Hermanus is a town where famous people have made their mark. This is also the case with General Jan Smuts.
Two of Smuts’ sisters lived for some time in Hermanus, and Smuts visited the town on numerous occasions.
According to the historian Peter Dickens, Smuts was the Colonel in Chief of Regiment Westelike Provinsie, now re-named The General Jan Smuts Regiment, a regiment which has a long-time association with Hermanus and even has the “freedom of Hermanus”.
“Adriana Martha (Bebas) Smuts, sister of Smuts, retired to Hermanus and served as Mayor of Hermanus from 1941-1946, a significant period of office as this was during the Second World War (1939-1945) whilst her brother was the Prime Minister and war-time leader.
“During the war Hermanus was a radar station and actively involved in the war effort tracking enemy shipping and submarines. Hermanus’ landmark hotels during this period also hosted South African and Allied nation’s soldiers, airmen and seamen either on leave from the war, or medical cases recovering from the stresses of the Second World War, all enjoying Hermanus’ champagne air, hospitality and surrounds,” Dickson said.
This is also why it was appropriate that the book, General Jan Smuts and his first World War in Africa, 1914-1917, by David Brock Katz was launched in Hermanus.
This prestigious event, held by Old Tin Hat Brewery and Johnathan Ball Publishers at Romantiques was well attended.
Guests had the opportunity to find out more about Smuts, and to get to know the author.
