Heart of My Hometown

The Indweans – Heart of My Hometown opens the door to the unique history of Indwe, a village in the then North East Cape, where place, time, and community spirit converge. This book is more than a history – it’s an invitation to experience the people and places that made Indwe special.

At the heart of this volume is Indwe’s own story. Once South Africa’s first company town, Indwe began as a unique melting pot, filled with personalities and events that gave the town its rich character. Boysie reached out to many Indweans, old and young, collected their memories, and unearthed a treasure trove of information that form a vivid portrait of the town across much of the twentieth century.

We meet William Whitaker, whose 1880s trading store became the town’s benchmark. We recall an array of other locals whose stories capture the town’s warmth and unique spirit. We visit many of the farms in the district, and travel via the Indwe Poort to neighbouring Lady Frere and Queenstown, and visit Dordrecht and Cala. Our exploration also takes us to the Guba, Waschbank, and Ida enclaves. The book delves into the personal histories of memorable town characters. We encounter inspiring figures like Tant Adriana Barker, who, at her passing, left behind a legacy of 222 descendants. We discover the enduring dedication of the town’s teachers, seven of whom collectively served the school for over two centuries.

Why does Indwe resonate so deeply with those who lived there? Heart of My Hometown captures that yearning to reconnect with a place where memories are woven into every street and landscape. Through the author’s research and intimate writing, readers can relive the vibrant history of Indwe. The book brings Indwe to life even for those who want to reconnect or discover the heart of this unique town for the first time.

This 507-page book includes 7 detailed maps, 90 photographs, links to 12 video clips of the 1950’s and 1960’s, and the names of the School’s matriculants (1927-1986).