History

At the beginning of the 1900's, Moerasiekloof was on the trail to Elim and was used as a place to rest and stretch after a long journey. There was a shop, drinking water and oaks where the oxen wagons could overnight on their routes to the south.

Danie Fourie was born on 23 July 1888 on Moeraskloof (today known as Murasie). Moeraskloof was part of Baardskeerdersbos that previously were state land and was only privatized in 1831 by Governor Sir John Cradock. Wessel Johannes Groenewald was the first private owner (he had 9 children), and the land was divided in 1909 between his children from Moeraskloof to Diepkloof. Danie’s great-grandmother, Nellie Groenewald was one of W.J. Groenewald's daughters and received Moeraskloof. Nellie was later married to Flip Fourie (Danie's grandfather).

Danie's father continued the subsistence farming and at the age of 13 he became the team-leader and at 16 he started doing woodwork. He later became a successful carpenter, specifically cupboards, tables and coffins thus his furniture became widespread. Daniel was also the inventor of the "Kees” fishing reel he made using the axis of a bicycle wheel. These popular reels were the Pen 49 of his time and it allowed fishermen to throw much further.

Eventually Danie sold Moeraskloof to Koos de Wet in 1968, after which his son Kosie de Wet inherited it. Danie died at the age of 93 while Kosie and his wife Leana remained at Moeraskloof from 1980 to 1981. This old house forms part of the ruins at Murasie. Koos de Wet lived his whole life on the farm and is also buried here. Today Kosie and Leana live on the farm Korsika (which include Murasie)