SCHALK WILLEM VORSTER
2/3/1890 - 9/7/1975
CHAMPION STUD BREEDER
(BREEDER OF PURE WANGANELLAS)
BUFFELSVLEI, MIDDELBURG, CAPE PROVINCE
MR.S.W. VORSTER, JUN.
A very fine type of the young sportsman-farmer in the Middelburg district is Mr. Schalk W. Vorster, jun of the well-known farm, Buffelsvlei. Born on March 2nd, 1890, on the farm Grootfontein - Now the School of Agriculture - He is the eldest son of Mr. Schalk W. Vorster, sen.
Schalk W. Vorster sen.(1869-1934)
and his wife Hester Cornelia (1870 - 1912)
My grandfather as an infant 1891.
Sitting in a Buggy with his father mid 1890's.
Pic taken approx 1896.
Posing with his sister "Martie".
(From the studio of Isaac A. Sutherland,
Art Photographer,
Philipolis, O.F.S.)
Both his grandfather and father had bred stock at Grootfontein. His father later moved to Buffelsvlei, where he maintained stud sheep and ostriches. Mr. Vorster, sen, was one of the pioneers of irrigation in the Karroo, and he built one of the largest private dams in existance in the Middelburg area. he was prior to his retirement, a leading reeder of shep, and won numerous prizes at shows in the Midlands and at Port Elizabeth both with exhibits of sheep and with ostrich feathers.
It was at the French Hoek Boys School that Mr. Vorster jun. received his education, and at this institution, situated amidst the most delightful surroundings and nestling at the foot of the Groot Drakenstein Mountains, he established for himself a high reputation as a versatile young sportsmen. He played a good game of lawn tenis, won several prizes at athletic meetings, showed speed in the water, was a very fair rifle shot, and achieved the distinction of being classed as the best boxer in the school. However it was at Rugby that he excelled, and he not only played centre three-quarter for the French Hoek fifteen, but also represented the Country Districts. Later he played for the Middelburg fifteen for several years. To-day he finds recreation in tennis, and whenever occasion offers he is out on the veld, with gun or rifle, after game.
Towards the beginning of 1910 Mr. Vorster started farming on part of his father's holding at Buffelsvlei, and he was further accepted into a partnership with his father as regards sheep.
From the UNITED FARMER
28 August 1934
He imported class rams from Australia in 1912, and he built up a stud of flock of such class that it is now regarded as one of the finest in a area where such a distinction is indeed an enviable one.
The continuity of Mr. Vorster's breeding activities was rudely interrupted by the Great War.
In Officer's uniform wearing the insignia of the 1st South African
Infantry Brigade on the Western Front & France.
Early in 1914 this popular young farmer had qualified at Tempe, and when the war broke out he proceeded across the Kalahari with the 14th Mounted troops, in which unit he held commissioned rank. As a result of poisoning he was evacuated from the field , and after having convalesced at Wynberg Hospital he proceeded overseas. He served for two years with various units on the Western Front, and when the armistice was signed he held the rank of Captain.
1914/15 Star, British War Medal & bilingual Victory Medal
named to Lieutenant S.W. Vorster.
Naming on the 1915/15 Star for German SouthWest Africa.
(KAROO SCHUTTERS/14th MOUNTED RIFLES)
Mr Vorster then returned to South Africa, and with gladness proceeded to gather together again the threads of the pattern which he had been endeavouring to weave prior to the War. His father now retired and the keen young breeder continued to improve his stud by a judicious culling and the admisture of only the best blood procurable.
The result of acumen, sheep-sense and clever principles of breeding is now manifest. Breeders from all over the Union purchase his stock, and he obtains as much as £700 for his rams. At the four leading sheeps shows in South Africa he has won premier prizes consistantly, including grand championships for rams, and grand championships and reserve grand championships for ewes.
At one period Mr. Vorster bred thoroughbred horses, and his father did likewise with Frieslands, but now sheep are the only animals in which he is interested. He is an acknowledged expert on the sheep , and when not exhibiting has judged at leading shows throughout the Union.
Naurally Mr. Vorster is associated prominently with anything that pertains to the interests of breeders, and he was one of the founders of the Middelburg Agricultural Society and also one of the conveners of the council of the Wool Breeders Association of South Africa. He is also a member of the Cape Province Judge's Association.
Birmingham Silver & enamel
(Numbered "45")
In June 1921, Mr. Vorster was married to Mrs Margaret Lategan, daughter of the Burghersdorp farmer, Mr. Ignatius Lategan. He has issue one son and two daughters, Mrs Vorster is a good lawn tennis player, akeen horticulturist and specializes in poultry. A member of the women's section of the Agricultural Society, she has won many prizes with her Orpingtons.
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