POK main building (C6)

Photo:  about 1942

• A need for teachers after the 1918 Flu epidemic urged the provincial authorities to found training colleges for teachers. 
• The Potchefstroom College of Education, or “Normal School” or “Normal College” as it was initially known, opened officially on 23 April 1919. Twenty-four students started their training in a small galvanised iron building on the grounds of the Potchefstroom High School for Boys. 
• In 1920 the institution was relocated to old galvanised iron buildings or cantonments in the military camp. In 1923 the College, with its galvanised iron buildings, moved to the grounds next to President Street.
• Since 1921 students could, simultaneous with their teachers’ training, follow a graduate course at the Potchefstroom University College for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE). Amongst the students they were known as “gePukte Pote”. (The “Puk” referred to the PUC and the “pote” was a derivative of “POK.”
• In 1941 the name was changed from “Normal College” to Potchefstroom College of Education. 
• On 13 September 1940 the director of Education at the time, Mr HHG Kreft, conducted the official opening of the Main Building. At the same time the men’s residence, Ratau Lebone and the official residence of the rector were also commissioned. 

• In 1992 this building was described in a publication of the Foundation Simon van der Stel as follows: 

The Main Building is an example of Art Deco architecture which was established in South Africa due to better communication with the outside world in the initiative-rich technologically developing era before the Second World War. The portico is monumental and when one looks at the detailed designed of the capitals of the enormous columns, you get the feeling that you are casting your eyes on a temple of knowledge. 

The portal of the main entrance is likewise imposing with its double volume height and marble tiles against the columns. The rest of the building appears soberly functional. The Main Building was enlarged in 1949 with an extra wing on the northern side. It was in 1992 recommended to be placed on the National Register of buildings to be preserved.

Photo:  about 1940s

• In 1992 all the property of POK was transferred to the PU for CHE. In 2001, after re-structuring of the tertiary education landscape, POK was incorporated into the PU for CHE.
• Currently the old Main Building of POK houses the Faculty of Education of the NWU, Potchefstroom Campus.