The Molteno Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Molteno Brothers, Edward (1877-1950) and Harry (1880-1969) Molteno, were sons of Cape Prime Minister John Molteno
by his third wife Sobella Maria. Pioneering and successful exporters, they had a huge influence on South Africa's fruit industry and left a trust fund that continues their charitable work to this day.
in the early 1900s. They may have been influenced by the purchase of some land in the area by their older brothers Percy and Frank Molteno (Percy Molteno initially assisted his younger brothers with his connections in the export industry and a loan to buy their first plot). From modest beginnings farming vegetables, they eventually built up a vast farming enterprise that spanned the entire valley and what is now the largest single export fruit producing area in Southern Africa
.
They restructured the South African fruit farming industry along scientific lines
, pioneering new farming and cold storage
practices and were influential in the development and uplifting of rural communities in the area. They also founded the Cape Tercentenary Foundation
in 1950 to promote and support the arts and the environment in the Cape (Both brothers were extremely well read, appreciators of music and the arts, and were deeply concerned about the natural environment).
The name of their original farm - Glen Elgin - subsequently came to refer to the whole region
. This area is today one of the more intensively farmed districts of South Africa and produces 60% of the national apple crop.
farms, which they bequeathed to the Trust. The operations are today managed by a team who are overseen by a board of Directors, also appointed according to Harry's will.
Specific projects and charities of the trust include:
John Charles Molteno
Sir John Charles Molteno KCMG was a soldier, businessman, champion of responsible government and the first Prime Minister of the Cape Colony.-Early life:...
by his third wife Sobella Maria. Pioneering and successful exporters, they had a huge influence on South Africa's fruit industry and left a trust fund that continues their charitable work to this day.
History
The two brothers first invested in the Palmiet areaTheewaterskloof Local Municipality
Theewaterskloof Municipality is a local municipality located within the Overberg District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2007, the population was 86,719. Its municipality code is WC031...
in the early 1900s. They may have been influenced by the purchase of some land in the area by their older brothers Percy and Frank Molteno (Percy Molteno initially assisted his younger brothers with his connections in the export industry and a loan to buy their first plot). From modest beginnings farming vegetables, they eventually built up a vast farming enterprise that spanned the entire valley and what is now the largest single export fruit producing area in Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
.
They restructured the South African fruit farming industry along scientific lines
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, pioneering new farming and cold storage
Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a process in which work is done to move heat from one location to another. This work is traditionally done by mechanical work, but can also be done by magnetism, laser or other means...
practices and were influential in the development and uplifting of rural communities in the area. They also founded the Cape Tercentenary Foundation
The Cape Tercentenary Foundation
The Cape Tercentenary Foundation was set up in 1950 by brothers Edward and Harry Molteno, pioneers of the Cape fruit industry. The influential exporters were great appreciators of music and the arts, and were deeply concerned about the natural environment...
in 1950 to promote and support the arts and the environment in the Cape (Both brothers were extremely well read, appreciators of music and the arts, and were deeply concerned about the natural environment).
The name of their original farm - Glen Elgin - subsequently came to refer to the whole region
Elgin, Western Cape
Elgin, situated in the Overberg region of South Africa, is an apple-growing area near Grabouw and is about 70 km southeast of Cape Town. A group of apple farms called Glen Elgin - owned by the Molteno family - gave the place its name...
. This area is today one of the more intensively farmed districts of South Africa and produces 60% of the national apple crop.
The Molteno Trust
A body that seeks to support education, cultural institutions and environmental causes in Southern Africa, in terms of the will of the younger brother Harry Molteno, who died in 1969. Annual donations from the trust to such causes are derived mainly from the income of Ted and Harry Molteno's vast Glen ElginElgin, Western Cape
Elgin, situated in the Overberg region of South Africa, is an apple-growing area near Grabouw and is about 70 km southeast of Cape Town. A group of apple farms called Glen Elgin - owned by the Molteno family - gave the place its name...
farms, which they bequeathed to the Trust. The operations are today managed by a team who are overseen by a board of Directors, also appointed according to Harry's will.
Specific projects and charities of the trust include:
- The Molteno Institute for Language and LiteracyThe Molteno Institute for Language and LiteracyThe Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy , formerly known as The Molteno Project, is a charity organisation that funds literacy programmes and research across Africa, from its headquarters in Johannesburg...
, a charity that has enliterated over 10 million learners across Africa. - Bursaries to universities like the University of Cape TownUniversity of Cape TownThe University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa.-History:The roots of...
(UCT) and Rhodes UniversityRhodes UniversityRhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province...
. - Extensive support for Kistenbosch Botanical GardensKirstenboschKirstenbosch is the name of a famous botanical garden nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town....
, including funding the research centre and the Molteno Library Wing. - Gifts of land and funding for the establishment of the KogelbergKogelbergThe Kogelberg is a range of mountains along the False Bay coast in the Western Cape of South Africa. They form part of the Cape Fold Belt and start south of Grabouw and form a steep coastal range to Kleinmond. The Kogelberg area has the steepest and highest drop directly into the ocean of any...
Nature ReserveNature reserveA nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
with its 100,000 ha KogelbergKogelbergThe Kogelberg is a range of mountains along the False Bay coast in the Western Cape of South Africa. They form part of the Cape Fold Belt and start south of Grabouw and form a steep coastal range to Kleinmond. The Kogelberg area has the steepest and highest drop directly into the ocean of any...
Biosphere ReserveBiosphere reserveThe Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...
. - Continued support for the Cape Tercentenary FoundationThe Cape Tercentenary FoundationThe Cape Tercentenary Foundation was set up in 1950 by brothers Edward and Harry Molteno, pioneers of the Cape fruit industry. The influential exporters were great appreciators of music and the arts, and were deeply concerned about the natural environment...
and its projects.
See also
- Glen ElginElgin, Western CapeElgin, situated in the Overberg region of South Africa, is an apple-growing area near Grabouw and is about 70 km southeast of Cape Town. A group of apple farms called Glen Elgin - owned by the Molteno family - gave the place its name...
- The Molteno Institute for Language and LiteracyThe Molteno Institute for Language and LiteracyThe Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy , formerly known as The Molteno Project, is a charity organisation that funds literacy programmes and research across Africa, from its headquarters in Johannesburg...
- The Cape Tercentenary FoundationThe Cape Tercentenary FoundationThe Cape Tercentenary Foundation was set up in 1950 by brothers Edward and Harry Molteno, pioneers of the Cape fruit industry. The influential exporters were great appreciators of music and the arts, and were deeply concerned about the natural environment...
- Molteno (disambiguation)
External Links
- http://www.molteno.co.za/
- http://www.glenelgin.co.za/about.html
- http://www.cape300foundation.org.za/