Page 107 - Bulletin 12 2008

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In January 1911, 16 years after reaching England, S.H. & Tromp set sail for Tromp’s
homeland to build a new life on the ruins of the old one, just as in 1876 Attorney

Cornelis von Diggelen and his son Staas had done. The spirit of “The Cape of Good
Hope” was still alive.

Tromp was soon recruited to go prospecting in Rhodesia. Big Game hunting then developed
into one of his skills as he moved around as a “Lone Hunter” whilst carrying on with his

prospecting work. These months of hunting led him to the conclusion that the elephant was
the King of Beasts but the leopard the fiercest.

Moving back to the Reef he got a job on the world famous Sub Nigel Gold Mine. It was

here that an impromptu feat of strength underground so impressed the Mine Captain that he

arranged a show in the Nigel recreation hall. His interest in Tromp’s physical qualities led
on to Dad’s becoming a teacher of “Health through Commonsense”. The rest is history.

Apart from his vast wrestling skills, Tromp was a musically sensitive man who was
particularly well “read” on current affairs and the kindest person I have ever met. In the

foreword to “Worthwhile Journey” Grantly Dick Read (of ‘Natural Childbirth’ fame)
graciously paid Tromp this tribute: “Few great men become famous, and even fewer famous

men are great, but Tromp is one who, in his sphere, has known world fame and has been
great enough, amidst admiring crowds, to keep his high ideals ….”

Tromp trained the beautiful swimmer Edna Ayris, they then married in 1921 and she
th
lovingly supported him until his death in 1967. On his 80 birthday, December 5 1965, he
received a congratulatory telegram from President Swart which he greatly appreciated.