for now, tonight
(and maybe a few more)
this is your place

there is history here
a story to tell...

when you kicked off your shoes
you became part of it as well

***

back in ‘86
a city boy and a farm girl met

life happened

they studied, engineers,
produced two children (after a few years)
landed in a world of platinum and chrome
made it their home

in ’89, Oupa Corney was less than fine
the family went to Cape Town
stayed in ‘the Kerkhuis’
to be close to oupa and his new heart...
his brand new start

a haven
- next to the hospital -
for family and kin

what a win
inspiration

eleven years later, 2000
Rustenburg's first Ons Dorpshuis
Kockstreet, mid town

2002 afforded no rest
another Dorpshuis
this time in the west

Ons Dorpshuis 1 had land to spare
in 2003 Ons Dorpshuis 3
then 4,
built right there

in 2005 Ons Dorpshuis 5
a home for the team
birds and trees
sanctuary
salvation
dream

a perfect square
symmetrical, see through, safe
castle on the corner of Kloof and Fourth
our first four star rooms
a view to the north

from the castle balcony
a ‘for sale’ sign over the road

more expansion!

Ons Dorpshuis 6
the magic again

then, empty land
to the east
desperate for an extending hand

2008
Ons Dorpshuis 7
business facilities
rendezvous and meetings
return guests, blessings and greetings

2010, Soccer World Cup
a place in the world
privilege
and pride

2011, Ons Dorpshuis 8
amazing place
ramps, rails and open space
interesting, inspirational
guests
with wheels

12 years later
we see the gems,
right under our feet
Ons Dorpshuis 1!
back, again
dream, extend, refine, repeat

August 1, 2012
more bulldozers
more growth

Ons Dorpshuis 9
what a life!

***

a village
a home
somewhere to return to

from hobby to business,
now a life over flowing…

retro radios, quilts
the mirror collection,
sculptures, furniture
small bits of reflection

people and things
all in one place

this wonderful space

called home

PS:

25 years have passed since that first family trip.

Oupa Corney is alive and well. 77 years old, he is one of South Africa's longest living heart transplant recipients.