Ermelo Land Bank since 1942 Rich in history and banking excellence The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) celebrated its 100 birthday two years ago. Founded under an oak tree in Silverton, Pretoria in 1912, the Land Bank was the precursor to a series of historical events that have not only shaped the quintessence of the country’s socio-economic and political history as it is known today, but also how the agricultural sector in particular has evolved in the past 100 years. Land Bank is a specialist agricultural bank guided by a government mandate to provide financial services to the commercial farming sector and to agri-business as well as to make available new, appropriately designed financial products that would facilitate access to finance by new entrants to agriculture from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Today, the bank is a true South African development finance institution that serves all farmers equally. The Land and Agricultural Bank of South Africa was first established in Ermelo in April 1939 and was housed in the Simon Montel building. It was only in April 1942 that the new double storey building was constructed specifically for Ermelo’s Land Bank and plans included detail of the elevations and sections including entrances, staircases, roof lights, the boiler room and lightning conductor. Norman Musgrave Eaton, who was best known for bank buildings and houses, was the architect commissioned for this project. He was responsible for the design of a number of Land Bank buildings and apart from a few early houses which were painted white, his houses were almost exclusively of brick. These form the major part of his work which is notable for the quality of workmanship and the development of an artistic vernacular in which certain African traditions were incorporated, particularly decorative features notable in the Great Zimbabwe ruins. Today this beautifully designed splendour of a building still stands proud on the corner of Joubert and Ennis Streets. Another proudly notable fact of Land Bank Ermelo is a loans consultant by the name of Birtie Bruyn, who joined Ermelo Land Bank some 33 years ago in 1982. Birtie was a young man from the Northern Cape Province who had matriculated in Joubertina, Langkloof and had just completed his National Service, ready to embark on the world of banking with the most renowned name in the banking world. Little did he know that he would be required to fill a position in Ermelo. Never the less, this Capetonian by heart, set out on the journey of life, filled with enthusiasm and took up his place in Ermelo and stared out in a junior position as a filing clerk at this notorious bank. With his hunger for growth and eagerness for knowledge, within six months he was promoted to the loans department and filled the position of Loans Consultant and has excelled at his job to this very day, his last working day at Ermelo Land Bank. At the age of 55 Birtie has taken an early pension to fully enjoy all the other wonders that life has to offer. He is relocating to the Cape’s coast and plans on occupying his days doing the things he loves such as fishing, diving and basically living the adventure. “I will miss Ermelo and all the special people I have met and befriended over the years,” said Birtie, “ being part of Land Bank has been a truly enriching life experience where I have learn a lot during my 33 years of employment. I consider myself extremely privileged to have gained this experience and being a small part of this bank’s prestigious success.” Ermelo Land bank has grown from strength to strength during its 75 years of successful banking and will most certainly continue providing the high standard of service and banking excellence for many more decades.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 09:41:59 +0000
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