SUCCESS PROJECT: THE SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION OF "DIE HELDE AKKER" AT VREDENDAL CEMETERY
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IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE FALLEN HEROES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN PARATROOPERS AND SPECIAL FORCES
The successful restoration of "Die Helde Akker" at the Vredendal Cemetery stands as a meaningful act
of respect, remembrance and preservation.
THIS PROJECT WAS UNDERTAKEN IN HONOUR OF TWO ELITE SOUTH AFRICAN SOLDIERS:
CPL. SERVAAS DE KOCK – 1 Parachute Battalion,
and CAPT. BRAHAM "KOKKIE" DE KOCK – Recces/Special Forces.
The restoration of this sacred area was not merely a physical clean-up or beautification project.
It was a personal and heartfelt act of remembrance, carried out with pride and deep respect for those who served.
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT:
"Die Helde Akker" required urgent attention, restoration and proper care.
The site needed to be cleaned, painted, restored, secured and presented in a manner worthy of the soldiers whose memory it represents.
The project included cleaning, painting, repairing and beautification.
The work was carried out by MR. JOHAN THIART – ECHO COMPANY 82/84, 1 Parachute Battalion, and funded by MR. MIKE BOLHUIS – CHARLIE COMPANY 1979, 1 Parachute Battalion.
The project was approached with the values that define the paratrooper brotherhood: honour, respect, loyalty, commitment, discipline and love.
THE MEN BEHIND THE MEMORY
Die Helde Akker at Vredendal Cemetery stands in honour of two members of the De Kock family who served South Africa in uniform: CAPT. ABRAHAM JACOBUS PETRUS "BRAHAM/KOKKIE" DE KOCK AND CPL. SERVAAS DE KOCK.
CAPT. BRAHAM "KOKKIE" DE KOCK served in the South African Special Forces/Recces and died on 30 November 1981 during “Operasie Kerslig”, also known as Operation Candle Light. “Operasie Kerslig” was part of a highly dangerous military operation in and around Luanda, Angola, where South African forces targeted strategic infrastructure. According to the family material and historical clippings provided, CAPT. DE KOCK was part of the team involved in the operation and was killed when an explosive device/mine detonated prematurely.
CPL. SERVAAS DE KOCK served in the Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein and died on 15 October 1982. His memory, together with that of his brother Braham, forms part of the reason why the restoration of Die Helde Akker carries such deep personal and historical meaning.
The photographs and descriptions provided by the De Kock family do more than record military service. They show sons, brothers, soldiers and loved ones whose lives were cut short, but whose memory continues to live on through their family, fellow soldiers and the broader veteran community.
For this reason, the restoration of Die Helde Akker was not only a physical clean-up or beautification project, it was an act of remembrance —
a way of restoring dignity to the resting place of two men whose service and sacrifice should not be forgotten.
Photos provided by the family can be viewed at the end of this project.
PURPOSE OF THE RESTORATION:
The purpose of this project was to restore dignity to Die Helde Akker and to ensure that the resting place and memorial area of these two elite soldiers receive the respect it deserves.
The project was undertaken to ensure that the site remains protected and maintained and to preserve the military heritage connected to 1 Parachute Battalion, the Special Forces and the broader South African veteran community.
PROJECT LEADERSHIP AND FUNDING:
The restoration work was undertaken by MR. JOHAN C THIART of Echo Company 82/84, 1 Parachute Battalion.
MR. THIART accepted responsibility for the physical restoration of the site and committed himself to completing the work to the best of his ability.
He also undertook to continue visiting and maintaining the site on a regular basis from his residence in Calvinia.
The project was funded by MR. MIKE BOLHUIS of Charlie Company 1979, 1 Parachute Battalion, who took responsibility for all expenditures, costs incurred and the overall funding required to make the restoration possible.
Recognition of the significant contributions made by Mr. Thiart and Mr. Bolhuis is reflected through the installation of commemorative signage at the site.
THE RESTORATION WORK:
The project was not completed under easy circumstances.
The weather in Vredendal was difficult, with continuous rain and strong winds.
The restoration required careful planning, repairing and hard physical work.
The work included cleaning the area, painting and restoring visible structures, general beautification, securing the area, placing and arranging proper recognition signage, and ensuring that the site was neat, respectful and presentable.
The project was completed within 1 week.
SIGNAGE AND RECOGNITION:
An important part of the restoration was the mounting of signage, ensuring that the wording was correct and dignified, uniform and appropriate for the significance of the site.
All signage, including the wording, placement and general design thereof, was directed by MR. MIKE BOLHUIS.
The boards were designed with black lettering on silver and placed securely in the entrance area.
SECURITY AND CONTROLLED ACCESS:
After the restoration, the site was secured.
Access to “Die Helde Akker” would be strictly controlled, with keys kept by MR. JOHAN THIART, as well as his surviving brother, MR. JOS DE KOCK, and sister, MRS. ANNEKE DU PLESSIS (née De Kock).
This ensures that the site remains protected and that future access takes place responsibly and respectfully.
FUTURE MAINTENANCE:
A restoration project is only truly successful if the site continues to be maintained.
MR. JOHAN THIART undertook to visit “Die Helde Akker” on a regular basis from Calvinia to inspect and maintain the site.
The intention is to ensure that the area remains neat, secure and dignified.
This commitment gives the project long-term value and ensures that the restoration does not become a once-off effort, but an ongoing act of remembrance.
Photos of how it looked before restoration:
Photos of how it looked during and after the restoration:
Photos provided by the family of the men behind the memory:
BRAHAM (KOKKIE) - ABRAHAM JACOBUS PETRUS DE KOCK
Born: 6/10/1958
Died: 30/11/1981
SERVAAS DE KOCK
Born: 23/1/1962
Died: 15/10/1982
BROADER RESTORATION VISION FOR ALL FALLEN SOUTH AFRICAN PARATROOPERS (PARABATS):
This project also highlights the reality that many similar military memorial sites, remembrance areas and heritage gravesites across South Africa have become extremely neglected over time.
These sites represent sacrifice, service and national military heritage, and they deserve to be preserved with dignity and respect.
The broader aim is therefore not limited to "Die Helde Akker" alone, but also to assist, where possible, with the restoration, preservation and respectful maintenance of other similar neglected memorial sites in future.
IN CONCLUSION REGARDING THIS PROJECT:
This project shows the respect, the brotherhood and remembrance of the South African Parabats (AIRBORNE, EX ALTO VINCIMUS and SECOND TO NONE CREDO).
The restoration of “Die Helde Akker” at Vredendal Cemetery is a clear example of what can be achieved when Paratroopers work together as a brotherhood.
Special acknowledgement and thanks are given to MR. JOHAN THIART of Echo Company 82/84,
1 Parachute Battalion, for physically undertaking and completing the restoration work.
Special thanks are also extended to MR. MIKE BOLHUIS for carrying the financial responsibility of the project.
ABOVE ALL, WE GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE AND STILL WILL DO.
WE GIVE HIM ALL THE THANKS FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR THE STRENGTH,
WISDOM, PROTECTION AND PROVISION THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.
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