Africa’s only working windmill set sail during its reopening on Saturday 13 April. She was dubbed the “People’s Mill” by its Friends and turned fully restored, in some ways better than ever, to be basked in her former glory.
Friends of the Mostert’s Mill (FoMM) shared this moment with locals and those from abroad who have all contributed to the mill’s restoration, at an intimate celebration.
In good’ol fashion fun – canons were fired, bread was broken and “cheers!” were shared.
Naturally, the bread was made with wheat milled by the Mostert.
FoMM member Andy Selfe, introduced as “the most responsible for its restoration”, shared memories of sheer fun while coordinating the project in response to the wildfires that claimed the Mill on Sunday 18 April 2021 (“Mostert’s Mill to get new life”, People’s Post, 9 November 2021).
“We were obviously very sad in the wake of her ruins, and had no idea what we would do. Then, by luck, we were given the funding by the Rupert family and by Sven’s funding overseas.”
R200 000 was donated by ordinary Capetonians, €5 500 was raised by a European crowd-fund, and the Rupert family offered to cover the remaining balance. The total restoration cost amounted to R3 million.
The project was completed under budget.
This enabled Selfe to look for the very best people who were knowledgeable enough in this particular field machinery and do the various types of work involved.
Also in attendance was Sven Verbeek, Leo Elbers and Gerard van Wijngaarden – affectionately known by the Friends as the three ‘Must-get-heres’. Their investment spoke to the support beyond borders, as they secured new sail cloths and a rare pair of suitable millstones shipped from Rotterdam, not to mention their European crowd-fund contribution.
Expressing his love for windmills, Verbeek said he has known his way around a mill since childhood. “Even before I could talk, I loved to spend time in a mill. My first two words were ‘mom’ and ‘mill’,” he said.
Selfe detailed efforts poured into the mill and its moving parts thanks to every John, woodworker, blacksmith and stonemason. With this lot, passionate concerted efforts saw the first make-over unveiled before other lost local gems, such as the University of Cape Town Library and the Rhodes Tea Garden.
“The exciting thing is, this and previous restorations of the mill, will be captured in a book. The International Molinological Society agreed to publish this history in a book distributed to all members subscribed across the world,” Selfe announced as the society’s sole South African member.
Then, “Pilot” John Hammer continued reminiscing about how he joined the formation of the Friends in 1993, including his involvement in the previous ‘95 restoration: “There were four millwrights that came from the Netherlands, incidently from the firm Dunning Bremer from whence the man Chris Bremer came in 1935.
“With the 1995 restoration we decided that it must be a working mill and not just a pretty thing, which was the mistake they did in 1935. It was only to be used on ceremonial occasions, but any mill not worked regularly will within 10 years start falling apart.”
This then led to a man called André Bakker also coming from the Netherlands to teach three men, including Hammer, to work the mill.
“I am the only one left of those three who can work the mill, so you’d better look after me,” he joked and added, “but I’ve passed on this knowledge to at least six new millers, and hopefully now with this restoration, we can create even more interest in the mill.”
Volunteers are welcomed by the Friends, as its restoration is solely to the thanks of those who offered valuable time and energy dedicated to ensure its continuing future.
“No one is under any obligation. You come and enjoy yourself. This whole project working the mill is a joyful one that brought us all together.
“People ask me whether I’m proud… I’m not proud as it’s one of the seven deadly sins to me. I’m pleased – absolutely pleased – at what we’ve achieved.”
He hailed the comradery among the men and women that worked together, adding: “Every man that worked on the mill is a good guy.”
For an in-depth study of this final restoration chapter, visit the FoMM’s website: https://mostertsmill.co.za/blog/
