Basson's General Store and the Red Ox

The building that now houses the tourism office on Plein Street started life as Basson's General Store. The date 1928 is in its plaster gable. It was built by Mr Van der Merwe for Nicolaas 'Tos' Basson, whose family lived in one wing and ran the store in the rest.

Its history also reflects its time. The main corner entrance served white customers, and the far end of the shop was reserved for customers who were not white. Around the 1960s Basson's children sold the building to the council, and it became the municipal office.

Across Sarel Cilliers Street, Christoffel Basson, no relation, ran a fuel station and repair shop. In 1938, the centenary of the Great Trek, he made a cement ox for the village square.

The heritage walk starts here. It is a good place to begin exploring the village.