Just Off The Highway | Ep 11 | "The Hidden Message in the Windmill”

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Hi, thanks for watching! Please hit "Subscribe" while you're here.

[@tessariles4488]

Thank you and bless you!!!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thank you very much for your wishes and the same to you.

[@Dev1nci]

That’s such an encouraging story that they felt the need to create something useful and beautiful. They’ve just restored the Mostert Mill in Cape Town after the fire damage 😄👌

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Yes, I passed Mostert's Mill a few weeks ago. Looks pristine. Restorers have done a great job.

[@rodprodgers9058]

Fascinating! The Italian POWs left a huge legacy, including Du Toit's Kloof pass and the work of sculptor Eduardo Villa 😁

[@barroompoet]

Thanks for that, Rod. I’ll definitely look into the sculpture connection as well.

[@yvetteworrall8909]

I was at senior school in Umtali, now Mutate, on Zimbabwe's eastern border with Mocambique. Our school was a beautiful Spanish style set of buildings. At the back were granite kopjes. On the top of one was a 40ft granite cross erected by - Italian POWs. The hockey team would get fit with daily runs up Cross Kopje. It had a very palpable presence. Thank you for fascinating historical vignettes.

[@barroompoet]

Pleasure. And thanks for your story. One day, perhaps I'll have the opportunity to go and see if that cross is still there.

[@lameesahmad9166]

I was brought up in Rhodesia and from a young age I was fascinated by history. But the only problem was that there were precious little historical documents or sources where I could get information. In 1983 I came to South Africa and one of the first places I visited was the Cape Town library in the old town hall. I spent every free moment pouring over books but I found it difficult to source specific information for my studies. Now even at an advanced age I am really enjoying the benefits of I.T. and I am having a whale of a time. Being in a colonial setting and having colonial ancestors as well as being a member of the non-indigenous population has fostered a lack of identity. I have now been able to trace my ancestors back at least 1010 years. Through every generation you have to have a sound knowledge of the historical events happening at that time. I now know the history of my ancestors and feel grounded and comfortable. Now that I have a general idea of where they were at what date and their general location I am researching their personal lives. Property owned, occupation, fate of their children etc. And I am astounded how every element of their personal lives is wrapped around history. In short the life of the every day commoner molds history. I really appreciate your video. You can uncover unknown facts to paint a picture of the people of South Africa foreign or indigenous. I wish you the best for this project and if you can produce footage as good as Wolsley, Mike Aston and Tony Robinson you will have a dedicated fan and I will watch every episode and pass it on. Starting Now!!!

[@barroompoet]

Hi, thanks for your beautifully considered and crafted response. I agree that "every element of (our) personal lives is wrapped around history". That's definitely part of my reason for doing this series. You've mentioned some great names and I can only say I'll do my best to create authentic and interesting videos. I'm sure I'll wander off the path regularly as it's a personal journey, but I hope you enjoy!

[@lameesahmad9166]

@@barroompoet Good morning, In my journey into history I have found it extremely difficult to source specific information for the last 100 years. There are bylaws which protect living descendents of people that have recently passed. Interestingly my father was an South African aircraft engineer in the WW2 and he followed the SAAF into Italy. I grew up at my father's knee hearing about the wonderful Italian people. He loved their culture and the people. He even learned to speak a little Italian in the short time he was there. One anecdote about that time is good. Apparently when he tried to approach the people they hid from him and were very suspicious. Being a nice person but very young and naive he could not understand this. But one of the South Africans could speak Italian and asked them what the matter was. The local people asked him if my father was a German spy. They got the wrong idea because of my father's blonde hair. After the airmen explained to them that my father was definitely a South African airman and he had green eyes not blue they welcomed him and accepted him. I can only say thank you to my Irish great grandmother because we are from Austrian descent and most of us have blue eyes.☺

[@John5209]

Many Italians stayed in South Africa after the war and made a Huge contribution to the country!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Indeed.

[@louishurter4952]

You did a great job to look into our heretich my God bless you and your family and I like your videos

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thank you very much, Louis. And the same to you and yours.

[@wendysteidlen1579]

Throughly enjoyed listening. Love Windmills and grateful for the water supply the town from this one. Love ♥️ and light ✨️

[@JustOfftheHighway]

They are magical machines. Thanks for your comment.

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Love this story.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks! And thanks for browsing several episodes.

[@conorgraafpietermaritzburg3720]

We also had Italian POW's in Pietermaritzburg and they built a wonderful church and did wonderful artists things

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for that extra bit of information.

[@sheenapirrie7247]

My bother acquired a small wooden piano made by one of the POWs who helped to build this windmill. He managed to trace the family of this man in the Cape and he was able to restore this beautiful momento to them.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Wow! That's a powerful story.

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Thank you. Utterly inspiring. I never knew of its existence in my country. Yes you are doing an excellent job.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thank you!

[@dorothymarquis5738]

I visot that part of the world regularly. Did not know about the windmill at all. This series is wonderful.

[@barroompoet]

Thanks so much for your feedback, Dorothy. The windmill is very close to the Olivedale Clinic.

[@keithallen4389]

You’re doing very well, Al. This is fascinating, and the cemetery is too, so hope you can film it soon. You being in Springs for its art deco recently would be interested in one of those Italian POWs who settled in Springs after the war. Mr Castelucci was a carpenter by trade and his creativity led him to carving wood while a bored prisoner. He once turned a wooden toilet seat into a laurel wreath, signed it and forgot about it. In 1978, when I was a reporter in Springs, the carved seat was returned to him at his business and we carried the story in the Springs Advertiser.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Wow! Thanks for that fascinating connection. I assume that he is either very elderly or passed on. I would have loved to chat to him. 🙏

[@keithallen4389]

@@JustOfftheHighway Mr Castelucci has passed on but his four amazing sons are in the US, having become dentists here then specialised and have done extremely well. One of them attended a reunion at Springs Boys High a few years ago, so the school may know where he is. Giovanni is one name I remember.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

@@keithallen4389 Thanks for the details. Exactly the sort of story I would like to share in an episode.

[@sandrogennari6964]

My father was one of the POW and subsequently settled in SA in Springs. My father worked at Mr Castellucci workshop in 2nd str. We shared many moments together over the years. Both Mr Castelucci and my father ultimately settled in the cimitero at Zonderwater. Thanks for sharing.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

@@sandrogennari6964 Thanks for filling in this detail. Families have such rich histories and it's a privilege for my channel that you chose to share the story here. 🙏

[@duncannapier318]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing. 🇿🇦👍

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks very much for the compliment. I hope you will browse some of the other episodes too.

[@beryltaylor714]

Very Interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@barroompoet]

Thanks Beryl!

[@drikuslourens1854]

hahah and I teached kids soccer around that windmill , you just feel happy around it , honestly thought they built it as a "fun" structure for the kids , I agree I have seen the smiling and laughing kids playing around the windmill it's fitting and I think it would put a smile on those pows face to know what it has become ❤

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Good to hear, Drikus. Thanks!

[@jeanpatterson4283]

We had a girl in our glass whose father was one of those POWs who built the du toits tunnel. Their name was Pace.

[@rolandoscar1696]

The POWs built many passes in the Cape, the authorities having observed the migration routes of elephants. Many POWs returned to SA after the war, bringing their families with.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Yes, including the famous Du Toit's Kloof Pass.

[@wimoweh1951]

Prisoners enjoy luxury nowadays. They could start on the potholes..........

[@rolandoscar1696]

@@wimoweh1951 True. We don't drive on the left of the road. We drive on what's left of the road.🙈💦

[@meinolfwestig9463]

They also took part in the building of the Voortrekker Monument.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks, I didn't know that. I always thought the monument was inaugurated in 1938, but I see now that was only the laying of the cornerstone, so Italian POW's might well have been involved.

[@lynngreyling7660]

Nice one Al.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it and liked it.

[@stewiecindy5889]

Awesome piece Al. There was an old farm house at the end of Terrace road in Edenvale which I rented in the early 80's. It was built by Italian prisoners of war. They pressed their medals into the flooring in the sitting room. I loved that place. It had a huge wood burning stove in the kitchen😊😊😊😊. Rustic as hell, but the best. Cheers Al for your fascinating insights

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Wow! It would be an exciting journey to find out if those marks are still there! Thanks for sharing your experiences. If you would like to give me some more detail so that I can try to follow up, please contact me via my website www.alprodgers.co.za

[@luizferreira8925]

Absolutely lovely!!!!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[@friendlypiranha774]

What a fantastic video. Thanks

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Pleasure! Thank you very much.

[@pierheydenrych8367]

This is so interesting. My father was a POW at Zonderwater. After the war he remained in SA. His surname was Zorio.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Respect to your father. Thanks for adding to the story.

[@lauralaosndevandam3712]

Thank you for your curiosity and yes Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was a prisoner himself and created such a literary piece Don Quijote de la Mancha a fascinating book in which his main character fought for truth and justice. This Mill in Zonderwater is such a beautiful memory of men who fell prisoners, victims of war.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

I agree, Don Quixote is a hero of mine. BTW, this mill is not at Zonderwater, it's in Olivedale, Johannesburg.

[@paulfisher1160]

Last time i went past it looked in a bad state. No blades. Love to see it back turning and open to see. Many dont know it exists. In winter, you can see it from the highway

[@JustOfftheHighway]

The owners have renovated it. It looks cheerful.

[@andreviviers9122]

Just awesome. Your videos are great. ❤️ Love hearing stories about my favourite city. Enjoy your humour 😁great presenter. 🎉. The car tops it all. 🕺🏼. Is there a video or story behind the car? Wish I was rich to sponsor your work

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks so much, Andre! I'm not a car expert, but I am actually putting together an episode that tells the Toyota story. Hopefully before the end of the year. And thank you for your kind offer of sponsorship! I understand that money is tight for us all, so if you feel like supporting with any amount, you can hit the "Thanks" button below the video. It all helps keep us on the road. Anyway, I hope you keep watching.

[@FirstBornProtoType]

Glad you got that girls incredible insight. Well checked box.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Kate is the owner of the windmill who graciously allowed us to film and I am grateful for her guidance.

[@FirstBornProtoType]

@@JustOfftheHighway awesome. I will go and try to see this monument. I'd never heard of it before. Thanx.

[@hantieleroux3566]

We love your vidio pleas put up some more for us thank you al

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Hi Hantie, thanks for the compliment. It's my absolute pleasure. I'll post them as quickly as I can make them. This is a hobby of mine that I have to organise around paying work, but I'm very encouraged that you're enjoying the episodes.

[@estellawobker3568]

So interesting thank you kindly. The Old Girl in KZN SOUTH AFRICA.

[@Blairgowrie_Forest_Railway]

You can see this windmill from the N1 ring road if you go in a westerly direction.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Didn't know that. Thanks for the heads up. I'll look out for it.

[@Blairgowrie_Forest_Railway]

@JustOfftheHighway I only wish I could attach photos to KZbin.

[@Carol-rh5jd]

Builders who contributed so much even in adverse con ditions Took only 30 yrs to destroy such a beautiful country 🎉🎉🎉

[@PureWater-w7c]

Can't believe what they have done to our country. What the heck, they make SA look terrible. No wonder it says that they must clean out my sanctuary. Thanks for your help. You very kind. ❤

[@tshilidzimadzhege4949]

What kind of car are you driving

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Hi, it's a 72 Toyota Corona.

[@oompie3083]

In the early fifties my grandfather had an Italian foreman with the name Regearo. Hope spelled correct.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Was he an ex-POW? They made a significant contribution.

[@riaanpotgieter475]

😳 Pffttt!!! As a South African I never knew this existed!!!

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Neither did I until a short while ago. So many fascinating, hidden stories.

[@susanlourens3949]

There is another beautiful windmill close to Hartbeespoortdam. Your music is a bit loud.

[@JustOfftheHighway]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@yvetteworrall8909]

Apologies - Mutate.