While barristers such as Tom Sanders are known for their legal achievements, his contribution to the Lowveld was in a totally different arena; documenting the history and heritage of the Chrissiesmeer saw this exceptional historian being awarded a special award.
The 2024 Mpumalanga Heritage Award was presented to Sanders, who retired to Chrissiesmeer, at the Casterbridge Historical Book Fair, held on Saturday outside White River. Sanders put his retirement to good use and had over the last two decades published three in-depth historical books on the small town of Chrissiesmeer.
Another local historian, the late Hans Bornman, was post-humously honoured at the same event for his memories of the Lowveld, left as his legacy in various publications. Johann Lodewyk Marais, another renowned local historian, called on the University of Mpumalanga to award Bosman an honorary doctorate for his work.
This unique event will in future become an annual event on the local Historian Society’s calendar.
