George Herald | The house that Ronald built

Translate to:


News	Classifieds	Directory

The house that Ronald built
12:00 (GMT+2), Fri, 10 August 2012

The sun room on the roof of Ronald’s house where hours of inspiration is found.

GEORGE NEWS - Twelve years ago Ronald and Sophie Pietersen were ecstatic when they received their RDP house in Tabatha Street, Thembalethu.

Ronald was however perturbed as all the houses looked the same, two eyes and a nose, same colour, same style, no trees and no character.

He knew that his house would soon stand out, as his childhood passion for art started him scribbling away on and with everything available. As a young boy at Elandskraal Primary School near Knysna, he spent every free moment drawing, while the other children were out playing. The high point of the day was when he got hold of a piece of chalk and the blackboard became his 'oyster'. Daan en Sus, Popeye, Olive and Sweetpea suddenly changed from images in his mind to live characters that amazed those few fellow pupils who were privileged to see it.

Today Ronald works as a machine operator and only has time on weekends to fashion his creations. Sophie, his wife says that every weekend the house and garden look different. This week a snake sails out of the root of a tree and a bird perches on a doll's house. Currently pink and blue is the colour of choice, but Ronald says not for much longer as he is getting itchy to repaint everything soon.

In order to experience quiet, quality time in a small RDP house on a busy road in a cramped neighbourhood, he has found the solution. Ronald created a sun room on the roof of his house and it is here where he can be found early every Sunday. It is here where he relaxes, reads his Bible and prepares for the service at St Pauls Church in Conville, where he is Deacon.

The colourful sight that greets motorists as they pass the Pietersen residence.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ