HISTORY  |  ART  |  SCULPTURES  | FAMILY LEGACY
THE ESTATE

HISTORY

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1692

Registration of First Title Deed

The first Title Deed of this National Monument was registered to Hans Henske. Title deeds had to be registered in Amsterdam, which took years to effect. Weltevreden 1692 is the third farm North of the town and is likely to have been settled at the time of the founding of the small settlement of Stellenbosch.

1713

Badenhorst Family

The property was transferred to Caspar Hendrik Badenhorst. He had five sons. Most of the 25 000 of the Badenhorst family members can probably trace their Founding Fathers to this man!

1804

The Cape Dutch ‘werf’

The Cape Dutch ‘werf’ in front of the Manor House dates back to 1804 and has been expertly restored to its former glory.

1812

Deborah Retief

Deborah Retief and her husband, Christoffel Esterhuysen, purchased the property in 1812 from Sybrand Vermeulen. Their initials are molded into the back gable plasterwork. Deborah was the sister of the famous Voortrekker Leader, Piet Retief. The Cellar gable is dated 1804 and rumour has it that this building was built by Piet Retief. The gables of the Manor House give the best clue as to who the builder most likely was.

1812

Piet Retief

Legend has it that the Groot Trek was already contemplated by 1812 and that Retief cemented the blueprint for the Great Trek (that began in 1837) while building the Manor House. It Is the only Cape Dutch Manor House with wagon wheels on the gables. Legend has It that the wagon wheels were placed on the gables to show the Intention of the Afrikaners to move from the British Colony in due course. Twenty-five years later, the Groot Trek took place from Graaff-Reinet.

1812

Neo-Classical era

The period 1812 – 1815 was the height of the Neo-Classical era and the Cape enjoyed renewed prosperity. Six important Cape Dutch houses were built during this time in the greater Stellenbosch area: Boschendal, Weltevreden, Zevenwacht, Neethlingshof, Old Nectar and Navarre.

1817

Original House was Demolished

In 1817 the original house was demolished, and a new Cape house was built adjacent to the old one. The Cellar gable of Weltevreden 1692 was copied to become the end gables of the new house. The “H” shaped Cape Dutch house, with six elaborate gables is dated 1812. The unusual end gables are in the Cape Flemish style with a crown motif at the top.

1834

Slavery Abolished

Piet Retief’s father, Jocubus Retief, had a slave who was a first rate builder, and he was hired out to neighbours or relatives. This slave likely built Weltevreden 1692 . Slavery was abolished in 1834.

1908

Smith Family

In 1908 the property was acquired by Lourens Johannes Smith whose family owned the farm until 1989. Mrs. Laurie Joubert was born on Weltevreden 1692 in 1910 – one of sixteen children.

1975

National Monument

The buildings were proclaimed a National Monument.

1989

Peel Family

The Peel family purchased the property. Chris Peel saved Weltevreden 1692 from destruction. Through his loving restoration, which lasted almost twenty years, Weltevreden 1692 was restored to Its glory. Chris had an extraordinary inclination to restore all the woodwork at Weltevreden 1692 to Its former glory, and he executed this with precision. He saved the derelict buildings from destruction.

1998

National Monument

The property was declared a National Monument.

2012

Bezuidenhout Family

The Bezuidenhout family acquired the property. Inspired by the work of Chris Peel, André Bezuidenhout committed the family to continue with the restoration of Weltevreden 1692 and to open It up to the public to exhibit the rich history.

2019

The Bezuidenhout Family Repurchases Vineyards

The Bezuidenhout family acquired the vineyards adjacent to the Weltevreden 1692. Vine rootstocks were uncovered going back many decades on the property.

2020

The First Vintage of Bertha Wines was produced

The Bezuidenhout family decided to embark on winemaking. Bertha Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot-Rosé, Semillon & Shiraz, were produced by winemaker Bennie Booysen and his team.

Art & Sculptures

Art at Weltevreden 1692

Works of art greet you from the moment you enter Weltevreden 1692. Incredible art pieces are found in the most exciting places on the estate. The Manor House hosts work by Christo Coetzee, Frances Bacon, Otto Landsberg, and Zerk de Villiers. All the artists represented here have a unique characteristic that endears them and their work to Weltevreden 1692.

Bacon, is renowned for his bold, graphic, and emotionally raw images of abstract figures set against flat, non-descript backgrounds and depicted subjects in glass and steel geometrical cages.

Neo-Baroque artist, Coetzee, associated with the Avant-garde movement in Europe and Japan during the 1950’s, is truly represented at the estate. His Heads Series, painted between 1994-1995, hold a particular appeal and is widely considered to be the pinnacle of his work done on paper as the preferred medium. It also signaled the beginning of his unmistakable minimalist style.

De Villiers’ work in the mediums of oil, acrylic, and other various graphic media is filled with rich colour, and texture and creates a luminous play of light. This journey of self-discovery is bursting with symbolism and mystery. The images (as messengers) carry a metamorphosis of forgotten memories and seemingly lost dreams.

Art & Sculptures

Sculptures

More than 100 sculptures are hidden in the magical gardens of Weltevreden 1692. Most of the sculptures are pieces by Ruhan Janse van Rensburg and Charles Goddard. Each lane of Semillon vines (Bertha’s limited-release Reserve Wine) has artwork carefully placed to showcase the art of winemaking. The winemaker and the potter have distinct disciplines. They both create pieces of enjoyment for others through hours of dedication. Enjoy the words of poets paired with some of these artworks around the gardens. The sculptures are best served in the company of a glass of Bertha.

Ruhan Janse van Rensburg is a well-known and respected South African artist. Janse van Rensburg’s work explores (and essentially) redefines authentic obsessions. The artist’s spontaneous approach in creating disguised objects and figures does not fit any specific category as his style is not a label but much rather an effective tool to leave the viewer with a responsibility to draw their own conclusions.

ABOUT the estate

The Family Legacy

Family legacy has been evident throughout the years of Weltevreden 1692’s existence. The Bezuidenhout’s being only the 6th Family to occupy this historic land in 300 years.


The Bezuidenhout, a small, dynamic powerhouse family of strong-minded, creative people hope to continue the family legacy of Weltevreden 1692.

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2012

Bezuidenhout Family Takes Ownership and renewed restoration commences

2013

Manor House Restoration Completed

2013

October 2013, Weltevreden 1692 opens its doors to the public again after substantial renovations of all the buildings and the gardens

2014

Kids Carnival Founded

2015

Wedding Venue Expanded

2016

Blos Bakery joins the Family

2017

Jonkershuis Restaurant Founded

2018

Marnella Macarons joins the Family

2019

Weltevreden Hills Vineyards Purchased

2020

Bertha Wines' First Vintage Released

2021

Bertha Wines & Marnella Macaron Pairing Introduced

2022

World Class Syrah Project Under Development on the South-facing slopes of Weltevreden 1692

2023

First Harvest of Syrah Vineyards