Matie Legends and Pioneers: Robert F. Kennedy and the Other White House

An arguably under-reported feature of the visit of US Senator Robert F. Kennedy to South Africa in June 1966 during the height of Apartheid is his visit to Simonsberg residence. Even as he toured South Africa, the young presidential hopeful was honing his campaign to reach the White House in the 1968 US elections, and his appearance at another ‘White House’- this one in Stellenbosch - was met with thunderous applause.
The story of Simonsberg can never be told without sharing this story, the story of Bobby Kennedy, and his indelible legacy. His visit to the ‘Withuis’ on 7 June 1966 remains one of the most important events in the history of this residence, and to this day is a source of pride for many Simonsbergers.
In the second episode of our alumni series MATIE LEGENDS AND PIONEERS, journalist and producer Bun Booyens shares this story, in conversation with Jan Louw, residence head Dr Leslie van Rooi, and the students of the residence.
This episode is enriched by never-before-seen archive footage and interviews from filmmakers Larry Shore and Tami Gold, who produced the 2009 documentary RFK In the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
This footage includes extensive interviews with the 1966 Primarius of Simonsberg, the late Willem van Drimmelen. Substantial credit was given to Van Drimmelen, who facilitated the visit and corresponded with Kennedy in the preceding weeks. It is wonderful to watch Willem in our video, directed by Jo Higgs, sharing his memories in his distinct baritone voice.
Tragically, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on 6 June 1968, some two years to the day of his visit to Simonsberg. Although this Kennedy never made it to the White House in the US, his visit to our ‘Withuis’ and to South Africa had a significant impact in planting the seeds for the changes that would come to fruition many years later.
Thirty years after Bobby Kennedy’s visit to South Africa, his wife Ethel and other members of the family returned for another visit, and thereby hangs a tale, as told in our video by Norman Cilliers (Primarius in 1995/96 and the nephew of Willem van Drimmelen).
We hope that you will enjoy watching this episode, ‘Robert F. Kennedy and the Other White House’. 
’n Aspek van die Amerikaanse senator Robert F. Kennedy se besoek aan Suid-Afrika in Junie 1966 toe Apartheid op sy ergste was, en waarskynlik nie genoeg mediadekking ontvang het nie, was sy besoek aan Huis Simonsberg. Selfs terwyl hy deur Suid-Afrika getoer het, het die jong, belowende presidensiële kandidaat sy veldtog geslyp om die Withuis in die VS verkiesing van 1968 te haal, en sy verskyning by ’n ander “Withuis” - dié een in Stellenbosch - is met dawerende applous begroet.
Die verhaal van Simonsberg is nie volledig sonder dat hierdie verhaal van Bobby Kennedy en sy onuitwisbare nalatenskap vertel is nie. Sy besoek aan die “Withuis” op 7 Junie 1966 bly een van die belangrikste gebeurtenisse in die geskiedenis van die koshuis, en dit is tot vandag toe ’n bron van trots vir vele Simonsbergers.
In die tweede episode van ons alumni-reeks MATIE LEGENDS AND PIONEERS deel die joernalis en vervaardiger Bun Booyens hierdie verhaal in gesprek met Jan Louw, die koshuishoof dr Leslie van Rooi, en die studente van die koshuis.
Hierdie episode word aangevul deur argiefmateriaal wat nog nooit vantevore gesien is nie, sowel as onderhoude deur filmmakers Larry Shore en Tami Gold, die vervaardigers van die 2009-dokumentêre film RFK In the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope, wat tans op Amazon Prime gestroom word.
Die beeldmateriaal behels omvattende onderhoude met die 1966 Primarius van Simonsberg, wyle Willem van Drimmelen. Verdienstelike krediet word aan Van Drimmelen gegee, wat die besoek gefasiliteer en in die voorafgaande weke met Kennedy gekorrespondeer het. Dit is wonderlik om te sien hoe Willem in ons video, onder regie van Jo Higgs, sy herinneringe in daardie kenmerkende baritonstem deel.
Tragies genoeg is Robert F. Kennedy op 6 Junie 1968 vermoor, nagenoeg twee jaar ná die dag van sy besoek aan Simonsberg. Alhoewel hierdie Kennedy nooit die Withuis in die VS bereik het nie, het sy besoek aan ons “Withuis” en aan Suid-Afrika ’n beduidende impak gehad deur die saadjies te plant vir die veranderinge wat baie jare later tot stand sou kom.
Dertig jaar ná Bobby Kennedy se besoek aan Suid-Afrika, het sy vrou Ethel en ander gesinslede teruggekeer vir ’n besoek, en dit is nog ’n interessante verhaal, soos vertel in ons video deur Norman Cilliers (Primarius in 1995/96 en die neef van Willem van Drimmelen).
Ons hoop jy geniet hierdie episode, getiteld “Robert F. Kennedy en die Ander Wit Huis”.