Kuils River: Sometimes You Have to Look Closer

 

The Informal Trading Hub

Ever since moving to Kuils River 4 years ago, I had made it my mission to walk the streets discovering the finer nuances of this quaint town, many hidden shops hold a surprising wealth of wares not commonly found in the bigger more commercialized stores. Imagine my delight coming across this tiny informal trading hub tucked behind the local mall, nestled in a parking lot surrounded by trees, the rich aromas of spices being sold wafting through the air, the hustle and bustle of customers darting from one stall to the other like bees harvesting pollen from a field of flowers, traders announcing their goods on sale in an attempt to attract the potential customer, as I walked between these stalls everything from food, clothing, electronics and household cleaning products were offered, sometimes at competitive prices to the surrounding stalls, one stall however stood out for me more than the rest, a second hand book stall! These books although preowned were in good condition and at such a bargain price, it was at this very bookstall I found a copy of a book I once owned but thought I had lost forever titled the Almanac of the Uncanny, since this occurrence I have made it a priority to visit this obscure little trading hub to search for such valuable gems.

This little market could fool you into thinking that it is just locals selling their wares, however it is closely situated to the local taxi rank so people from the surrounding areas all travel through here, it is a place where locals and foreign nationals coexist for the same purpose of earning a living, above and beyond I have witnessed this market transforming from a few stalls during the week to quite a large nest of stalls over the weekend, it never seems to lose its magic or charm.

Kuils River: A Town with an Architectural Gem

 

Dutch Reformed Church of Kuils River

Nestled in the centre of the town of Kuils River stands an imposing church building, its spire reaches for the sky as a visible representation of an antenna to God, the steps leading up to its main entrance evokes mystery and grandeur this is the Dutch reformed church of Kuils River.

Its architect Folkert Wilko Hesse produced its design as a labour of love, this is evident in it magnificent façade, sweeping entrance staircase and dominating spire, its presence somehow omniscient of the town that surrounds it, it is a landmark to the locals and sits comfortably on one of the towns major roads Van Riebeek road which consequently is Voortrekker Road all the way from Salt river but changes name as it goes through Kuils River, historically this road carried the Voortrekkers from Cape Town all the way through the town of Kuils River on their way up country towards Pretoria. Kuils River was initially founded in the 1600’s as a refreshment station for the Dutch East India company, eventually it was incorporated into the municipality and developed as a town of which the church formed part of the first civic buildings to be established.

As an avid fan of architecture, the Dutch reformed church of Kuils River fascinates and interests me, when I walk the main road to shops and other amenities, the presence of the church is striking amongst the more modern buildings that surrounds it, as I am not of its denomination I have only ever seen the interior once, it is as stunning and beautiful as the outside, with a large organ filling the wall behind the pulpit, its rich wooden pews flanking the aisle to the front of the church leaves one a little breathless. Having stood the test of time this church remains a beacon not just to its congregation but to anyone who has the pleasure of laying their eyes upon it.

Kuils River Library: A hub of Information, Leisure and Community

 

Kuils river Library

Kuils River Library is situated in the heart of Kuils River, the locals fondly call the town “die Dorp”, it has celebrated its 64^th birthday this year, and is well on its way to receiving “Heritage Building” status. The architectural style is reminiscent of an old Dutch farm house, coincidently it was constructed in 1957 and was opened by the administrator of the Cape Province P.J. Oliver, it has since undergone multiple renovations to be the facility it is today. The library serves the wider area of Kuils River, Sarepta and Wesbank. In scale it is classified as a “Community” Library, which is the third grade, within the city of Cape Town, libraries are graded in the following way: 1) City Wide libraries, which service the greater metropole, 2) Regional Libraries which serve multiple areas and, 3) Community libraries which serve smaller communities not in the immediate vicinity of a regional library. A large percentage of Kuils River library users are senior citizens, followed by school children and then general users.

I am personally fond of Kuils River library as I am a staff member at this fine institution, I moved to Kuils River four years ago after previously living in Goodwood at which I was a staff member at Goodwood library as well, moving to Kuils River was an adjustment, however interacting with the library, its patrons and the community in general I have become quite the local myself. The staff at Kuils River library has a pleasantness and charm which I feel reflects the community, they are helpful and the library as an institution offers a wide range of programmes to the community, its collection is a treasure trove not only the latest best sellers but the classics as well. The library has seen its community change around itself over the past few decades, and yet it stands strong in its landscape adapting to the society that revolves around it.