Hofmeyr is located in the Karoo. The village came into existence when travellers from Middelburg, Cradock, Molteno, Tarkastad and Steynsburg began to use it as a place of relaxation in the 1870s. Over time, an extension with 5 gates arose, with a police office. The routes from the towns to Hofmeyr are just far enough that a team of oxen takes a day trip to reach Hofmeyr. Hofmeyr is still a passage. In 1873, 3 local brothers, the Marais brothers, made available a piece of land, Pramkoppenleegte, at the foot of the Prammenkoppen. A large dam on the farm would serve as town water for many years, and lead turns in water streets were also a common practice. The NG Church in Hofmeyr (then Maraisburg) was built in 1874, and later rebuilt, when the congregation grew so much by 1933 that the original building became too small. The new church was built in the middle of the depression and was paid for in cash on the day of the opening. What is worth noting is that some of the previous churchgoers insisted that they sit in the new church, or in the same place as they sat in the old church, and the church, therefore, stands slightly crooked in the yard, in order to meet this requirement to be able to comply. Hofmeyr's people have always been pointy, it seems. The first train ran through Hofmeyr in 1912. Since 1876 there has been a small school here, with the current…
Hofmeyr is located in the Karoo. The village came into existence when travellers from Middelburg, Cradock, Molteno, Tarkastad and Steynsburg began to use it as a place of relaxation in the 1870s. Over time, an extension with 5 gates arose, with a police office. The routes from the towns to Hofmeyr are just far enough that a team of oxen takes a day trip to reach Hofmeyr. Hofmeyr is still a passage.
In 1873, 3 local brothers, the Marais brothers, made available a piece of land, Pramkoppenleegte, at the foot of the Prammenkoppen. A large dam on the farm would serve as town water for many years, and lead turns in water streets were also a common practice.
The NG Church in Hofmeyr (then Maraisburg) was built in 1874, and later rebuilt, when the congregation grew so much by 1933 that the original building became too small. The new church was built in the middle of the depression and was paid for in cash on the day of the opening. What is worth noting is that some of the previous churchgoers insisted that they sit in the new church, or in the same place as they sat in the old church, and the church, therefore, stands slightly crooked in the yard, in order to meet this requirement to be able to comply. Hofmeyr's people have always been pointy, it seems.
The first train ran through Hofmeyr in 1912. Since 1876 there has been a small school here, with the current school buildings built in 1912 from sandstone from the Bamboesberge.
The tarmac road (R390) to Cradock and Steynsburg is a provincial route, and it was completed from 1972-1976 and is currently being rebuilt, over the next three years.
Hofmeyr is currently a small community with only 80 inhabitants in the town and about 200 in the district, and in the neighborhoods around the town there are a population of 5,700. But during Christmas times this number triples. There are almost no job opportunities here and many immigrants work in cities and only come home at Christmas time. There are many families here that are cared for by the elderly because the grandchildren's parents work elsewhere. This creates its own logistical problems because these grandparents sometimes have up to 16 grandchildren at home.
The institution Hofmeyr Hugs of Hope serves as a training and job creation institution. The elderly and children who experience shortages are looked after, and job opportunities are also sought for young people with the necessary qualifications who want to enter the wider world. This institution also operates extensive self-sufficient vegetable gardens, and there is a large sewing room where women earn an income for themselves. This establishment is run by volunteers from the small community, and has been active full-time in the area for 8 years. Surrounding towns also benefit from their activities.
Neighbouring Towns
Distances below are the most popular roads, sometimes dirt and sometimes tar.