24 hour hotel name change

Posted on Sat February 8, 2025.

After an iconic visit by Bobby Kennedy to Stellenbosch University's Simonsberg residence in 1966 they started calling themselves 'Die Withuis'. The name has stuck. When Die Withuis alumni (76-80) visited us we followed suite with our own name change.

The 1966 SA  visit of US presidential hopeful Bobby Kennedy to South Africa and the way it was ignored by the Nationalist government at the time almost reached a tipping point with the invitation of the house committee of Stellenbosch University's Simonsberg residence for him to address the res. Threatened with expulsion by the university authorities if 'anything went wrong' the res committee under the leadership of Willem van Drimmelin 

The story is well told via the link below. Well worth a view. 

Click here for the doccie on Bobby Kennedy's visit Simonsberg

For our part Barrydale's very own  Dominee Ollie is a product of Simonsberg residence and it's thanks to him that three years ago he organised the first Withuis  Barrydale reunion with the Karoo Art Hotel as party central. 

It's become a much looked forward event for the hotel and is a great example of one of favourite forms of booking - a hotel take over. 

Further Reading

We have another icon headed our way - Roger Lucey. 28 November Tue October 7, 2025

HOW TO BUILD A HOUSE IN THE MOUNTAINS. Roger Lucey will be in song and story telling mode in the Belanti in wonderful opportunity to share in the journey of an extraordinary artist on Friday night the 28 November.

Read This Article
Graham Abbott's Analogue festival - an immersion in retro tech and romance..12 -20 Dec Wed October 1, 2025

The poster is out ! Barrydales arty , hands on celebration of the art of analog photograpy runs from the 19th -20th December.

Read This Article
Barrydale in Bloom 14-16 Nov Tue September 30, 2025

With this event going from strength to strength this is a brilliant weekend to be in Barrydale. The hotel is fully booked but this is just a heads up re the program

Read This Article