A big thank you to Glynnis Mungavin for arranging for me to photograph the College which is situated in Essenwood road on the Berea. The College has some truly magnificent buildings and the stain glass windows in the Library take the prize for the most striking feature in the school. The school is not only about the buildings but also of the achievements of the Scholars and Staff over the years ,that appear on the Honours Boards, and not to mention the warm welcome from the Headmaster and many of the Staff.
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Durban Girls College
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Heritage Statues and Symbols
The recent desecration of heritage symbols from the past, have behind them all the racial undertones that emerged in Nazi Germany with the destruction of Jewish property, and coupled with the current xenophobic attacks on immigrants, casts a shadow over this countries reputation, and is polarising people’s attitudes. The responsibility for protecting people and these assets lies mainly with the Department of Arts & Culture, and Police Services who need to show some leadership, or we can expect to see more of the same.
Healthy debate is to be encouraged, but mob rule, destruction and xenophobic actions have no place in this society.
Heritage structures and symbols play an important part in defining our past, and leave a record, good or bad, upon which healthy debate and research can assist in defining the future, or explaining our past. I doubt if there is any country in the world where there is consensus on the merits of these symbols, but in most civilised societies they are allowed to remain.
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Merchiston Prep (PMB) and Longmarket Street Girls School
What a warm welcome I received at these two Pietermaritzburg Schools that I photographed yesterday. A big thank you to Dave Beetar (Principal) at Merchiston Prep. and to both Derryl Muir (Principal) and Joslyn (School Secretary), at Longmarket Girls School, who went out of the way, and gave me access to the schools. They were particularly excited to be able to showcase their schools on my site which now has many of the older KZN schools featured.
Both these schools are in new premises, so the structures are more contemporary, but the records go back in time. Longmarket Girls, is in fact the oldest surviving Government Primary School for girls in the Province, dating back to 1890, and Merchiston Prep. to 1892.
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Umhlali Cemetery
I completed an unfinished shoot at the above cemetery and along with the usually interesting family graves such as Hulett, Balcolm, Thrings and Jex , was a gravestone of Ruby Natalie Garland who died in an air crash on Mount Kilimanjaro on 18 May 1955, aged 63.
I googled this air crash, which I was unaware of to find that the DC3 on route from Tanzania to Kenya flew straight into the mountain killing all on board, 4 crew and 18 pax. It would seem that pilot error was involved.
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Nkandla
The Nkandla district is a spectacularly scenic area north of the Tugela River, and the current interest in a large homestead in the region detracts from other interesting sites.
My trip with Alistair Peter, took in a Norwegian Mission near Entumeni, the pristine Nkandla indigenous forest, famous for its birdlife, Nkandla village itself with a sadly neglected cemetery, with military graves dating back to the Bhambatha Rebellion, and the return trip through the immense Insuze and Tugela valleys. The trip from Nkandla to Kranskop is mainly on a winding gravel road to Jamesons Drift, then along the Tugela river to Middle Drift and then on up to Kranskop on a new tar road. The route from Middle Drift up to Kranskop was the site of several forts, like Montgomery (at Middle Drift), Buckingham near the Kop and Cherry closer to Kranskop. These forts were used by the British invasion column into Zululand in 1879, however we could not find any trace of the forts. The scenic views on this drive are seriously worth a trip for those who love our rural settings. The Nkandla forest is one of KZN’s best kept secrets for birding and walks.
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Durnacol
A visit to these former thriving coal areas demonstrates the devastation on communities when areas have been fully exploited. It is sad to see formerly well run facilities, such as Clubs, Stadia, schools, and commercial establishments, degrading to the point that they cannot be rehabilitated. With some forethought more use could be made of the old infrastructure.
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Umhlanga Country Club
Thanks to Ian and Bill for allowing me to record the club.Sadly this club will before long be assigned to history.When established this club would have been on fringe land but now occupies prime real estate.A new shopping centre is planned for the site.
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Greenpoint Lighthouse 1905 – Clansthal
The Greenpoint Lighthouse at Clansthal has a commanding view from atop a steep hill and is immaculately maintained. It is not surprising in that the Keeper, Raymond Wyeness has been in the business for 33 years and his father before him. He says he has worked at some stage at most of South Africa’s and Namibia’s lighthouses over the years. This lighthouse was erected in 1905.
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Inanda Heritage Route
What an inspiring day ! Our great heritage and our great people. I hired the expertise of Bongani Mthembu a guide from Ethekweni Tourism to visit the amongst other sites, the Phoenix settlement established by Mahatma Ghandi, Inanda Seminary and Ohlanga Institute.
Thanks so much to Ayanda Ngcobo of the Seminary (superstar), Bongani and Mandla Nxumalo a tourism officer at Ohlanga, for an amazing day. I just wish more of my friends would take the trouble to experience this aspect of our heritage.
I also visited my long associated friend, Selby Sibusiso Ngcobo at his home at Amatikwe.
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South Coast Rail Bridges
I have just completed photographing the South coast bridges from Umbilo to Port Shepstone. Travelling along the south coast of KZN I have always been impressed with the multitude of bridges spanning the many rivers on the road & rail to the south. It has been invigorating to record these structures and to meet the characters making a living in their vicinity. MacNicols of Baysley, Tuckers of Ifafa and the management of the numerous clubs in between .Do some of these river names create images for the mind? – Mzimayi, Mahlongwana. Umkomaas, Mtwalume, Inshambili, Ifafa , Mzinto, Umgababa,Umlaas. Umhlatazana, Illovo, Mtenweni, Mpambanyoni?
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Pietermaritzburg Girls High School
The usual courtesy by schools was afforded to me by Pietermaritzburg Girls High School, and in particular by Brett Acutt, the Academic Administrator. Thank you for allowing me to record your school.
The School has a rich history dating back to 1925 and the main building (National Monument) is built in the Queen Anne Revival style. Several additions have taken place since and the school is in excellent condition with about 1164 scholars. The gardens and facilities are in exceptional condition and it is clear that there is great pride in the school.
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PMB Sanitorium – Old St Annes Hospital
Hospitals were certainly well built with interesting architectural merit. With the assistance of the local “caretaker” I managed to gain access to this old derelict hospital in Loop Street. It’s a bit like a time warp in that this hospital opened by Bishop Jolivet in 1898, and staffed by Augustinian Nuns , closed many years ago and has been boarded up. I understand that Arts & Culture may have plans for it but they need to hurry as the buildings, including the chapel are in serious decline. It would be great to see this Municipal owned property resurrected.
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North Coast – Hagemann Family
Whilst photographing the road and rail bridges of the North Coast I had the good fortune to meet Kim Hagemann on his farm near Zinkwazi. As well as allowing me to record the well kept family cemetery he also permitted me to photograph the private church and original farm house. The Hagemanns are descendants of Daniel and Caroline Nielson , who came out in August 1860 from Norway as Missionaries.
Thanks Kim for the information and hospitality.
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Ummgeni Steam Railway
Umgeni Steam Railway is a blast from the past and deserves support especially since so many of these narrow gauge railways have been given the chop. USR which runs from Kloof to Inchanga and back, takes about four hours including the stop over at the Inchanga market.
The steam train “”Wesley” runs on the last Saturday of the month(bookings required) and winds its way through Hillcrest, Bothas Hill, Drummond and the Valley of a Thousand Hills with the accompanying sounds of the puffing engine and squeals of delight from the enchanted children.
Booking at: Bruce at umgenisteamrailway.co.za or Bruce at 0878087715
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Midlands Meander – Glen Afton
It’s amazing how when you think you have covered most of the Meander sites or attractions that you still manage to come up with some undiscovered gems. Glen Afton is a case in point. This small farm near Mount West was established in the 1850’s, but it is the present owners who turn this serene location into a great experience. The combination of great hospitality, comfortable accommodation, good food and quiet, serene surrounds makes a visit here a must. Contact Julia at info@glenafton.co.za or www.glenafton.co.za
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Greytown Museum & drought
Last weeks revisit to Greytown was disturbing from the point of view of the effects of the current drought. I have never witnessed the town looking so dry at this time of the year. As of my visit, the Municipality had reduced water availability from 4am until 8am.
On a positive note the local Umvoti Greytown History Museum (a national monument) is well worth a visit with exhibits on the Umvoti Mounted Rifles, Boer War, Bambatha Rebellion, cultural displays and equipment amongst many other interesting displays.
The Museum itself is housed in the old Magistrates Residency which was built by Dr Birtwell c1850.
Tel: 033-4131171
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Verulam – Nwdedwe – Farm Ruins
On my way to Ndwedwe from Verulam I noticed a number of seemingly old homes on the sugar estates that were in a state of ruin. Some of the homes were of a grand style, but were now in ruins. The one farm had several ransacked homes with a baobab tree in the gardens and the other an abandoned Hindi Temple alongside what would have been a large mansion. The large Royal Palms testify to the age of these abandoned homes. I have been unable to unearth an explanation for this state of affairs.
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VERULAM – A.H.Dykes Corn Merchant & Miller
At the lower end of Wicks Street is the remains of the old Corn Mill a business started by Mr P Dykes in 1869. The mill crushed mealies and also was a granary. Dykes cut a 100 metre tunnel through solid rock, off the Umhloti River to drive his mill. Mr A.H.Dykes took over the mill from his father and grew the business and consigned product as far as Kimberly. (Ref: Twentieth Century Impressions of Natal – 1906 – Lloyds Greater Britain Publishing Company.) There was also a forge that carried out repairs to the transport vehicles used at the time, and a chimney still exists.
I recently visited the old mill with some old images taken before 1906 and was allowed to photograph inside and out. The old image and new are published here. The core of the building has changed very little but the roof has fallen in. The interior has still got the massive beams on the different levels, which are now exposed and rotting.
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Winterton Museum – John Weston : Pioneer, farmer,soldier, and aviator
Les Brook, a recent visitor to my site had noticed a couple of my images from the Winterton Museum of a motor caravan belonging to John Ludwick Weston. John Weston who farmed in the Winterton area has a fascinating history which included being a soldier, globetrotter and arguably South Africa’s first aviator. His incredible life can be explored more fully at Les’s well researched site at www.johnwestonpioneer.info It’s well worth a visit to find out more about this little known South African born explorer.
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Kamburg – Giants Castle – Drakensburg
The Kamburg valley which leads up to Highmoor and Giants Castle has to be one of the most picturesque valleys in SA. The backdrop of the mountains provides an ever changing landscape. You can experience all the seasons in a day which portray the area very differently depending on the weather. The area is home to many fine tourist establishments, particularly those forming part of the Midlands Meander. This blog incorporates several images of scenes on the same day.
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