Dirk Renier van Rooyen

VAN ROOYEN Dirk Renier (31 August 1872 - 20 March 1962) x Aletta Margaretha Rinke (9 February 1880 - 12 December 1960) arrived in 1922 by donkey wagon from Vryburg together with four othe families, being, the Trek Leader Jan Hendrik Blignaut and three married Blignaut sons, the convoy consisted of seven wagons. For details see the Jan Blignaut trek. The van Rooyen family planned to settle in the Melsetter area but because of the rampant malaria in that region, decided to settle in the reputedly healthier Enkeldoorn area. They initially settled on Girliesfontein then owned by Rev A. Liebenberg approx 3 miles West of Range. They were accompanied by seven of their children, more were born after arrival at Enkeldoorn.

The older children walked to school, the Enkeldoorn Public school. Before 1933 Church services were held at the old church where the highlights of the congregation were the three monthly Nagmaal services which the van Rooyen family attended by oxwagon transport and camping for about four days, together with their fellow Church members. It was always a particularly joyous period for the younger people and the van Rooyen children enjoyed the companionship