In April 1964 Voortrekkerwinkels bought yet another land at Eufees Street. The Association’s architect designed plans for the extension of the Women’s division as well as two floors for staff accommodation. The building was completed and occupied in 1966. Mr Steyn’s existing land on Eufees Street was In September 1943 Voortrekkerswinkels bought the building for R17 600 from OTK. In 1955 the adjacent land of Mr H S Steyn was bought and in 1959 the existing extended building was used. It was also the first self-service store in Bethal. purchased by OTK and Voortrekkerwinkels in May 1972, and a portion of the existing building was with minor changes, by Voortrekkerwinkels used for spreading its furniture division. The total floor area for Head Office at Bethal, already covered 7 500 m2. The branches in Secunda, Kriel and Middelburg contributed to the service delivery of Association’s 6 000 members. Die Transvaalse Aartappelkoӧperasie Beperk (The Transvaal Potato Co-operation Limited) The initiative and determination of a group of Bethal potato farmers saw to it that Bethal, in addition to “maize-centre”, also became seat of organised potato-farming and – marketing in Transvaal. That there was a necessary approach in potato trade, was made apparent by the fact that within the period of six months, two potato cooperations were formed. The On the evening of 11 November 1963 Mr Hirschowitz was appointed as the first and only Chairman of the Co-operation, and Mr Pieterse as the Secretary. Other members present were: Messrs J S Smit, E Hirschowitz, H B Hirschowitz, G M J Slabber, I Goldberg and Public Accountant Mr J H Hugo. Altogether 700 shares, of R1, 00 each were Hoëveldse Aartappelkoӧperasie (Highveld Potato Co-operation) was established on 11 November 1963 at Bethal and the Dendronse Aartappelkoӧperasie and became (Dendronse Potato Cooperation) on 29 April 1964. In 1966 the two, merged together Transvaalse Aartappelkoӧperasie Beperk (Transvaal’s Potato Cooperation Limited), with head office in Bethal. The driving force behind initial Highveld’s Cooperation was Messrs Isaac Hirschowitz and Hennie Pieterse. taken up that evening by those present. Each paid up R10, 00. According to the register Mr H J Pieterse of Dorsfontein, Bethal was the overall first shareholder of the Hoëveld Aartapelskoӧperasie. The first board meeting was held on December 21, 1965. The seven founding members had decided that, once the membership has increased sufficiently, they would retire so that a new Board is elected. On January 7, 1964, with membership of 74, the special meeting was held. Fifty-nine members were present. Mr Hennie Pieterse Mr Isaac Hirschowitz 88
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