The farm Vlakfontein, originally in excess of 2000 hectare and presently 572 hectare,  was established in 1865 when the first title deed was registered in the name of Frederik Jacobus Mare, great grand-father of Frederik, who is still living on the farm. (See also Farm History.)  The first structure on the farm was a stone and earth  cottage of  48 m2,  presently hosting an old ox wagon.

The old kraal for cattle was also erected the same time against a slope in view of the cottage.

The cottage soon became too small, and a more spacious house was built close by with a lean-to storage room and stable. A section was  converted to a residence for a manager. The remaining portion is presently being used as a shed for farm equipment.

Before the Anglo-Boer War a still larger homestead was erected,  but destroyed during the War. It was re-built in 1908 and later further enlarged. It is still in use by the owners and family. The early residents and relatives were buried on the farm in the family graveyard.

The rest of the farm structures consist of out-buildings, viz. sleeping quarters for workers, storage facilities, chicken house, kraal, etc.

The old canal water system was up-graded to a pumping and pipe-line  reticulation network from the eye of the spring to the farmhouse, employee housing, chalets, and cattle watering troughs. Three fase Eskom electricity is available. A Sentech (FM radio) antennae, as well as  a Telkom line, Vodacom and MTN base stations service the farm. Roads consist of farm roads regularly maintained. Refuse and sewage management is properly taken care of.  (See “Environment” on this web-site.)

The clean and neat farmyard, as part of a farm infrastructure, is characteristically alive with poultry, viz. geese, duck, turkey, peacock, chicken creating a real rural ambience and attraction for children.

♣