Africlassic Harrismith – Huize Sandwijk

Our Story

Africlassic Harrismith – Huize Sandwijk promises an enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable experience. We aim to make you feel at home, take care of you, and truly create “Your Home in Africa.” Staying at Africlassic Harrismith – Huize Sandwijk feels like you’re part of a unique history.

Nestled at the foothills of Platberg Mountain in the scenic Drakensberg Highlands, Harrismith offers a serene environment with cool, fresh mountain air. The ever-changing weather paints dramatic backdrops of clouds and peaks, while the breathtaking scenery from our beautiful garden complements the historic home, setting the stage for a truly remarkable stay at Africlassic Harrismith – Huize Sandwijk.

This timeless residence was built in the 1950s by Jan Benjamin van Sandwyk (born 8 January 1907), the 10th child of Cornelis Marinus van Sandwyk (born 30 November 1847) and Aletta Cecilia Petronella van Zijl (born 23 June 1873). From a humble upbringing in a family of 14, he rose to become a successful businessman, shaping the character of Huize Sandwijk.

How the Van Sandwyk family landed in South Africa

Cornelis van Sandwyk and Kato van Vollenhoven, students in 1869 at the University of Utrecht, fell in love. Facing family disapproval, they eloped and married in London in 1869. Unable to return, they journeyed to South Africa, finally finding kin in Bethlehem. They left Kimberley for Harrismith, where Cornelis ran a transport wagon business and did various jobs along the way, eventually shaping the legacy of Africlassic Harrismith – Huize Sandwijk.

Tragedy

Tragedy touched the family when Kato and her child died in 1895 during the birth of their first child. Buried in Harrismith, Kato rests with her baby in her arms. Cornelis, aged 48, remarried Aletta van Zijl, who would bear 14 children. The resilience and spirit of this lineage live on in the rooms named after the Harrismith mountains, each dedicated to a Van Sandwyk family member and their descendants.

• Platberg — dedicated to Cornelis Marinus van Sandwyk (born 30 November 1847), his runaway bride Kato van Vollenhoven, and his second wife Aletta Cecilia Petronella van Zijl (born 23 June 1873)
• Loskop — dedicated to Cornelis Marinus, born 01 January 1896
• Verkykerskop — dedicated to Johannes Hendrik, born 9 October 1896, died 21 May 1898
• Glen Paul — dedicated to Marinus Cornelius, born 20 February 1899
• Mooihoek — dedicated to Johannes Hendrik II, born 6 May 1900
• Tandjesberg — dedicated to Anna Sussanna Elsie Petronella, born 26 July 1901
• Skeurklip — dedicated to Maria Hendrika, born 28 March 1903
• Kerkenberg — dedicated to Aletta Petronella, born 16 August 1904
• Voortrekkerskop — dedicated to Geloudes, born 16 August 1904, died 28 September 1904
• Rensburgskop — dedicated to Catherina Albertina, born 10 November 1905
• Bakerskop — dedicated to Jan Benjamin, born 8 January 1907
• Tafelkop — dedicated to Geloudes II, born 21 January 1909
• Nelsonskop — dedicated to Wilhelm, born 16 January 1910
• Tintwa — dedicated to Wilhelmina, born 14 May 1913
• Tafelkop Johanna Magdalena — dedicated to Johanna Magdalena, born 7 February 1915

ACCOMMODATION – 12 rooms

Luxury Double – 4
Standard – Double – 3
Family – Twin (Double & 2 single) – 2
Self-Catering – 3

DINE & WINE – POIKIE Restaurant – seats 16

The dramatic, vibrant colours of POIKIE Restaurant, with the century-old black pot chandeliers, nostalgic bicycles, and tin cans, invite you to the unique tastes of traditional African three-legged potjie meals. Open for breakfast and dinner by prior arrangement.

RELAX

Sandstone Boma Braai
Africlassic Garden Gym
Africlassic Reading Room
Garden Chess

SECURITY

24 Hour CCTV Surveillance
Secure Parking

CONFERENCING – 1 venues

Huize Sandwijk has 1 meeting and events venue. We can cater for up to 16 people in this section, accommodating small conferences and business meetings.
Platberg Mountain – From 3 to 16 delegates: Size 12 x 3

ENJOY

African Masai Picnic

EXPLORE

AFRIJEEP Adventures & Expeditions (pre-book)
Bird watching & relaxing in the garden
Platberg Mountain Cycling

SERVICES (OTHER)

Credit Card / NO Foreign Exchange
WiFi (complimentary)