Finding a venue with an authentic sense of style outside Johannesburg has always proved challenging for the city's inhabitants. For whatever reason, beyond the city, there's an oversupply of hospitality destinations that miss the boat on design, architecture, originality and a sense of place. So, when Kleine Rijke opened its doors in Hartbeespoort in 2018, we couldn't help but sigh with relief.
While the venue took shape in the minds of creators Jasmyn Pretorius and furniture designer David Krynauw (of David Krynauw Ontwerp fame) before it found an address or physical form, much of its narrative is circular, kept within the family, with a reverence for heritage and history. Armed with a concept and a logo but nowhere to begin putting down roots, it was Jasmyn's sister's upcoming wedding that became the catalyst.
When the realisation dawned that the 35-year-old shed on the historic Pretorius family farm edging the Hartbeespoort Dam couldn't accommodate a reception of 200 people, they decided to demolish the shed, build a new structure, and do it within the three months before the wedding.
"This was the perfect solution to both the wedding dilemma and creating a space to start our new venture," says Jasmyn.
Despite the time constraints, continual rains and a dwindling budget to grapple with, they managed to create an award-winning venue that sensitively honours the past and the future.
It's very much a family affair at Kleine Rijke. The buildings - which include a remarkable arched open-sided timber chapel and two Cape Dutch-style modern buildings - were designed by Jasmyn and David, together with his sister, Anso Pollard at Khanya Architects, and a local construction team which was overseen by Jasmyn's father, Dries Pretorius.
THEN:
The farm, established in 1853, follows the family line five generations back to Andries Pretorius, a prominent name in Boer history; a Voortrekker leader and the eponym of Pretoria.
"The main house was built where the Hartbeespoort Dam is today. When construction on the dam began, the house was demolished and rebuilt where it is now," says Jasmyn.
"During this period, the settlers lived in tents on the property and the first thing they built was an oven to cook in."
NOW:
Today the original house stands alongside the new structures with an electrifying tension: the new buildings, designed with hallmark Cape Dutch-inspired roof structures, speak to the original gables on the old.
But the former are filled with light, their bones (a multitude of open timber trusses in Eucalyptus Saligna created by David and his team) left exposed and full of the tell-tale organic curvature of David's work.
That same Eucalyptus is grown by David's father on his farm in Piet Retief and is used to produce his award-winning, heritage-inspired but future embracing pieces of furniture seen in the main building.
THE NEW NOW:
If you're keen for a day trip out of Joburg to the countryside (let's be honest, who isn't?), you can make a Sunday booking and claim your table in the shade of ancient trees overlooking the Hartbeespoort Dam.
The current menu consists of a small selection of wood-fired pizzas and cold drinks (no alcohol) and is a laid-back, picnic-style affair that meets the demands of their small family-run kitchen. To complete the circle, the wood firing happens in the original clay oven built by the settlers.
THE FUTURE:
"We are in the planning stages of converting the old farmhouse into a guest house. David is working on the development of a pod, so accommodation is in the pipeline. We also have dreams of jazz, music festivals, art exhibitions, indabas, cooking classes and workshops," says Jasmyn. Enough said.
