tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112089182011-12-15T04:36:12.598+02:00Written for those interested in South African family history, genealogy, heritage and interesting places, past and present. <A HREF="mailto:ZAFamilyHistory@gmail.com">Click here to contact me</A>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comBlogger1751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-65240853504052532792008-06-22T21:39:00.002+02:002008-06-22T21:42:29.469+02:00

Routes and Roots will no longer be updated. I have created another blog, Bygones and Byways, which includes the same type of content but also has my newsletter.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-45624759332580800392008-06-21T21:45:00.001+02:002008-06-21T21:45:50.275+02:00

A gun battery that defended Cape Town's western flank from enemy ships 270 years ago has been restored and opened to the public. The Chavonnes Battery, the oldest coastal gun battery built in the Cape since the Castle, was re-opened earlier this year. The battery safeguarded Cape Town's western flank from 1726 to 1861, until Queen Victoria's second son, Prince Alfred, tipped the first load of

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-47859270168316688082008-06-21T21:35:00.001+02:002008-06-21T21:35:50.608+02:00

The graves of about 25 000 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Anglo-Boer War were supposed to be renovated and maintained in terms of a memorandum of understanding signed in Pretoria in June 2005. The deal provided £800 000 over the four years, paid by the British government and private sponsors, for the renovation of Commonwealth graves at over 200 cemeteries countrywide. A further £150 000

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-20853295323371847842008-06-21T21:27:00.002+02:002009-03-16T21:22:23.966+02:00

Count Natale Labia wants the government to give back the house his father built. The 20-room Italianate mansion overlooks the sea in Muizenberg. Count Natale Labia senior was Italy's consul in South Africa. He built The Fort, as it was named, in the style of 18th century Venice, the city of his ancestors. The furniture and fittings were all Venetian. After his death in 1936, the house was leased

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-60966658703812763932008-06-21T21:09:00.000+02:002008-06-21T21:10:29.414+02:00

In the Karoo, along the road from Middelburg towards Richmond, you'll find a sign-post saying "Stoel Monument". The tall, black dolerite structure stands next to a peppercorn tree near the roadside. In front of the structure is a polished granite slab engraved with the picture of a riempie chair. The inscription says that Commandant Johannes Cornelius Jacobus (Hans) Lotter and his adjutant

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-48227007964169138442008-06-21T20:51:00.000+02:002008-06-21T20:52:21.684+02:00

Paarl's most famous windmill is going to be remembered in a new security estate near Paarl named Waterpoel de Windmeul, developed by Chianti Civil Construction. The development is situated next to Rheebokskloof wine estate in Windmeul, Agter-Paarl. The most famous of the 27 windmills that once stood in the Paarl countryside was the one that stood in Windmeul. Farmers would come from all over the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-42629420428966564172008-06-21T20:46:00.000+02:002008-06-21T20:47:05.470+02:00

Historic Eastern Cape family farms are being sold off, some for hefty price tags. The 3650 ha Carnarvon Farm, 50km from Queenstown, is on the market with a price tage of R35 million. The National Heritage site is one of the most highly conserved, historically significant game and cattle farms in South Africa. Archaeologists recently discovered a 120 000-year-old stone-age workshop site and San

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-18177498493294752572008-06-21T20:24:00.002+02:002008-06-21T20:37:07.032+02:00

The six routes followed by school students during the 1976 Soweto Riots from their schools to Kumalo South Street in Orlando West, will be marked as a tourist attraction. The June 16 Foundation announced that the 29 km route would be marked with red-painted bricks. Seth Mazibuko (48), director of the foundation, was deputy-chairman of the student organisation back then. Titi Mthenjane (53), also

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-27495753551526886092008-06-21T20:00:00.000+02:002008-06-21T20:09:17.960+02:00

Waterkloof House Preparatory School in Muckleneuk, Pretoria, is building a new swimming pool. Recent digging work has unveiled ancient objects. Pretoria is rich in early and mid Stone Age objects. In the 1950s, the late Tony Brink, an archaeologist, discovered Stone Age objects at the school. Dr. Francis Thackeray, a WHPS Old Boy, is the current director of the Transvaal Museum. He is an expert

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-44907831417765995512008-06-14T21:22:00.000+02:002008-06-14T21:23:19.117+02:00

Restoration work at St. Mark's Anglican Church in District Six, Cape Town, should be completed by September, if the church can raise enough funds. Mrs. Juliet Gosling-Brown, a Londoner, is a voluntary fund-raiser for the church. She came to Cape Town two years ago to work on the project. Earlier this year she married Douglas Brown, a former parishioner at St. Mark's. The church was built in 1887

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-73650987045489777972008-06-14T21:10:00.000+02:002008-06-14T21:11:34.240+02:00

The Daspoortrand Fort in Pretoria is disappearing piece by piece, as thieves steal the iron that was used in the construction of the fort more than 100 years ago. The political party, VF+, has asked the Tshwane Metro Council and SAHRA to take action to prevent further damage. The fort is one of four that was built to protect Pretoria during the Anglo-Boer War. Two of the forts, Skanskop and

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-55394047288129450152008-06-14T21:05:00.001+02:002008-06-14T21:05:52.811+02:00

Floors High School in Kimberley celebrated its 50th anniversary recently. Past pupils include many doctors (Dr Krishan Moodaley, Dr Diane Towell, Dr Wendy Crawford, Dr Emile De Koker and Dr Mandy-Lue Jones). There are also a number of attorneys in its past pupils (Allan Hannie, Claude Towell, Ricky Ishmail and Inez Moodaley); engineers (Angus Towell, George Wareley and Henrico White);

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-75375878006130794392008-06-14T21:00:00.000+02:002008-06-14T21:01:05.720+02:00

The Rotary Club in De Aar celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Rotary was originally founded in 1905 in Chicago by a lawyer. The De Aar branch was founded on 14 May 1958.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-17308625372807295552008-06-14T20:55:00.000+02:002008-06-14T20:56:19.725+02:00

Upington Town Rugby Club celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The club was founded in 1908. In the early days, a week-long rugby knock-out tournament was held in Kenhardt and contested by Upington, Keimoes, Kakamas and Kenhardt. The Kenhardt Merchants Cup was sponsored by local businesses. From 1955 to 1970 the club faced several financial crises, but thanks to the efforts of Jack Horn, a

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-8957128725576730162008-06-06T20:46:00.000+02:002008-06-06T20:47:31.438+02:00

The Pretoria East cemetery has been vandalised again. Copper lettering and photo frames were ripped and stolen. As it is the municipality's duty to look after cemeteries, some of the deceased's families are planning to sue the municipality.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-34670107873265753572008-06-06T20:42:00.000+02:002008-06-06T20:43:06.950+02:00

Community libraries country-wide have been allocated R338 million for the current financial year in an effort to promote a culture of reading. Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan announced that the National Library will receive R65.3 million while national museums will receive R409.9 million.The minister also allocated R1 million towards the building of a library in Timbuktu, Mali, a donation

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-52864658019883080792008-06-06T20:35:00.003+02:002008-06-14T21:33:04.262+02:00

Gloria Emslie is organising a reunion of the descendants of Robert Emslie. This will take place in September 2010, in Grahamstown. For more info contact Millicent: hughe@isat.co.zaMarielle Ford is organising a reunion of the descendants of Isaac Wiggill, 1820 Settler. This will take place in Grahamstown on 20 September 2008. For more info contact Marielle: marielle@intekom.co.za

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-90300188924883545072008-06-06T20:32:00.000+02:002008-06-06T20:33:36.556+02:00

For The Sake Of Silence, by Michael Cawood Green, published by Umuzi.Michael Cawood Green was born and raised in Pinetown. He heads the School of Literary Studies, Media and Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This book traces the founding of the Trappist monastery at Mariannhill, near Pinetown, as well as the religious career of Franz Pfanner, its founder and abbot. The Trappists,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-21479378743562560812008-06-06T20:19:00.000+02:002008-06-06T20:22:21.551+02:00

The construction of a new fire station at Sir Lowry's Pass in Somerset West has been delayed by the discovery of a pauper's graveyard on the proposed site. An archaeological assessment must now be completed before construction can begin. Farm 820 was apparently used as a graveyard in 1952-1954.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-2013955567812378912008-05-17T21:33:00.002+02:002010-05-11T20:41:29.349+02:00

The Battle of Witkloof (aka the Battle of Leliefontein), south-east of Belfast, took place on 07 November 1900, during the Anglo-Boer War. In 1951 it was still remembered with an annual service and parade - in Ottawa, Canada - on 07 November. A memorial service was also held at Witkloof each year until 07 November 1964. On the morning of 24 January 1900, Cmdt. Hendrik Frederik Prinsloo, led the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-22216760177111351432008-05-17T20:43:00.000+02:002008-05-17T20:44:26.503+02:00

The Melville Koppies, in Johannesburg, are popular with walkers and hikers. The nature reserve, split in two by Beyers Naudé Avenue, compromises 50 ha and has a number of routes. For those who are interested in the area's history, there are guided tours led by knowledgeable guides. The Melville Koppies has the remains of an19th century kraal, as well as an iron smelter. Parking is available at

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-66732457486349640322008-05-17T20:36:00.001+02:002008-05-17T20:36:51.054+02:00

St Cyprian’s Cathedral in Kimberley concluded its centenary celebrations this month. The Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman, the Rt Rev. Oswald Swartz, unveiled a centenary plaque to mark the occasion. The cathedral’s centenary was launched last year when Bishop Crowther visited forty years after his deportation from Kimberley in 1967. Bishop Tom Stanage unveiled a plaque marking the century since

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-209494345822173412008-05-17T20:32:00.000+02:002008-05-17T20:33:02.898+02:00

The Mpumalanga Provincial Government is taking steps to record, preserve and present the province’s rich history. Premier Thabang Makwetla’s office is looking for private companies to implement and co-ordinate the province’s flagship programme - the Heritage, Greening Mpumalanga and Tourism Programme. The Heritage, Greening and Tourism Programme required expertise in various fields such as

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-25484475105641840092008-05-17T20:28:00.000+02:002008-05-17T20:29:43.565+02:00

Three family members from Mooi River in KwaZulu-Natal have been sentenced by the circuit High Court for stealing a yellowwood forest. Another three members of the Malenge Tribal Authority were also sentenced for their involvement in the crime, which conservationists estimate caused damage worth R8-million to the State forest. The trees were between 300 and 400 years old. Victor Terblanche, his

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-24043869560626170022008-05-17T20:22:00.000+02:002008-05-17T20:23:25.895+02:00

Danie Niehaus has opened a bush theatre in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains. He lived in Bloubergstrand for 30 years, but moved to Hoekwil where together with Elmi and Willem Smith, previous owners of Big Blue Cafe in Melkbosstrand, they've set up home. They created a natural amphitheatre behind their old farmhouse. There is a terrace with wooden tables where guests can have picnics while

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-25926537399335262882008-05-17T20:13:00.001+02:002008-05-17T20:15:55.407+02:00

The Vredefort Dome World Heritage site is under threat. It is believed that southern Africa is the cradle of mankind, and that this site is probably where life started. A meteorite slammed into the ground near what is now Vredefort in the Free State, leaving a crater 90 kilometres wide and 20 kilometres deep. Two thousand million years later, the Vredefort Dome Conservancy is relatively unknown

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-49741412999242843592008-05-17T19:52:00.001+02:002008-05-17T20:01:01.938+02:00

The Fitzsimons Snake Park, a landmark in Durban since 1938 and the second oldest reptile park in southern Africa, is a major tourist attraction, yet it faces closure any day now. That means moving the more than 250 snakes and 3000 other animals in a few days. eThekwini city manager Mike Sutcliffe gave the park notice that they had to move as demolishing the snake park was part of the city's

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-73196976908242655352008-04-27T19:30:00.000+02:002008-04-27T19:31:41.436+02:00

Irma Stern's paintiog, Pondo woman, which she painted in 1929, and Maggie Laubser's Woman in a blue kopdoek, were recently sold at an art auction in Johannesburg for more than R5 milllion. Stern's painting went for R2,82 million, while Laubser's went for R2,42 million - way more than the expected R1,5 million and R1 million respectively. The Stern painting came from the private collection of a

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-15587690393179639432008-04-27T18:48:00.001+02:002008-04-27T18:49:43.880+02:00

The Dock House Hotel opened its doors recently. The luxurious hotel is in a renovated historic building which was built in 1863 and once was the home of the harbour engineer. It was also one of the last remaining heritage sites at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. All the rooms feature relics from the past, with some being adapted to function in the modern designs. The building has Victorian

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-55051899883109148842008-04-27T18:28:00.001+02:002008-04-27T18:30:03.577+02:00

South Africa's first multi-lingual audio-visual guide for cellphones is ready for tourists. Mobiguide is a virtual travel guide and provides tourists with information about popular attractions. It is downloaded to a cellphone or personal media player. Mobiguide was created by Canadian Dan Seidman and South African Amanda Forsythe, who spent three years developing it. It was launched in Cape Town

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-39805648548789002832008-04-27T18:21:00.000+02:002008-04-27T18:24:10.912+02:00

Another of South Africa's green lungs, the Baakens River Valley in Port Elizabeth, is under threat as developers exploit a legal loophole to build high-rise buildings on the edge of the once pristine valley. Ecologists claim developers are killing off local fauna and flora, while environmentalists claim developers are illegally connecting storm-water drains to an already-overloaded sewerage

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-58317090986429651752008-04-27T18:11:00.000+02:002008-04-27T18:12:22.466+02:00

One of the oldest gentlemen's clubs in South Africa, the 113-year-old Albany Club at 114 High Street in Grahamstown, was saved by the woman who now heads the club. Club members include judges, advocates, attorneys, doctors, teachers, academics, farmers and business people. Eleanor Louw was recently elected as the first female president of Grahamstown‘s Albany Club. She is the financial manager of

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-41717273415187411312008-04-27T17:52:00.001+02:002008-04-27T17:57:12.825+02:00

The farm Deelkraal in the Potchefstroom-Fochville-Carletonville area was subdivided a few years ago and the present owners are still waiting to hear whether their farms will be appropriated. Farmers believe the land claim is not valid, yet they cannot go on with developments or investments on their land until the Land Claims Court makes a decision. There are graves dating to 1865 belonging to

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-46959635512280935892008-04-27T17:44:00.001+02:002008-04-27T17:44:49.449+02:00

The Magaliesberg area recently saw the biggest national flag in the world displayed on Silkaatsnek. The replica ZAR flag is 18 250 m², weighs more than 3,5 ton and covers more than 1,8 ha. It took more than two hours to spread the flag out over Sikaatsnek. The flag was a Guinness world record attempt, organised by Edwin Leemans and the Brits community.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-88538180624678901332008-04-27T17:32:00.000+02:002008-04-27T17:33:15.178+02:00

On 28 January 1902 there was a fierce battle between the British Royal Sussex Regiment and Boer commandos at Abrahamskraal in the Free State. Seven British and two Boers, including the farm owner, were killed on the battlefield that day. Three wounded British soldiers later died of their wounds. Last week a remembrance ceremony was held on a hill above Kalkfontein Dam, where Abrahamskraal used to

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-2176458914616693572008-04-27T17:23:00.001+02:002008-04-27T17:23:33.756+02:00

The Moffat Mission Station in Kuruman should be declared a heritage site, according to Miss Dipuo Peters, the Northern Cape Premier, speaking at a recent plaque ceremony at the site. The Scottisih missionary, Robert Moffat, lived there from 1820 to 1870, and built the Moffat Church which was completed in 1838. The first Tswana Bible was also translated and printed there.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-44007580628704247232008-04-27T17:18:00.000+02:002008-04-27T17:19:22.872+02:00

The Khoisan have, on their maternal side (mitochondrial DNS or mDNS), the oldest surviving branches of the human genetic family tree. They are said to have separated from the rest of the population about 90 000 and 150 000 years ago, and over a period of thousands of years, migrated to southern Africa where they lived in genetic isolation until 40 000 years ago. This is according to the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-67039727050213606622008-04-27T16:44:00.000+02:002008-04-27T17:05:27.589+02:00

The remains of about 2500 people, including slaves and Khoisan, uncovered during building operations in Prestwich Street, Green Point, in 2004 were given a final resting place in a newly-built ossuary at St Andrew's Square. Prestwich Place (corner of Prestwich and Alfred Streets) is one of the few known and identifiable burial places of the time, which served the city's poor. Bones were also

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-14276196386205265122008-04-19T20:15:00.000+02:002008-04-19T20:16:35.628+02:00

The Old Rectory, at the corner of Bull and Meeding Streets in Plettenberg Bay, might be developed as a boutique hotel. An application and basic assessment report for the development of the buildings has been submitted to the Bitou council by Domenico Property Developments of Plettenberg Bay. The Bitou council tabled a resolution stating that permission had been granted for rezoning of the area,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-45520585458162164512008-04-19T19:59:00.000+02:002008-04-19T20:10:50.350+02:00

The historical landmark in Constantia, the Glen Dirk Estate, will be partially subdivided into residential properties if the current application for rezoning and subdivision is approved. Owned by the Menell Family Trust since 1948, Glen Dirk Estate is a 55 ha property, off Klaasens Road in Constantia. The two large houses on the property were designed by Sir Herbert Baker. About 60% of the estate

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-20208309334097505252008-04-19T19:18:00.000+02:002008-04-19T19:19:20.918+02:00

Molteno Brothers (Pty) Ltd, one of Elgin's oldest farming operations dating back to 1903, through its Molteno Brothers Trust, has given an entire farm village to farmworkers. The Oaks Village, comprising 106 houses and including a school, a crèche, a library, sports fields, swimming pools, a clubhouse, a church, and a retirement home, was handed over to the families who have worked on the fruit

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-9918718375783125772008-04-19T19:10:00.002+02:002008-04-20T12:19:33.625+02:00

Professor Deon Knobel, a former resident of Bethlehem in the Free State, has protested about the heritage destruction in Bethlehem.Various sandstone buildings have already beeen damaged or lost in the name of "development". Prof. Knobel, now living in Cape Town, cites the example of Dr. Jannie Loubser's old house which was demolished a few years ago, with the then mayor of Bethlehem's approval.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-46328802280912580392008-04-19T18:41:00.000+02:002008-04-19T18:51:30.568+02:00

Malcolm Anderson's private museum is for anyone who loves technology - machinery, equipment, engines. Anderson (62) lives on a property overlooking the Byrne Valley in KwaZulu-Natal. He's been collecting old things for about 50 years. The museum is open to the public and is situated on Minerva private nature reserve. He has several business interests in Richmond. There are several thousand items

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-46047877884056093422008-04-19T18:13:00.001+02:002008-04-19T18:13:56.213+02:00

Thieves recently stole two horns from a mounted white rhinoceros at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town. The theft is the latest in a series targeting rhino horn at museums. The thieves smashed a reinforced glass cabinet and ripped the horns off one specimen, but could not remove those from another, even though the museum had 24-hour security. The two rhinos on display were historical

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-7137888123450873922008-04-19T18:06:00.002+02:002008-04-19T18:09:14.530+02:00

A 1904 narrow-gauge railway coach has been restored to its former glory. Coach NG59, an 18-seat, four- compartment carriage with its own toilet, was built by the Bristol Carriage & Wagon Company in the UK. The restoration team included coachbuilders Clive Nel and Pieter van Rooyen, undercarriage builder Willie Schaap, steam fitter Nico Bezuidenhout, process worker Manie Mampen, and Vuyani Dakuse,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-88703780016397905432008-04-19T17:58:00.000+02:002008-04-19T18:00:13.210+02:00

Santarama Miniland, on the banks of Wemmer Pan in Johannesburg's southern suburbs, was opened in 1973 as a fund-raising venture for the South African National Tuberculosis Association (Santa). The 8-acre parkland houses miniature replicas in 1:25 scale of many South African landmarks such as Jan Smuts Airport, the Union Buildings, the Snowflake flour mills in Isando, the Telkom Tower in

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-26000530634056826192008-04-19T17:47:00.000+02:002008-04-19T17:48:19.540+02:00

Planet Springs is a unique coffee shop with a history. The corrugated iron house, with its green roof and chickens in the yard, belongs to Gert (aka Swanni) Swanepoel, who is passionate about the town's history. The house is the oldest one in Springs, the earliest record dating back to 1886 which mentions that the owner wanted to give some of his pears to President Paul Kruger. The same pear

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-33660722900424525942008-04-19T17:33:00.000+02:002008-04-19T17:36:26.118+02:00

The Van Tilburg Museum at the University of Pretoria (UP) houses a collection of about 8000 ceramic pieces. The latest addition comes from the van Zyl family. A rare porcelain serving plate, made in England in 1901, was donated by Lynette van Zyl. The plate belonged to her grandmother who bought it during the Anglo-Boer War. The plate was made by Ceramic Art Company Ltd. of Crown Potteries in

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-28457825470887265712008-04-19T17:27:00.000+02:002008-04-19T17:28:15.771+02:00

Bram Fischer would have been 100 years old this year. The National Museum in Bloemfontein recently received a collection of objects that belonged to him. They were donated by his daughters, Ruth Rice and Ilse Wilson, and include the christening robe in which Bram was christened, the rugby jersey and shorts he wore during the Test match between the Free State and the All Blacks at Ramblers in 1928

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-54412910763765988842008-04-19T17:23:00.001+02:002008-04-19T17:23:55.958+02:00

David Taylor and Catherina (aka Katrien) Mattheus recently got married at Stuart's Garden, Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Dave, from Bristol, England, is a businessman and former rugby player for Bath Rugby Club in Somerset, England. Katrien, the only daughter of Adli Swart, wore a family heirloom wedding dress. The dress belonged to her great-grandmother and was made of pure silk chiffon imported

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-40509387911299855482008-04-19T17:14:00.003+02:002008-04-19T17:38:57.608+02:00

Southern Right Hotel, a century-old Glencairn landmark hotel, is looking at possible new landlords as an auction is set to take place on Tuesday 15 April. The land and buildings housing the hotel, Flukes restaurant, the Blowhole pub and several small businesses are to go under the hammer. The hotel has been a prominent feature of the False Bay coastline since 1904 and was previously known as the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-72067328781596025012008-04-19T17:02:00.002+02:002008-04-19T17:07:40.059+02:00

Johan Krige, of Caledon Villa Guest House in Stellenbosch, has helped reconstruct a Krige family burial vault that was built in 1842. Six years ago he received a photo of the neglected vault at the Stellenbosch Dutch Reformed Church. The vault was built by Carl Otto Hager for Willem Adolph Krige of the farm Uiterwyk. Hager was a well-known architect who built many churches. Willem Adolph Krige

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-90780226139510255982008-03-24T14:27:00.000+02:002008-03-24T14:28:22.472+02:00

Six million Jews died in the Holocaust. Durban now has its own place of remembrance for them. The Durban Holocaust Centre, housed at the Durban Jewish Centre in Old Fort Road, was recently opened. One of the guest speakers was a local resident who survived the holocaust, Jack Puterman. The centre was designed by Linda Bester, who also designed the Cape Town Holocaust Centre. It cost more than R1-

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-88014174717321215412008-03-24T14:00:00.000+02:002008-03-24T14:01:24.858+02:00

A death mask of Afrikaner nationalist General Koos de la Rey was recently revealed in public in Houghton, Johannesburg. DNA tests by Unistel Medical Laboratories confirmed that the plaster of Paris mask belonged to the Anglo-Boer War hero. The mask is believed to be the only one of its kind ever found in Africa. Dutch-born sculptor Anton van Wouw made the death mask just a few hours after the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-92012654210583348172008-03-24T13:48:00.001+02:002008-03-24T13:51:07.693+02:00

The Sea Point promenade is under threat and a campaign to save it from being disfigured by a major development on both sides of the pavilion and its swimming pools, is underway. Since its earliest days, Capetonians and visitors have enjoyed walking along the promenade, children have played on the swings and roundabouts, families have had picnics on the lawns, and impromptu games of soccer and

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-12893529351081771122008-03-24T13:40:00.001+02:002008-03-24T13:41:47.765+02:00

The Afrikaans language has its own private museum. The Huis vir Afrikaanse poësie (hAp) in Capital Park, Pretoria, is being set up as a private museum by Charl Pretorius. It will open to the public in July. The history of the language, alongside that of Namakwa-Afrikaans, Bo-Kaap-Afrikaans, Oranjerivier-Afrikaans and other dialects, will be on display. The museum is looking for any donations of

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-31699908682919702372008-03-24T13:26:00.000+02:002008-03-24T13:27:19.361+02:00

Kwazulu-Natal’s MEC for Art, Culture and Tourism, Weziwe Thusi, will hold a public hearing on 15 April to decide on the future of historic Indian artefacts that were held by the Durban Documentation Centre. The centre, which housed material relating to the history of Indians in South Africa, was closed down in January. The centre was home to musical instruments, clothing, documents, books and

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-83978454331016277242008-03-24T13:18:00.001+02:002008-03-24T13:26:12.220+02:00

Rare Africana books will go on auction in London at Bonhams on 01-02 April. The auction includes early grammar books in Nama, Sotho, Xhosa and Zulu. The collection belonged to an English couple, John and Monica Lawson. Many of the books were written by early missionaries and published in Britain. A very rare copy of Dr. Wilhelm Bleek's "Uber den Ursprung der Sprache", published in Cape Town in

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-12960774725030691752008-03-24T13:01:00.003+02:002008-03-24T13:09:11.933+02:00

Former President Nelson Mandela's house in Orlando West, Soweto, will undergo renovations to restore it to its original state, according to the Soweto Heritage Trust. The house, now called the Mandela Family Museum, at 8115 Ngakane Street, will be closed until November while work is in progress. Mandela moved into the four-roomed house in 1946 with his first wife, Evelyn Ntoko Mase. After their

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-69874257316316820062008-03-24T12:45:00.001+02:002008-03-24T12:56:15.291+02:00

Prof. Guillaume Brümmer, Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven's only grandson, attended the recent opening of the Langenhoven Arts and Culture Centre at Arbeidsgenot in Oudtshoorn. Arbeidsgenot was Langenhoven's last residence. The Langenhoven Memorial Trust was established in 1951 after Vroutjie (Langenhoven's wife, Magdalena Maria) left Arbeidsgenot to the country as an arts and culture centre.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-20088982327863501152008-02-27T13:23:00.003+02:002008-02-27T13:35:13.141+02:00

Last year, Gauteng province only used 5,3% of its budget for public library service improvements. The Eastern Cape province used R29 000 of its R22 million budget and the Western Cape province only 23,7%. These figures were shown in the presentation to Parliament's standing committee on finances. The nine provinces received R180 million, spread over three years, last year to improve library

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-84780979025724171852008-02-27T13:10:00.000+02:002008-02-27T13:11:16.878+02:00

The skeletal remains, possibly of a Khoisan man who died 500 years ago, were recently found by builders in Elands Bay, about 220 kilometres from Cape Town. A skull and forearm was found buried about 1.2 metres deep. The bones were found in an upright, seated position. Archaeology students at the University of Cape Town are investigating. The last major bone discovery in the Cape Town area was in

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-73477563413523341792008-02-27T13:02:00.003+02:002008-02-27T13:05:35.310+02:00

The NGK Horison-Noord in Roodepoort unveiled a private memorial wall last week, dedicated to the memory of police members who have paid the highest price in the line of duty. The wall is in the church's Garden of Remembrance.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-86424322653717829732008-01-08T15:08:00.000+02:002008-01-08T15:57:56.688+02:00

A new South African newsletter, Bygones & Byways, is now available. Bygones & Byways is an independent, privately published publication which has something for everyone, whether you are just starting to trace your family tree or have been doing so for many years. Find out about the hidden history of little-known places and people, what is available in old records and more amongst the feature

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-15085371939171388302007-06-10T18:26:00.000+02:002007-06-10T18:28:01.725+02:00

It is hoped that the revitalisation of the Grand Parade, South Africa's oldest public space, will be completed before the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The Grand Parade is the traditional heart of Cape Town. From here people such as General Jan Smuts, the Royal Family, and Nelson Mandela have addressed the public. Recently, the revitalisation project has led to the discovery of canals built in the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-7286337283759087612007-06-10T17:56:00.000+02:002007-06-12T18:12:32.166+02:00

According to the Democratic Alliance (DA), the official opposition party, more than 14,000 objects, artefacts and art works have been stolen from South Africa's museums, galleries, churches and other heritage institutions in the past four years. DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard was speaking in the National Assembly during debate on the Arts and Culture budget vote, when she said the management of the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-39304902723904086952007-06-10T17:40:00.000+02:002007-06-10T17:46:05.418+02:00

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Schoeman Street, Pretoria, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Since it's foundation in 1907, the church has only had two organists. The first one was John YATES, from 1908 to 1962. He was followed by his son-in-law, Robin BRYANT, who is now 76 years old and still plays the organ which has 3,500 pipes.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1142042385199485652006-03-11T03:59:00.000+02:002006-03-11T03:59:45.210+02:00

The Baviaanskloof Tourism Route was recently launched. The route’s aim is to capture all the kloof’s many attractions and to encourage visitors to stay longer. The route was created in collaboration with the people of the kloof, the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve Project, Rand Merchant Bank as the funding agency and Open Africa, an NGO under the patronage of Nelson Mandela with the vision of

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1142041902010156362006-03-11T03:51:00.000+02:002006-03-11T03:51:42.066+02:00

The town of Victoria West in the Karoo is a little treasure trove. The town still has original Karoo houses that have remained unchanged. It is also home to the Victoria Trading Post (which includes the Mannetjies Roux Museum), a shop in the same tradition as Oom Samie se Winkel in Stellenbosch.The shop is owned by Mannetjies Roux's wife, Charlotte, whose sister Joyce Aucamp owns Oom Samie se

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141996893032641692006-03-10T15:21:00.000+02:002006-03-10T15:31:48.216+02:00

Routes to Roots: A collection of Web sites for South African genealogy & family history research. Compiled by a top South African professional genealogist, Anne Lehmkuhl, this e-book is a must for those looking for South African genealogy and family history on the Internet. It helps you get to the right places, quickly and efficiently. Routes to Roots contains 900+ Web sites or contact

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141859157176875732006-03-09T01:05:00.000+02:002006-03-09T01:05:59.810+02:00

Zoo Lake, in Johannesburg, celebrated its 100th birthday recently. In 1904, the land around the Johannesburg Zoo and Zoo Lake in the Herman Eckstein Park was ceded in trust to residents of Johannesburg to be used as a public park, by Werner Beit and Company which later became Rand Mines. In February 1906 the council looked at the possibility of establishing an artificial lake. Once agreed to, it

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141849561620808092006-03-08T22:26:00.000+02:002006-03-08T22:26:01.630+02:00

KwaZulu-Natal's provincial heritage association, Amafa, recently issued a warning that military graves and battlefields in the province do not contain any valuable relics. This was following yet another incident of vandalism on a military grave, in which vandals smashed the Gloucestershire Memorial at Rietfontein near Ladysmith, digging up the grave of the regiment’s commanding officer, Colonel

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141849313551114242006-03-08T22:21:00.000+02:002006-03-08T22:21:53.553+02:00

South Africa's libraries are to get a R1bn funds injection over the next three years, according to Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan. Other infrastructure overhauls included the National Archives in Pretoria. A R700m extension to the National Archives has been approved and is in the design phase.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141849173338891492006-03-08T22:19:00.000+02:002006-03-08T22:19:33.343+02:00

Harrow Road in Johannesburg was recently renamed Joe Slovo Drive. City bosses said the renaming was in remembrance of the veteran freedom fighter who died from cancer in 1995. Slovo spent his early years in Yeoville. He was arrested and detained for two months during the treason trial of 1956. During his years in exile, he lived in the UK, Angola, Mozambique and Zambia, returning to South Africa

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141848791290978452006-03-08T22:13:00.000+02:002006-03-08T22:15:09.613+02:00

May 2010 will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Rhenish School. In 1860 the German mission that established the Rhenish Church on the Braak, started a school for the daughters of the missionaries. Rhenish Girls' High is the oldest girls' school in South Africa. Towards the end of its first century, the school was bursting out of its historic premises alongside the Braak. A new

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141848474349156742006-03-08T22:07:00.000+02:002006-03-08T22:07:54.366+02:00

The renovation and maintainance of the graves of about 25 000 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) was officially handed over to the South African government last year. Over 200 cemeteries throughout South Africa will be renovated, with the UK government and private sponsors providing the £800 000 required over the next four years. A further £150 000 will be made

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141847940882721812006-03-08T21:59:00.000+02:002006-03-08T21:59:00.890+02:00

The cemetery at the corner of Front and Powell Streets in Wellington, is where thousands of Wellington residents rest, but it is now overgrown and drug users and criminals hang out there. A visitor from Denmark, June Nielsen-Ferreira, who could not trace her ancestors’ graves when she visited the site, complained to the local authorities about the disgraceful loss of a major part of Wellington’s

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141847355056996442006-03-08T21:49:00.000+02:002006-03-08T21:49:15.063+02:00

The village of Rhodes, at the southern end of the mighty Drakensberg and named for Cecil John Rhodes, has no street lights and most houses have no electricity. The village looks much the same as it did in 1891. It has about 70 houses and a few full time residents. Only eight new houses have been built since the late 1980s. Visitors go there for the peace and quiet, to get away from the rushed

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141846403527878852006-03-08T21:33:00.000+02:002006-03-08T21:33:23.543+02:00

Durban High School celebrates its 140th anniversary this year. The school started as a one-room school in 1866 and has produced pupils such as Lance Klusener and Hashim Amla, the first Indian to represent South Africa in the Test arena. The present school principal David Magner, is himself a former pupil. Celebrations will include an old boys’ dinner in London.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141845810391182262006-03-08T21:23:00.000+02:002006-03-08T21:23:30.396+02:00

A statue of Chief Tshwane is is to be placed at the entrance of Tshwane City Hall in Paul Kruger Street. It was done by sculptor Angus Taylor, who also created the Solomon Mahlangu statue in Mamelodi. Taylor was able to make contact with some of the Tshwane descendants. Chief Tshwane lived in the 1600s and his sculpture was based on photos of his descendants and drawings done by missionaries. The

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141845415885297632006-03-08T21:16:00.000+02:002006-03-08T21:16:55.893+02:00

The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court recently fined architect and developer Justus van der Hoven R300 000 after he demolished a listed 1930s heritage building. He also received a five-year suspended sentence. The South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) said that this was the first time that a jail sentence had been imposed for this type of crime and R300 000 is the heaviest fine imposed to

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141844873713117492006-03-08T21:07:00.000+02:002006-03-08T21:07:53.726+02:00

Creighton, in southern KwaZulu-Natal, has a beautiful railway station. It is built in the traditional Natal veranda style and cost R4.6 million. It is also used as the civic offices of the Ingwe Municipality and a tourist information centre. The Johannesburg-based Bushveld Safari charter train stops at the station on its way to Kokstad and Matatiele in East Griqualand. The old Creighton station

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141844093564649182006-03-08T20:54:00.000+02:002006-03-08T20:54:53.593+02:00

Donkey tours are available in Nieu-Bethesda, the village that is home to the famous Owl House and written about in Athol Fugard’s play, Road to Mecca. Eight years ago Jakob van Staden started his donkey tour business, taking tourists through the town. Although the business is seasonal, he now earns enough to see him through the lean times. He also transports brides to their weddings and takes

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141839680776561622006-03-08T19:41:00.000+02:002006-03-08T19:41:20.783+02:00

Mark Rose-Christie, based in Port Elizabeth, owns the Mystery Ghost Bus Tours of South Africa. He is looking at running ghost trips around Durban and is looking for information about haunted houses or buildings. If you have any interesting, ghostly tales about Durban, call Mark at 082 567 6554 or fax him at 041 360 1587.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1141839283267583972006-03-08T19:34:00.000+02:002006-03-08T19:34:43.273+02:00

!Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre is an hour's drive from Cape Town and is the only San-owned and operated heritage centre in the Western Cape. It is a joint venture between the San and the Ubuntu Foundation, a Swiss humanitarian initiative dedicated to the development of San peoples in Southern Africa. The San or Bushmen peoples of Southern Africa were the original inhabitants of

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134947457230386072005-12-19T01:10:00.000+02:002005-12-19T01:10:57.246+02:00

In 2003, the Baphiring tribe in the North West province honoured a Voortrekker, alongside his descendants, amongst them the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pik Botha. Thomas Frederik Dreyer was honoured with a memorial stone on the farm Rietfontein, which he owned in 1840. The farm was part of appropriated land in 1960 for homelands and was later given to the Baphiring tribe. Botha's research

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134946750575755142005-12-19T00:59:00.000+02:002005-12-19T00:59:10.586+02:00

The Lovemore family held a successful family reunion earlier this year in Port Elizabeth. The founder of the clan, according to Margaret Harradine’s book, Port Elizabeth, was Henry, born in London. He died at Bushy Park, the family home on the road to Seaview, in November 1851, when he was 76. Henry married four times. The Lovemore Story, a hard-cover book written by Bernard Johnson,

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134944087122249882005-12-19T00:14:00.000+02:002005-12-19T00:14:47.133+02:00

Retired Port Elizabeth primary school teacher Alda Augoustatos recently travelled to Nieu Bethesda to visit the Lettie de Klerk Memorial School, which is named after her grandmother. Alda donated a framed photograph of her grandmother, as well as sports and computer equipment. Four of Lettie’s original pupils were at the presentation. The school dates back to 1853 when it was called the London

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134943453739277142005-12-19T00:04:00.000+02:002005-12-19T00:04:13.840+02:00

The Melrose House Museum in Pretoria is undergoing restoration work, mostly to the outside. The curator's house in Burgerspark in Berea also had restoration work done recently. The work was done by the Tshwane Building Heritage Association (formerly Van der Stel Foundation). The chairman, Anton Jansen, oversees the work. Previous work done by the association includes a small chapel in Heroes'

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134928962479301662005-12-18T20:02:00.000+02:002005-12-18T20:02:42.526+02:00

The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria has a large collection of items dating from the Great Trek and the Anglo Boer War. Now staff are looking for articles dating from the 1938, 1949 and 1988 Great Trek commemorations. If you have something that you'd like to donate, call (012) 326 6770 or e-mail museum@voortrekkermon.org.za

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134923977663663022005-12-18T18:39:00.000+02:002005-12-18T18:39:37.676+02:00

For 10 years, the rail tracks in the Langkloof have slowly disappeared under the weeds as the rail traffic has disappeared. The railway once carried most of the valley’s apples and pears to the cooling sheds at Port Elizabeth harbour for export. The little country stations have been abandoned as the apples now go by truck, usually to Cape Town. More than 10 years after Spoornet officially closed

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134922313815969242005-12-18T18:11:00.000+02:002005-12-18T18:11:53.830+02:00

The South African Heritage Agency is fighting to preserve one of Gauteng’s last remaining mining villages. Van Ryn’s Deep, an 82-year-old village  In Main Reef Road, Mackenzie Park, Benoni, stands on private land and is provisionally protected from demolition. Yet some of the houses are being dismantled, even after the agency had obtained a protection order for the property. Van Ryn’s Deep is

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134920179121259972005-12-18T17:36:00.000+02:002005-12-18T17:36:19.126+02:00

The house in Brandfort where Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was banished to from 1977 to 1987, is to become a museum, library and guest house. Ms Madikizela-Mandela is looking for the gifts that were sent to her by people such as the Kennedys, to add to the house at 802 Maroka Street in Phutakhahle. The missing gifts include books, artefacts and paintings, confiscated by the state at that time. M.K.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134918670208649162005-12-18T17:11:00.000+02:002005-12-18T17:11:10.216+02:00

Blood Relatives is a photo essay by Cedric Nunn. He was born in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, in 1957 - the 5th of 7 children born to Herbert and Lily Nunn. The freelance photographer is based in Johannesburg. His family is of mixed European and Zulu descent, one of his great-grandfathers was John Dunn, friend of Zulu king Cetshwayo.  John was made a Zulu chief and had 48 wives. His descendants were

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134917896975961772005-12-18T16:58:00.000+02:002005-12-18T16:58:16.983+02:00

The historical Nederduits Hervormde Kerk in Rustenburg, situated in Church Street and dating back to 1853, is to be demolished to make place for a new shopping centre. Ds. Johan van Wyk said that the costs of maintaining the church have become unaffordable and crime in the area kept members away. The land was sold for R7,5 million. Some of the church's belongings were sold to other churches.

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134917081781877672005-12-18T16:44:00.000+02:002005-12-18T16:44:41.820+02:00

Muir College in Uitenhage was renamed in September to honour the South African national anthem composer Enoch Sontonga. He was born in Uitenhage in 1873 and composed Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika in 1897 while he was a teacher at a Methodist mission school in Johannesburg. The first stanza was written in Xhosa. Over the years the song has been translated to different languages. In 1923, one of the

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134866700707326642005-12-18T02:45:00.000+02:002005-12-18T02:45:00.716+02:00

In downtown Johannesburg there's a place where you can see 250 million years of local history in one day. MuseuMAfricA , in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, was the city's first fruit and vegetable market. MuseuMAfricA is Johannesburg's major history and cultural history museum. The structure of the original building, erected in 1913, has now been built into a modern building. Its collections have

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134865599581676612005-12-18T02:26:00.000+02:002005-12-18T02:26:39.626+02:00

The young Nelson Mandela was a regular customer in the 1950s, enjoying hot and spicy Indian food for as little as two shillings and six pence. Now Kapitan's is about to close after 120 years in business. The Kort Street restaurant was a Johannesburg landmark. Madanjit “Kapitan” Ranchod is the fourth generation of his family to have owned the restaurant. Nowadays the restaurant is only open only

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134860555288536782005-12-18T01:02:00.000+02:002005-12-18T01:02:35.296+02:00

Bill Hatley (83) of Worthing, England, recently took a trip down memory lane - in Cape Town. Bill's visit was a gift from his sons, Anthony and Chris, who had been fascinated by his stories of their father's time as an ambulance driver in World War II. Bill was 19 years old when he arrived in Cape Town in 1941 onboard the ship Sierra Leone from Newcastle. He was a member of 1 Squadron, RAF, which

Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735342638927398721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11208918.post-1134860119279363962005-12-18T00:55:00.000+02:002005-12-18T00:55:19.286+02:00

Donald Lamont, owner of the Swartberg Hotel in Prince Albert, has decided that the resident ghost must earn its keep. He hasn't seen the ghost. The 2 large oil paintings in the restaurant also undergo strange changes once a month. Hotel staff and some visitors claim to have seen it. The hotel was built in 1886. Donald often uses local story teller, Ailse Tudhope, to present ghostly story evenings

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