ABOUT US
Providing a Meaningful and Secure Lifestyle with Integrity and Compassion
Our History
Why are Kloof Retirement Villages the GO-TO people in respect of concerns associated with the ageing process? Unlike the plethora of modern-day retirement villages, few of which originated prior to the mid-1980s, Kloof Rest Home has been in the care profession since 1904, when it commenced life as a convalescence Home on the very same Abelia Road site. There, 117 years ago, the Loyal Guild of Women cared for soldiers during the Anglo-Boer War.
Most of the facilities included in The Kloof Retirement Villages family were initiated and sponsored by Upper Highway Rotary Clubs. This interest continues as a number of Rotarians continue to hold voluntary positions with Kloof Retirement Villages, such as committee members and trustees.
Unlike some retirement villages where the employment motive is purely financial, the dedicated staff team at Kloof Retirement Villages, a registered Non-Profit Organisation, is driven mainly by concern for the seniors entrusted to their care.
And then there are the residents themselves – strangely, residents seem unwilling to adopt the stereotypical, ‘waiting for God’ approach to retirement. Those residents residing in their own individual cottages continue to pursue adventurous lives and they contribute to the quality of life in Kloof Retirement Villages. Also, their zest for life is apparently infectious as even our advanced care patients exhibit determined enthusiasm; refusing to succumb to the impediments sometimes imposed by the ageing process.
These are but a few of the reasons why Kloof Retirement Villages are the GO-TO people for retirement matters.
A Legacy of Care
There’s a quiet dignity that settles over the leafy streets of Kloof. Beneath the surface of this scenic suburb lies a story—one that has been written with compassion, courage, and an unwavering commitment to care for more than a century. The story begins not with bricks or buildings, but with a vision.
A Vision is Born from Tragedy
It was the turn of the century when the Durban Branch of the Guild of Loyal Women purchased a four-acre stand from the Apperley estate for £2,250. Their intention? To build a civilian convalescent home where people could rest and recover in peaceful surroundings. The land had a story of its own—the previous owner, Mr. Apperley, had tragically passed away in a travelling accident when his horse bolted on what is now Kloof Falls Road. From that moment of loss, hope was born. The Krantzkloof Convalescent Home took root in a budding village still known by its original name, “Krantzkloof.”
A New Light
As the world modernised, so did the Home. Electricity was finally installed, replacing the flickering glow of candles and oil lamps that had lit the hallways for years—and reducing the constant risk of fire.
A Name That Would Endure
The station name changed from Krantzkloof to Kloof. A small administrative decision perhaps, but one that would ultimately shape the identity of the village and the Home that bore its name. The change helped avoid confusion with distant Kranskop—and marked the birth of a new name that would become synonymous with care.
Signals of Growth
The station was rebuilt, signalling growth in the community and new movement around the Home
A Gentle Shift in Purpose
In Abelia Road, the Home’s purpose evolved, gradually shifting from serving convalescents to caring for the elderly. This quiet transformation reflected changing needs and a growing recognition of the importance of dignified ageing.
Water, Secured
Water became more reliable when a borehole was installed on a newly purchased adjoining plot. Until then, the Home had depended solely on rainwater—a precious, often unpredictable resource.
A Community Takes Shape
As the world braced through war, the town formalised its governance, with a Town Board being formed to oversee growth and development.
A Name that Speaks of Care
The name Krantzkloof Convalescent Home was officially changed to the Kloof Rest Home. The new name reflected the true nature of its mission: not merely recovery, but long-term care, rest, and dignity in later life.
A New Way to Live Independently
A significant new chapter began with the construction of Krantzkloof Park, an independent living unit that allowed older adults to enjoy vibrant, self-sufficient lives within a supportive community. It was a model of what senior living could and should be.
A Heartfelt Initiative
A committee, led by the passionate Vicki Herbert, recognised the need for a dedicated frail care wing. The drive was on.
A Milestone in Care
The frail care wing was completed at a cost of R200,000—an ambitious project that marked a bold step forward in elder care for the region. It cemented Kloof’s reputation not just as a place to live, but as a place to be cared for with excellence and compassion.
The Legacy Stands Strong
Today, that legacy stands strong, where Kloof Retirement Villages continues to provide a spectrum of care—from fully independent living, assisted living, to compassionate, professional support.
As people pass by—perhaps unaware of the lives shaped behind these gates—they pass through a place shaped by over 120 years of care. This is more than a history. It is a promise, carried forward by every committee, every nurse, every resident, and every heart that calls Kloof Retirement Villages home.
Spend the next chapter of your life in a sublime and secure retirement village where you will experience beautiful gardens and quality care – all within easy access to your favourite shopping destinations!
Call on us to assist with any retirement concerns and requirements!
- Are you looking for retirement accommodation?
- Are you looking to move into an advanced-care centre?
- Do you need medium care? (also referred to as assisted living)
- Have you perhaps fallen recently and are concerned whether you will be able to continue living independently?
- Do you merely need advice on age-related health problems?
- Do you need to find out how life-rights work? (And, for example, how it differs from sectional title… or what its advantages are?)
- Are you concerned about a parent or relative who lives alone at home?
- Are your children asking you to move in with them; to move into, and possibly even fund, a granny flat?
- Are you trying to decide which retirement estate to choose?
- Is your dilemma centred around location and your proximity to things and people you love?
- Would you just like to drop in for a chat?
