N4 "Spookhuis" aka Hazeldean Farm
The Mallesons of the historic dairy farm, Hazeldean, were relatives of the Struben brothers, Hendrik Wilhelm (Harry) and Frederick Pine Theophilus (Fred), who discovered the first gold on the Witwatersrand.
Harry Struben married Mary Cole, daughter of the Reverend William G Cole of Trinity College in Dublin, in 1868. Six of Harry and Mary Struben's seven children were born at The Willows. Harry later also bought the neighboring farm, Hazeldean.
Hazeldean was the southern half of the original farm Zwartkoppies 364 JR. Sammy Marks owned the part of the farm north of the Pienaars River.
When Harry died in 1915, the sons all inherited property and the daughters cash. Their son Arthur inherited Hazeldean, but parts of the farm, such as the part where Silver Lakes and Silver Oaks are today, had already been sold.
Charles Malleson bought Hazeldean in 1944 from his uncle, Arthur Struben. Charles' mother, born Beatrice Struben, was Arthur's sister.
Charles was married to Rhoda, a Kotzé girl, and they had two sons, Harry and Ivan. When the family arrived at Hazeldean, they lived in the old homestead and Charles began to build the large homestead with the Cape Dutch gables. This homestead has become a landmark for travelers over the decades and can be seen from the N4.
Charles farmed on Hazeldean until 1972. After that, his two sons, Harry, married to Anna, a bride Benecke, and Ivan, married to Suzanne, a bride Van der Byl, took over the management of the farm.
They began to focus on the milk of their father's Ayrshire stud and started Milkyway Dairy in November 1978. They also supplied Woolworths.
Harry's son Frederick's involvement in the business began in 2000. Harry and his brother Ivan farmed on Hazeldean until 2008, when they moved the Ayrshire stud to a farm in the Middelburg district and sold shares in the factory. The farm is still running as a dairy farm known as Hazeldean Valley/Cowhouse.
The farm today falls within the city limits and large parts have already been developed as the suburb of Hazeldean.
Today the old farm house stands lonely and forgotten. Large steel doors and cctv cameras ensure this house stays untouched. Would love to know what secrets lie behind those doors.
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