Nicolaas (“Kosie”) van den Berg
Introduction
Nicolaas van den Berg, known to family and friends as Kosie, was a respected farmer, church elder, and veteran of the Anglo-Boer War. He grew up on the farm Leeupoort near present-day Fochville and spent his entire life farming and serving his community.
As a young boy, he experienced the hardships of war firsthand. Despite being only thirteen years old, he left home to join the Boer forces and served as a young dispatch rider (“penkop”) under General Koos de la Rey during the Anglo-Boer War. Throughout his life he remained deeply religious, actively serving on the Church Council of the Hervormde Church in Fochville for many years.
Family members remembered him as a dignified and respected man with a fine sense of humour, strong Christian values, and remarkable physical vitality well into old age.
Born in the South African Republic circa 1887.
At approximately thirteen years of age, Kosie left home and joined the Boer forces during the Anglo-Boer War.
He served as a young rider (“penkop”) under General Koos de la Rey. Family tradition recalls that during one engagement he fell asleep beneath an ox wagon while Boer forces withdrew ahead of advancing British troops. An uncle later returned and rescued him. His horse was named Beaufort.
According to family accounts, he was involved in military operations associated with the famous scout and commander Danie Theron.
At one stage he was apparently captured or detained by British forces. Family tradition recalls that he escaped after being released by the British.
Kosie grew up on the farm Leeupoort near Fochville. He later built his own house on the farm and established himself as a farmer.
He married Anna Elizabeth Pretorius Fochville, born 22 Sep 1901, in the Ducth reformed Church. They had one child:
- Cornelia Aletta born 20 Aug 1928
His wife was a direct descendant of the Pretorius family and was remembered as a great-granddaughter of Commandant-General Andries Pretorius.
For many years Kosie served on the Church Council of the Hervormde Church in Fochville, where he was highly respected within the congregation.
He purchased 8 March 1932, the farm Leeupoort No. 91, Portion 105 of Driefontein.
The original purchase documents remained in family possession. Kosie spent his entire working life farming. For many years his primary means of transport was a horse-drawncart. He only purchased his first motor vehicle in 1946, a white Chevrolet.
He eventually sold part of the Leeupoort property to the East Driefontein Mine.
Family members recalled that even at the age of seventy-four he remained exceptionally active. Kobie van den Berg remembered being chased around the house by his grandfather and being unable to outrun him.
His wife died 12 Jun 1968; she was buried in Fochville. Kosie moved to Randfontein, where he lived with his son MC.A. van den Berg and his family.
He passed away 3 Mar 1971 in Randfontein. He had a long and respected life.
| Year | |
| c. 1887 | Nicolaas (“Kosie”) van den Berg born. |
| 1899 | At approximately 13 years of age, left home and joined the Boer forces during the Anglo-Boer War. |
| 1899–1902 | Served as a young rider (“penkop”) under General Koos de la Rey. Family tradition states that he participated in operations associated with Danie Theron. |
| c. 1902 | Returned to civilian life following the war and resumed farming activities. |
| Early 1900s | Established himself on the farm Leeupoort near Fochville and built his own house. |
| Married and started a family. | |
| Many years | Served on the Church Council of the Hervormde Church in Fochville. |
| 8 Mar 1932 | Purchased Leeupoort No. 91, Portion 105 of Driefontein |
| 1946 | Purchased his first motor vehicle, a white Chevrolet. Until then his primary means of transport had been a horse-drawn cart. |
| Later years | Sold part of the Leeupoort property to East Driefontein Mine. |
| After wife’s death | Moved to Randfontein and lived with his son C.A. van den Berg and family. |
| 9 Jun 1968 | His wife passed away and was buried in Fochville |
| 1982 | Passed away after a long life devoted to farming, family, church service, and community. |
Documents & Evidence
- Farm purchase document for Leeupoort No. 91, Portion 105 of Driefontein, dated 8 March 1932.
- Family accounts concerning service under General Koos de la Rey during the Anglo-Boer War.
- Family recollections regarding involvement in operations associated with Danie Theron.
- Records of service on the Church Council of the Hervormde Church, Fochville.
- South African Identity Number recorded by the family: 354 821404 W.
- Family records relating to the sale of land to East Driefontein Mine.
Open Questions
- Can military records be located to confirm Kosie’s service under General Koos de la Rey?
- Can evidence be found linking him directly to Danie Theron’s command or operations?
- Can the exact date and place of birth be confirmed through civil or church records?
- Can church archives provide documentation of his years of service on the Fochville Church Council?
- Can the Leeupoort property purchase and subsequent sale to East Driefontein Mine be fully documented?
- Can additional information be obtained regarding his wife and her documented descent from the Pretorius family?