArthurWright-x6x
    @ArthurWright-x6x 2 месяца назад

    I was in Potchefstroom, in 14th Field regiment in 1974 doing basic training and I can remember how the station was, and alas what you see now is the buy product of democracy .

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +1

      This station building was particularly sad to me too, probably because I also saw it when it was fully-operational and in great shape. 😥🏛️ Luckily we managed to see some pretty spectacular historical buildings in the city too, so that eased the pain somewhat.

  • @johanvandersandt8904
    @johanvandersandt8904 2 месяца назад +7

    Die dorp is n skaduwee van wat hy was.

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +3

      That goes for almost every single place in our beautiful country though and is by no means unique to Potch. We still love visiting them. 🇿🇦😍

  • @annacassisa9151
    @annacassisa9151 2 месяца назад

    HELLO 2 THE 2 IF U. IS'NT WESKOPPIES IN PRETORIA?

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +1

      It is indeed! I had Witrand en Witkoppies mixed up. 😁🏥

  • @aislingbooks
    @aislingbooks Месяц назад

    Was - and is it still - obligatory to enlist in South Africa's army when turning 18, Curtis? If so, is two years the obligatory number of days served?

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  Месяц назад +1

      What we called conscription was indeed compulsory and two years had to be served. 🥾 It was abolished in 1994.

    • @aislingbooks
      @aislingbooks Месяц назад

      Thanks, Curtis

  • @motlalepulemorake4965
    @motlalepulemorake4965 2 месяца назад

    👌🏽

  • @francoispieterse7371
    @francoispieterse7371 2 месяца назад

    DF Malan was the 4th prime Minister of RSA 1948 to 1954. Died 1959 age 85

  • @drinapatrick8506
    @drinapatrick8506 2 месяца назад +5

    Du Toit (under the name Totius) appeared on a South African postage stamp in 1977. In 1977, a statue of Totius by the sculptor Jo Roos was placed in the Totius Garden of Remembrance, in Potchefstroom. The statue was restored by Roos in 2009, and moved to the Potchefstroom Campus of North-West University.

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +3

      Yup, we did our research while we were at the monument and shared the relevant info in our video too. 🏛️

  • @gollygosh40
    @gollygosh40 2 месяца назад +1

    So very, very sad to see the destruction of the railways, rolling stock and beautiful buildings, a perfectly functional system in my youth, capitalism and corruption gone crazy.

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +1

      Yup, indeed. 🏛️😥 Fortunately some good things and beautiful buildings remain in the city and we were very happy to see some of them too. We hang on to the positives or we'll never explore another place again.

    • @gollygosh40
      @gollygosh40 2 месяца назад

      @@DustBugsTravel Don't stop, just a bit melancholy thinking about the times skipping through the Balfour boarding school windows to catch the 3 o clock early morning train to jo'burg, just for a few extra hours of freedom, watching the steam engines shunt in the fog.

  • @ludwichpretorius9596
    @ludwichpretorius9596 Месяц назад

    The railway station is just another reflection of the incompetence of the SA government of recent years. Sad.

  • @patriciamorris670
    @patriciamorris670 2 месяца назад

    No come on now, weajoppies is in Pretoria West, Pretoria

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +1

      Uhm, I've never heard of 'weajoppies', but if you meant 'Weskoppies', I realised my mistake soon after I said it and corrected it in our video. You clearly missed that. 🤨 I'm most definitely not familiar with all the hospital names in South Africa, nor will I ever be. You might just have to get used to that. 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @siegfriedwurth5928
    @siegfriedwurth5928 2 месяца назад

    The train station totally destroy, what a wonderful government they must be to destroy all history?

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +1

      Yes, it was sad to see that beautiful old building in ruins. 😥🏛 We did see some interesting and pretty places too though, we prefer focusing on those.

    • @sampat70
      @sampat70 2 месяца назад +1

      Thanks a lot we Love your videos, we are pleased that you could saw some of the very good places. We are living in Potch for almost 60 years and its sad to see some of our histery places destroy, loveing all you videos!!!

    • @ArthurWright-x6x
      @ArthurWright-x6x 2 месяца назад

      My daughter is a teacher and history in South Africa starts 1n 1994, I wonder why?

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  2 месяца назад +1

      I would imagine because the new democratic Government took over in 1994 most of the history pre-1994 doesn't feature in the curriculums anymore. 🇿🇦📚 We're not a political channel by any means, so this is where I'll leave it. We focus on travel instead and much prefer it that way. 🚙😁

  • @LouiseOberholzer
    @LouiseOberholzer Месяц назад

    Ag asb mense! Potchefstroom is 'n wonderlike plek ja. Praat van ondervinding. Maar kan julle twee asb maar tog net Afrikaans praat met engelse onderskrifte. En stop tog die ewige 'Wow' 'interesting hey?' Dis vrek irriterend.

    • @DustBugsTravel
      @DustBugsTravel  Месяц назад +2

      Wow! 😁 I really don't think our channel is the one for you, so you don't have to watch our videos. We'll continue on our merry way and enjoy our interesting travels, as we've done in the 545 videos currently on our channel. Oh, and I'm an English-speaking person who grew up in the Free State, so our videos will always be in English.

  • @ToyyHill
    @ToyyHill Месяц назад

    Spent 1 year in 4 field Artillery regiment which is located just outside potch.trained as a combat gunner.left potch went to South West Africa 61 mechanised.