Dagbreek
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Dagbreek, also known as “John Murray Huis” (named after the founder John Murray of the school of theology at the University of Stellenbosch) or “Huis van Roem en Faam” (“House of Renown and Fame”) is the biggest and, although second oldest, first-to-be-built male residence in Africa situated at the heart of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Dagbreek has been home to thousands of students at the University of Stellenbosch since it’s beginning in 1921.Residents belonging to Dagbreek are called “Dawners”, “Daggies” or “Dagbrekers”.
The Building
Dagbreek’s building style is truly unique in that there are no passages; rather Dagbreek is built in the form of a square and consists of seventeen occupied sections with four rooms and a bathroom on each floor. Students commencing in their third year of study live in sections one to seven, which form the “Seniorhuis” (Senior house). The “Juniorhuis” (Junior house) - sections eight to eighteen – is for students in their first and second years of study. Section 16 is the dining hall. This building style resulted in each section having its own unique character and traditions. The continual competition between sections is a characteristic of the residence’s day-to-day existence.
Wynand Louw is the architect of Dagbreek. Building started in 1920 and finished in 1921, but the building only contained sections one to seven. JD Conradie was the first resident and in it’s first year of existence, Dagbreek consisted of only 27 residents. Initially each resident had to prepare his own food, but this system did not work well at all and in 1925 building started with sections eight to eighteen. The new area included the dining hall, as well as a recreation hall. This recreation hall, “Vishol Park”, was named after two former residents – Visser and Hollenbach – who set up a table tennis record there. Other rooms include the TV room, the HC-House Committee-room, prayer room, poolroom, washroom, a tuck shop, a club and the archive. Dagbreek also has it’s own gym.
The Eiffel
When one enters the front door and move through the portal, you are immediately encapsulated by a square, known as the Quad. This forms the heart of Dagbreek’s activities and existence. The very first thing that you will notice is the all-too-famous symbol standing in the middle: The Eiffel. The Eiffel is the undistinguished symbol of Dagbreek. The Eiffel has been Dagbreek’s official symbol since it’s birth in 1921. It appears on Dagbreek’s crest. This symbol also serves as the name for Dagbreek’s official publication – “Die Eiffel” – the res’ third rugby team – “Die Eiffels” - and their choir group – “Die Eiffelkoor” .
Long before the seventies the Eiffel already had meaning to the “Huis van Roem en Faam”. The initial Eiffel was built by Koos du Pisani as part of the float march of 1954. This representation of the French Department was chosen as the best entry. After the march the Eiffel received the place of honor in the middle of the Quad. In 1958, under the leadership of Willie Esterhuyse, the model was replaced with a replica. The current Eiffel was built in 1962 by Roelf Hollenbach and Jan du Preez. In 2004, after years of service on the Quad, a new Eiffel (designed and built by Fanie and Abie Nel) in celebration of the original’s fiftieth commemoration was put up. Dagbreek and the Eiffel are inextricably linked.
Former Residents
The past eighty-five years saw many Dawners appreciate both South African and international fame.
On the sporting field, Dagbreek has produced a number of South African national athletes. Famous rugby players included Dawie Snyman, Jan Boland Coetzee, Kobus Burger, Faffa Knoetze, Colin Beck, Louis Koen, Kat Myburgh and Gaffie du Toit. Further on there were Tony Leon (former Springbok gymnast), Danie Malan and De Villiers Lambrecht (the first South African to run the dream mile), all Dawners on their day.
Dagbreek not only delivered sporting heroes though. Various writers and artists also lived a share of their life in Dagbreek. WA de Klerk, FA Venter, Ettienne le Roux, Uys Krige, Ernst van Heerden, HB Thom, Mike de Vries and Bun Booyens are some of the names.Bands that had their start in Dagbreek or members of bands residing there are DNA Strings, Zinkplaat, Dikazzins and Scoup to mention only a few. Also on political level, Dagbreek made an impact. Former ministers include Dr Tertius Delport, Dr Gawie de Villiers as well as former presidents of The Republic of South Africa BJ Vorster and Dr HF Verwoerd.
There are as much as three generations of singularly distinctive families who resided in Dagbreek.
