Gerard Moerdijk
Gerard Moerdijk, a South African architect best known for designing the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, was born in the Waterberg district on the 4th of March 1890.
The first South African to be invited to join the Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Moerdijk is considered one of our country’s best architects and was awarded an honorary membership by The South African Academy for Arts and Science in 1936 and a honorary doctorate by the University of South Africa in 1950.
Moerdijk went to the Pretoria Boys High School. After returning from his studies overseas he started his own practice and received more than eighty commissions to design churches, as well as the Reserve Bank in Bloemfontein, the Libertas building in Pretoria (now known as Mahlamba Ndlopfu) and the Old Merensky Building (home to the Edoardo Villa Museum) at the University of Pretoria.
In 1924, Moerdijk decided it was time to build a home for him and his family, which then consisted of his wife and two children. This home, that took Moerdjik over a year to finish, is well-known to truly reflect Moerdijk’s personality. His classical architectural education in Europe (1909-1913), his interpretation of a South African style, his use of local materials, his sense of proportion, and his attention to detail is clearly evident in this architectural gem.
Moerdijk also designed various elements of furniture unique to the house. The house was declared a national monument in 1986.
The house has an unparalleled view of the Union Buildings and many say the house’s swimming pool was the first private pool in Pretoria.
Today, the current owners are his grandson, Gerard Moerdijk Vermeulen (architect), and his wife Dorette. They have turned the house into a guesthouse in order to enable access to the monument, while ensuring economic sustainability of this national asset.
The idea to build a monument in honour of the Voortrekkers was first discussed on 16 December 1888 by President Paul Kruger.
It was only in 1931 when the Sentrale Volksmonumentekomitee (SVK) (Central People’s Monuments Committee) was formed to bring this idea to fruition.
Gerard Moerdjik’s submission was chosen as the design of the monument and construction started on 13 July 1937. The Monument was inaugurated on 16 December 1949 by prime minister D. F. Malan.
Moerdjik continued working as an architect for almost 8 years after the inauguration of the Voortrekker Monument.
He moved to his farm in Nylstroom with his wife Sylva, where he died on the 29th of March 1958 at the age of 68.
Voortrekker Monument |