Chairmen Mr A P Smith 1923-1926 Mr H P Hancke 1926-1956 Mr J H W Jacosz (Sn) 1956-1962 Mr J S Smit 1962-1971 Mr J J Wentzel 1971-1979 Mr G S Schoombee 1979Consistency was a feature of OTK and one can hardly find better proof of this than the fact that OTK in the past 56 years has had only 6 Chairmen. None of them was ever voted out – all resigned due to bodily strength decline, or due to call of other duties. Each one left a mark, yet none would call fame to himself. For them it was a period of service with other board members, their contribution was just part of the collective contribution. They all possess gift to win trust, and keep it. Board of Directors OTK’s planners, is the Board of Directors, elected at annual meetings where only active farmers and members are voting. Area served Today OTK serves 16 000 members on a range of 10 630 000 hectares. The area extends from Lothair in east to the west in Vereeniging, Marble Hall in the north to Wakkerstroom in the south. Voortrekkerswinkels (Koӧperatief) Beperk 1939-1979 [voortrekkers Stores (Co-operative) Limited] Voortrekkerwinkels (koӧperatief) Beperk inception was indeed a humble and modest effort of a small number of consumers of Bethal. The lack of Sale Places in town (as it was known in the early thirties), had a sale location, on a cooperative model necessitated. The Co-operative Society was founded by a mere 29 users on 24 June 1936, and was registered on October 7, 1936. It exceeded expectations, and developed into a colossus which became the epitome of those who felt the need for it. By means of the 1936 OTK board, a building was made available to the sister co-operative. On 10 December 1936 the trading of Voortrekkerswinkels started. After this, OTK continued with the erection of the building, solely for Voortrekkerwinkels. Mr Gerhard Moerdyk of the Voortrekker monument-fame was the architect. During the official opening on 25 November 1939, the following messages were delivered: The late Dr J D Kestel: “Unite, unite, with God of our fathers in view”. The late Dr M S Louw: (Sanlam): “May your Association deliver an increasing contribution to the economic raising up of Afrikaner people”. Sonop, Bloemfontein: “Our small nation pull-pull yet forward. We are grateful and proud of you”. The late Dr H F Verwoerd (previous Prime Minister): “Each new Afrikaner business helps build on the economic independent of the Afrikanerdom”. Adv C R Swart (first State President): “May this memorable day for Afrikaners of Bethal and environs, serve as an urge on and inspiration”. Initially Voortrekkerswinkels were housed in a building with OTK Limited commercial department, on the corner of Plein (now Eufees) and Du Plooy streets. Property was bought for R2 000. J J A Schoeman, OTK lawyer assisted with the completion of the two deeds of sale. Santam bought and OTK bought from Santam at the same price while OTK was only responsible for the cost of the two transactions. 87
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