At the turn of the century, a gigantic Oak tree, which became famous as the largest Oak tree outside the Cape, towered above the African grasslands and pinpointed a very special farm. It is uncertain as to how such a huge tree came to be planted before the land was settled; who carried this acorn all the way from the Cape? Was it dropped or was it planted? Either way, this old English Oak flourished and the farm was soon named after the magnificent tree. In the 1980’s, lightening struck the great tree and now all that remains in the massive stump, cleaved in half on either side of the Pavillon. With the freshwater spring located behind the Chapel, Oakfield became the centre of a small farming community with irrigation furrows supplying precious water. Strawberries flourished in what is now the Homestead parking lot and many ancient plum and pear trees still bear fruit each year.

At a time when the coaches and ox cart were the only transport, the farm found itself on the busy route from Kimberley to Rhodesia. This was the time of the famous Zederburg coaches, one of which was even pulled by a team of Zebra. Of course, river crossings were always a problem and Muldersdrift was no exception. After heavy rains, the river was impassable for the coach and though travellers were dragged across the drift in a sling, the coach was left stranded on the wrong side of the river. One brave coach driver was tempted to fight the river, and the coach and horses were swept downstream. Although the driver survived, the coach was destroyed, and several horses drowned.

With the drift in spate, accommodation was always a problem. A boarding room with walls more than a foot thick was built at Oakfield. This became part of the original farmhouse, and is now the office. For many years, the farm was owned by the Duvenhage family, whose ancestors are buried in the small cemetery above the stables. During the 2nd World War, two Italian prisoners, a mechanic and a dentist, were requisitioned to help run the farm. They built The Dairy which provided milk for the community until 1991.

It has been a great privilege to restore this old Farm into what you see today. The Magnificent trees and English Country Gardens have won several awards and are the favourite location for wedding photographers. We have over the years planted more than 300 trees which will be the hallmark of Oakfield for many years to come.

It is our hope that the couples who get married here will be able to reminisce in the presence of their grandchildren.