What happened in Durban 50 years ago?
Last year I wrote up an article covering what happened in Durban 50 years ago. I used my late father in law’s newspaper cut-outs as reference. I am doing the same this year so here goes:
1962.
The winners of the Dusi Canoe Marathon were the doubles pair, Derek Antrobus and Peter Gladwin of Pietermaritzburg.
The first intake of Active Citizen Force trainees from Durban leave Durban Station on Jan 2nd to join their country wide counterparts at various military basic training bases. ACF Military Training of 9 months duration is now virtually compulsory for every able bodied white male. My turn came up in April when the second batch were called up.
Durban’s claim to be the third largest city in South Africa is refuted. The 3rd largest city is awarded to Soweto.
The Transvaal Castle, built in 1961, one of two new Union Castle ships arrived in Durban on her maiden voyage. In 1966 she was sold to the South African Marine Corporation , “Safmarine” who now joined Union Castle on the South Africa–UK run. In 1977, the SA Vaal was sold to a consortium and used for cruising in the Caribbean under the name “Festivale”.
Marcel Marceau, much acclaimed as one of the greatest mimes ever, has a week long run of performances at the Alhambra Theatre in March.
Kingsmead Sports Ground in Old Fort Road is considered for demolition as the ground falls into major disrepair.
Though not Durban related, John Glenn becomes the first American astronaut in space as he orbits the Earth 3 times in 4 hours 56 minutes before splashing down in the Caribbean near Puerto Rico. He was the third person in space after Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov.
Miss Geraldine Waters is chosen as Miss Freshette at University of Natal Freshers’ Ball held at the Athlone Hotel. The two runners up are Miss Rosemary Mackenzie and Miss Lee Parker. All of Durban.
The Passion Play presented every 5 years is being performed in Durban. Directed by Father Noel Coughlan, David Horner takes the role of Christ for the 3rd time. Durban is the only city in the world allowed to present the Passion Play getting special permission from Oberammergau.
The tragic death of Terence John Flusk (17) having been assaulted at a house party shocks Durban. The accused aged 18, is found guilty of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The death of Terence was remembered by his mother and family annually on March 10th in a memorial insert in the Durban newspapers. The last I saw it was in 2007.
“The Natal Daily News”, probably Natal’s favourite newspaper, changes its masthead to “The Daily News” on Monday 26th March 1962.
The Durban City Council gives approval for flowers to be sold inside the main entrance of Stellawood Cemetery. How many remember the flowers sold on the pavement by Mrs Barbieri outside her home in Stella Road near Stellawood?
The New Nurses’ Home at Addington Hospital under construction is making good progress and will open in 1963.
Mr Izak van Heerden, a master at Durban High School, is chosen as Manager of the Springbok rugby team to play the British Lions in a four match test series. Izak van Heerden as manager/coach of the Natal rugby team was instrumental in raising Natal’s stature as a provincial rugby team.
The Jones Car Tyre and Retreading Company of 60 Pine Street is totally destroyed in a fire.
Dudley Andrews, who played a major role in the development and teaching of ballroom dancing in Durban dies at the age of 53. His dance studio called “Dudley Andrews” was in Kent House, West Street. His wife carried on the studio, many teenagers and young adults learning the intricacies of the quick step, fox trot, waltz, jive and the hot dance of the time, the cha cha.
The Durban Ocean Terminal is opened coinciding with the arrival of the new flagship of the Union Castle Line , the Windsor Castle. Sadly today a white elephant.
The 1962 Comrades Marathon, an up run, is won by John Smith of the UK in 5 hrs 57 mins and 5 secs. Jackie Mekler is second, 7 minutes behind. The race was run on 30th May.
The first 80 families of the Zanzibari Indian Community who lived on the Bluff are moved to Chatsworth. This 600 strong community, the descendants of slaves, were living in an area overlooking Durban off Bluff Road. I have an idea the cemetery was left intact. The Zanzibari community dates back to 1873.
With South Africa now a republic, the Durban City Council decides that the Union Jack will no longer be flown from the flag pole on the City Hall portico. 50 people gather to watch the lowering of the flag for the last time at 5 pm. At the time there was a rash of car bumper stickers proclaiming “Natal – the last Colonial Outpost” which featured the Union Jack.
A South African Airways Skymaster “Lebombo” and a South African Air Force Harvard trainer collide over the Bluff. The Harvard crashes on the Bluff with pilot and co pilot parachuting to safety. The Skymaster is able to land with a severely damaged tail fin.
In April, the Convent School in St. Andrew’s Street closes with the transfer of the school to a totally new facility in Glenmore. The nuns’ convent in Convent Lane, at the back of the Durdoc Centre, was also vacated when the nuns moved to Glenmore.
The Durban July is won by a 16-1 rank outsider called Diza with apprentice Aubrey Roberts up. Second is White Foam, then the favourite Jerez and The Giant ran in fourth.
The second rugby international, South Africa vs. British Lions, is played at Kings Park Durban on July 21st. Keith Oxlee, the Natal fly half kicks a penalty and scores the only points in a hard fought match.
The Twine’s Hotel, corner Gardiner Street and the Esplanade, closes it doors and is due for demolition. The hotel was built in 1902.
Following much local support in a “Save Kingsmead” campaign, restoration of the old grandstand and the wooden stands starts in earnest. Local firms pitch in with contributions of material required.
The Durban Gold Cup horse race is won by a 20-1 outsider, Speciality, ridden by T. Lange. Runners up were New Chief, The Giant and West Point. The favourite Scotfree runs fourth from last. Punters having a bad year!
The Durban firm, Natal Glassworks, 53 Williams Road is gutted by fire.
The Durban – Kwa Mashu train line is opened with an hourly train service.
The Natal Grand Prix is run at the Westmead Race Circuit on 22nd December. The Grand Prix is won by Team Lotus with Trevor Taylor the winner, just edging out Jim Clark. Richie Ginter of Team BRM is third and South African Neville Lederle fourth. A short while after the grand prix, whilst practising for the South African Grand Prix at the Westmead Circuit in Pinetown, Gary Hocking, a Rhodesian motor ace loses control of his Lotus Climax, collides with a tree and is killed.
In my review of 1962, I recorded the passing of Terence Flusk. I came across this in the Sunday Tribune 11/3/2012:
What happened in Durban during 1972?
Demolition begins at an old Durban landmark, Yorkshire House on the corner of Field and Smith Street. The site will become the new headquarters for General Accident Insurance and will accommodate a new multi-storey building. Yorkshire House was cornered between the OK Bazaars in Smith Street and Stuttafords in Field Street.
The Channon Report concerning improving productivity in Municipal Services is tabled before the Durban City Council. Councillor Mrs. Pat Geary strongly urges the Durban City Council to revise the present long winded procedures of present day local municipal government.
A major blaze occurs at the oil refinery at Reunion. The fire breaks out 240 metres from the main refinery installation and clouds of black smoke can be seen all over Durban.
The area below the stage in the Durban City Hall is excavated to accommodate a mechanically elevated section which will increase the stage area. The City Hall floor was also to be replaced. I remember that on completion, there were signs posted outside the entrance doors of the hall stating, “ No stiletto heels are allowed”, these being high fashion at the time.
The French luxury liner, France, pays a rare visit to Durban.
The South African “Book of Life” to replace the green ID cards is introduced.
HUNUC (Habitat University of Natal Underwater Club) is prepared for its submergence off the Durban Coast. Vaughn Stone is one of the “inhabitants” who with others will live in the specially built and designed steel structure. The interior includes a 4 plate stove, landline telephones, a fridge, shower and toilet. Trials are undertaken in Durban Harbour when the “craft” is submerged alongside a wharf. Admiral Johnson of the SA Navy who launches the “craft” is not sure if he is “launching a ship, a submarine or a house”. Four teams of divers and researches will each spend 7 days underwater carrying out observations and experiments. A later entry in the scrapbook. Thousands watched as the underwater habitat HUNUC is towed out to sea in May. Hours later the habitat lay on the sea bed opposite Addington Hospital, a battered wreck!
Durban’s Mayor Mr Goldman starts the 1972 Durban to Johannesburg (DJ) motor cycle rally.
Moira Wood is chosen Rag Queen 1972 with Sue Clarence and Ruanne Louw as princesses.
History of Old Durban, and Reminiscences of an Emigrant of 1850 by George Russell, is reprinted by T.W. Griggs after being out of print for many years. This book was written by Russell at the suggestion of George Christopher Cato, Durban’s first mayor. My late father in law bought a copy then which I have today. An excellent book to have if you are interested in the foundation years of Durban.
Mrs Joan Cashmore, widow of renowned British architect, Mr F. Milton Cashmore, visits Durban and appeals for the preservation of old buildings such as The Marine Hotel, and the Old Mutual Building in Gardiner Street. Mrs Cashmore states, “ The history of Durban may not be long, but it is rich in valour and achievement and it will lose its character if buildings which are vital links between past events and present are pulled down.” The Marine Hotel and the Old Mutual Building are both eventually demolished.
Warrant Officer, Mickey Doo who was the Station Commander of the Cato Manor Police Station during the 1960 riots dies in Krugersdorp at the age of 63. Those who remember the violent riots which claimed the lives of 9 policemen may recall the hordes of Blacks who rampaged down the “old” Berea Road finally being stopped at the Berea Road/ Umbilo Road intersection to prevent them from reaching the CBD. I recall as a senior student at St Henry’s the mobs making their way past the school via Marists Road. The military eventually used the school grounds as a “military base” with a couple of armoured vehicles stationed there.
The first super tanker to make use of Durban’s offshore single buoy mooring, BP / Shell’s British Explorer, discharges 207 000 tons of crude oil.
The Durban – Johannesburg oil pipeline bursts at Bellair and millions of litres of partly refined oil spews into the Bay from the Umbilo Canal. A tight security net is thrown along the entire area as there is a risk of a flash fire. The threat was such that army commandos, city and railway police were called out at night to man roadblocks and to line the entire route of the break to prevent the public from approaching the breach.
Jock Leyden the noted Natal cartoonist celebrates 35 years service with the Daily News.
The 1972 July is won by In Full Flight (5-1 odds) , ridden by Raymond Rhodes and is trained by David Payne, the youngest trainer in the race. Pedlar runs second, King’s Guard third and Angelina fourth. The hot favourite Mazarin at 6-4 runs ninth. David Payne eventually emigrated to Australia.
The Comrades Marathon is “invaded” by a team from English running club, Tipton Harriers who make a clean sweep. The 8 man, Tipton Harriers team make off with the Winner’s Cup as well as the first novice home, Mike Orton, and the Gunga Din Shield for the team. The team consists of Ron Bentley (Captain) Gordon Bentley, Ron Copson, Mike Orton, Bill Carr, George Johnson, John Malpas and Tony Burkett. Second home was Dave Bagshaw who won in 1971, followed by Dave Box. Mike Orton won in a record time of 5 hours 48 minutes 57 seconds for the up run. Unofficial runners amongst others, Christoff Mabiso and Simon Mkhize complete the course for the first time.
Stephanie Reinecke of Durban is chosen as Miss South Africa. She is the seventh Miss South Africa from Natal in the 16 years the competition has been held. Stephanie only makes the final 15 in the Miss World Competition held in London.
The Gold Cup is won by Humdinger ridden by Ron Roberts followed by Free Style and Fleet Owner who dead heated for second with Indian Boy fourth.
Edgar Adeler, the honky-tonk pianist at the Malibu Hotel’s Father’s Moustache celebrates his 78th birthday at the nightspot with a birthday bash.
The worst fire in three years in Durban completely guts the Cinerama Theatre (corner Smith and Aliwal Streets) , previously the 20th Century. The fire also destroys the photographic studio in the same building. Eight fire engines fail to save the building.
Share this:
Melanie
Very interesting read. Thanks for taking the time to write it all up. I’m looking forward to later years…I wasn’t yet born in ’62. I arrived in Durban on the Windsor Castle in ’73 as a baby.
Don
Hi
Loved the article.
Does anyone have details of crimes in night clubs during 1988/1990
Kind regards
Don Chandler
Email impisicollectionsp@gmail.com
Cellphone no 061 4872570
Claudia Levarelli
Dear Gerald, what a lovely contribution. May I ask that in this contribution you please add ‘Thomas More School’ now Thomas More College, opened its doors to 55 boys on 1 February 1962. The school now holds 1192 boys and girls to date.
shirlee Naidoo
I was born in 1966. I am so privileged to read about these article. I was only seven years old at that period of time. I have very little memory about Durban and Chatsworth when I was seven . I am so blessed and homered to know the things that happen when I was little girl. Amazing stories to tell my grand children. God bless shirlee Naidoo Bayview
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Claudia,
You have just added it with your comment. My late father in law obviously did not add the opening to his scrapbook or it may not have been prominently displayed in the newspaper. Why do I seem to recall that the School was opened by the late Archbishop Denis Hurley or am I wrong.?
Gerald.
Claudia Levarelli
Dear Gerald
The school had the Archbishops patronage and support. It was a dream soon realised by the late Robin Savory and the Archbishops brother, Chris Hurley. Chris Hurley was our Headmaster (1970-78), successive to Robin Savory (1962-70).
ivan beal
you mention robin savory, would this be the same robin savory that taught latin and i think history at st charles marist brothers college in pietermaritzburg? if so i was in his class for a couple of years. he was an excellent teacher and i did very well at latin. archbishop hurley was a marist old boy and visited the school often. i heard in later years that robin savory had died at a fairly young age in a motor car accident.
DANNY MOODLEY
are you any relation to STEPHEN BEAL
Wendy Gibson
Hello Gerald your wonderful work about Durban is great. I am hoping in your notes of the year 1962 you may have come across a story of a family lost at sea for four days. On a schooner called Anuanua. The Gibson family
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Wendy
Thanks for the kind words. I relooked at the 1962 Scrapbook but unfortunately Mr Black did not paste anything about the Anuanua. 1962 was the year the Space Race hotted up and he pasted a lot about what was going on there.
Joan Mills
I got on to the http://www.eggsa.co.za website to look up Stellawood Cemetary & got absolutely nowhere ! !
I left South Africa 20 years ago & my daughter was buried in Stellawood
( 3rd May, 1972 – my parents 31st anniversary )
I know at the time of her death we paid for the grave for if it wasn’t 25 years then it was 50 years & unfortunately my ex husband passed away 10 years ago so I can’t ask him anything.
I was told on numerous occasions that it was too dangerous to go to Stellawood hence I’ve never been there on any of my return trips/visits to South Africa but would love to find out what the situation is regarding her grave.
I’m sure that I still have the Dove’s card with the details in it of exactly where she is buried if this information is needed I can search for it.
Any help appreciated
Thanks
Joan Mills
Jo Wallstrom-Walda
Oh how this year brings back memories. I went to Convent High and was in my matric year in 1962. It was sad to move to Glenmore. Does anyone remember the cafe called “Wedding Bells” on the corner of Smith Street & ? I forget. They used to have a lady there that read tea leaves. I remember walking from the bus stop in Smith Str to St Andrew’s street, when I heard this almighty scream behind me and a huge thump. Someone had fallen (or Jumped) out of a flat window and was killed on impact. I remember being hustled away pretty sharply. We girls from the convent often used to go to Marist Brother’s to watch cricket on a Saturday. The captain of the cricket team was my boyfriend at the time. Arch-Bishop Hurley was always there to watch the cricket. He would always greet us with a big smile. The entertainment at the time was going to the Umbilo Drive, and then later to the Bluff Drive In. A group of us often used to go to Brighton Beach, Anstey’s Beach and Fynnland’s Beach near Salisbury Island. They had a dance floor there which bounced as you danced. I can’t remember the name – maybe “wagon Wheels”?
Father Noel Coughlan was our parish priest on the Bluff and he used to get into an absolutele frenzy when the rehearsals were on. Funny enough he married my husband and I in Verulam in 1967. He was a lovely person. I wonder what happened to him? Later in 1962 I met my husband and we would often go to the Cumberland Hotel for dinner and dance. Somehow or other we always landed up at the Cuban Hat and had Pie Chips and curried gravy. We always had to run like mad to catch the last bus to the Bluff. My husband would then walk from our house to Montclair. going via Edwin Swales, Clairwood and Blamey Road to where he lived. To think that its 50 years ago. My how time flies. Regards Jo Wallstrom-Walda. I love this site. I often read it when I feel nostalgic.
Rodney Leak
Jo Wallstrom-Walda 2 April 2012 comment on Wedding Bells. It was on the corner of Smith and Russell Streets. It was owned by the Wait family of the Astra Hotel that was at the bottom of Russell Street.
I went to St Josephs Primary, then Parkview and finally Glenwood High leaving in 1966.
Keep up the narrative.
Mark Lowe
Hello Rodney
I know that Alan and Doreen Hawtin, great friends of my late grandparents (Robert and Betty Virtue) and then also my late parents, owned “Wedding Bells”possibly in the 60s and 70s before retiring. Alan and Doreen at that time lived in Bishop’s Court in Russell Street (possibly above “Wedding Bells”? Alan died in 1982 and Doreen in 1988.
DANNY MOODLEY
HELLO ARE YOU THE MARK LOWE THAT WAS WITH ME IN THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY
IN 1990
kitty hooey nee douwes
I wonder if you remember Jan Douwes who was at St Joseph’s, then Marist Brothers, then Glenwood. He was born 1950. He was my brother. Kitty Hooey nee Douwes.
Vernon Varty
Hi Jo … The Wagon Wheels was up Florida Road, where the John Drake Trio played for many years. I played Friday and Saturday nights at The Barbeque, which was near Fynnlands railway station, at the start of the causeway to Salisbury Island. They had a sprung dance floor, and I wonder if that was the place you mean. Funny thing, I had a girlfriend Jennifer who lived near Lighthouse Road, and I had no car (and no busfare) so I used to hitchhike home … also to Montclair. Small world.
Desmond Kelly
Hello Vernon,
I read a previous mail where you wrote about your military service in the artillary where I was too. Des Kelly is my name and we last met upstairs on a bus to or from Montclair. I only did the first camp and then I hitch hiked to London starting in August 1960 and arriving January 1961.
I stuck it out until the second winter and joined the Merchant Navy as an Electrical Officer with Shaw Saville on an around the world trip on a cargo vessal. I changed companies and did an Amazon trip to Manaus.
I n 1963 I found my Swiss Lady and established myself in computers working as a designer/developer for a few companies
hopping back and forth between Switzerland and Africa.
I am 80 years old and my wife is almost there too.
June Patterson
I was JUNE DEXTER of Marathon Rd…Well I have just found this site and although I am no longer living back home, on the Bluff..your recall brings back my early days of hating to get off that bus on Smith St..and drag my body to St.Andrews St…😳😎
I alos read what happened to the Indians that lived and grew their priduce along Edwin Swales Drive..
I esp. hated the smell late at night when they had planted rows upon row of cabbages 😳😜😂 very interesting stories from all…takes me back..to when we lived on the Bluff…till1962
Such recall of memories…thank you 💃🏻👏🏻
Archbishop Dennis Hurley did my First Holy Communnion..and Confirmation Mass…
Allan Jackson
Hi June, you’re more than welcome. Have you also seen our page on Facebook? It’s at https://www.facebook.com/groups/FactsAboutDurban/
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Jo
It’s great looking back at years gone by, not so? I went to Marist Brothers leaving in 1961 so will probably remember who your boyfriend was. Talking Convent girls in 1961/2 I was going out with a Convent girl but the 9 months Army stint put paid to that. In 1968 I met another Convent girl through a Marist friend of mine and we married in 1970. Barrie Black and I have been together 42 years now. Barrie’s close friend is Hazelmay Duncan (nee Watkin) also Convent, both matriculating 1964. Hazelmay’s husband is Alan Duncan also from Montclair. What was your maiden name if I can ask? Wedding Bells was near Russell Street. There was (and still is ) a big block of flats on the corner called Russell Mansions.
Jo Wallstrom-Walda
My maiden name was Walda. We came to South Africa in dec 1951 from the Netherlands. We were on the ship called the “Zuider Kruis” which was a converted warship. From Cape Town it went to America, Australia. New Zealand. Then back to Rotterdam to pick up more immigrants. It stopped in Cape Town where we disembarked on 4 dec 1951. From there we boarded a train which took 3 days to get to Durban. The girls I remember from my Matric year was Edwina Akels, (they had a big hardware shope in ?, Laura Mcloughlin whose brother was Gordon McLoughlin, captain of the cricket team of Marist Bros in 196/1962? , Deidre Pratt who lived at the Gables on the Esplanade. She was very artistic and made lots of things in paper mache etc. I wonder what happened to them. Barbara Barbeiri was in one lower standard than me and used to dance quite often when we had concerts. Too many things to remember. Regards Jo
Bryan
And right next to wedding bells was Willingdon mansions, and diagonally across the street another landmark tea room, the Mexican Hat, owned by the parent’s of surfer George Thompson, a little way down Russell st was the..Tudor Rose..Hotel, excellent dining.
Kitty Hooey nee Douwes
I remember the name Hazelmay Watkin. Did she go to St Joseph’s Convent in Smith Street in the 1960’s ? I was there but went on to DGHS where I wrote Matric in 1964. Kitty.
Darryl marx
Hi Kitty
Remember you and Ant many years ago
Last I heard you were in the UK
We emigrated to Canada in 1999
Love to hear from you
Darryl.
Stan Wade
Hi Kitty,
If its the same Hazelmay Watkin that I knew, she stayed in Glen Road in Montclair. She attended the church guild at Montclair Methodist Church where she met and married Alan Duncan fro Norwich Crescent Woodlands. They are both retired and have lived in Cape Town for many years. I married Brenda Rawlinson who was one of Hazelmay’s very good friends
Gerald
Hi Stan
Yes that is Hazelmay and Alan. Still living in Cape Town.
Peppy Burns Anckorn
Hi I remember Hazelmay. She lived next door to the Pedlar family. What a small world.
Maharaja of Ottawa
Did Additington beat Durban City?
charles morton
Gerald Buttigieg, I believe Barrie was at Brighton Beach Primary (BBGS) in the late 50s. If the same girl we were contemporaries. I went on to Grosvenor Boys High. I lived with my family in Hillhead Rd, Brighton Beach until the late 1970s.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Charles,
Correct on all counts but she cannot remember you. Any class photos?
Graham Campbell
Hi Gerald,
I remember you well. I also attended Marist, St Henrys until 1963. Also remember Barrie, in her convent uniform on the bus from Brighton Beach when I sometimes stayed at a friend, Eric Barr. ( He also joined the the Post office as I telecoms technician) As far as Hazel-May is concerned, I had a crush on her and seem to recall dating her. Futher down the line, I remember you from Westville.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Graham,
Yes I do recall you from St Henry’s and Westville. Eric Barr now lives in New Zealand and quite right he did join The Post Office Telecomms. Still in contact with Hazelmay and her husband Alan Duncan. They live in Cape Town. Do you have any class photos from St Henry’s?
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi again,
Being Dutch we had some immigrant families with sons at Marist, von Kruiselberge, van Hest, Smits are the ones I recall. The head girl was Edwina Akal who now heads Embury College in Windermere Road. She is Dr. Edwina Grossi now. The hardware shop was in Stamford Hill Road near Sutton Park. I knew Gordon McLoughlin well and his sister. Gordon and I played league hockey. Gordon sadly no longer with us, a sad story. Laura used to come with her brother to the socials we had at St Henry’s in the 1960s. She was very outgoing and popular with the boys. Good dancer if I remember. That was Margeret Barbieri the ballerina who eventually became lead dancer with Sadlers Wells in London. She still lives in the UK. Her brothers were at Marist. Deidre Pratt you got me on that one.
Peter
The Akal family are well known and highly respected in Durban business and social circles. One of the Akals was headmaster at St Henry’s Marist in the past 10 – 15 years or so, as my youngest son attended there. I know several of the brothers or cousins, I am not 100% sure and have been to their store in Stamford Hill Road several times. They are now part of the listed Midas group.
In my dealings with the Akal family they have proven to be solid, honest and respectable gentleman and businessmen.
Bryan
I knew Derek Akal from weightlifting, he was from Bellhaven and I from YMCA, I think he has gone to Australia a number of the Akal family have, he was an excellent lifter and represented Natal.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Bryan
I know Derrick ( not Derek) Akal quite well and recall his weightlifting days at Bellhaven. He took his weightlifting seriously and I used to accompany him to competitions to give him support. He used to have an issue as to whether he had done enough preparation for his competitions. I recall him getting his Natal colours. He eventually retired from Akals (later Midas Akals) not so long ago but hear he is now associated with Marshalls in Durban, As far as I know he still lives in Durban with his wife Barbara.
ivan beal
mon cher gerald
you will find some akals in the class photos that i sent to you
there is one of them sitting behind neville kerdachi in one of the photos, i can’t remember his christian name but there were quite a few akals and there were at least two families of kerdachis that i can recall
Isabel Ronaldson
Margaret Barbieri now lives in Sarasota Florida USA. and is co-director of the Ballet there, with her husband
and as an old girl of convent high (1951) now living in the USA, still remember her ballet evenings at our concerts together with Kerry Roberts who did the Spanish dancing, it’s nice to read these comments and also a walk down (long way)memory lane.
ivan beal
another memory, you mention margaret barbieri, i was at school with her brother edward, he and i were in the same class, i am sure that gerald would have known him. he has a brother quite a bit older than him, i think about six years older. i am still in contact with edward, he is living in los angeles, or was a couple of years back. he came over to london some years back and we had a re-union dinner, you can imagine the nostalgia, he had his wife with him and my wife renee was also with us. i think his brothers name is mannie. i know that margaret was big in ballet at sadlers wells in london but i was not aware that she had moved to the states. i have a class photo of edward and i at school. gerald was, i think either a class above or below us. i was born in 1940. seems so long ago now!!
Jo Wallstrom-Walda
Well Gerald, its good to know that some of us did well. I remember Edwina vividly, they originally came from Lebanon and she had beautiful auburn hair. Her sister Cheryl was also a few classes below us. When we came in the Zuider Kruis in 1951 quite a few fellow Dutch people came too. The only one’s I remember going to Marist Bros were the Schuurman boys. Harry & Theo, the 3 younger one’s I don’t remember that well. Theo was about my age. My Parents became good friends with a lot of Dutch and Belgian people. My father was contracted by Philip Frame who had a textile factory in Jacobs. My father’s job was to install all the looms and set the patterns in them for the blankets that they started out with. He was a loom tuner by trade and did pretty well. Afterwards it became quite a large business. My family went back to the Netherlands in Jan 1963 and I came back alone in October 1965. So I missed quite a few years there. But I’m very glad I came back. Have never regretted it. South Africa is the most beautiful country. Ps please let me know what happened to Gordon. They were such a lovely family I would hate to think that something awful happened to Gordon. If you prefer to e-mail me please look on facebook under Josephine Wallstrom. Regards Jo
Norm King
This is the first time I have accessed your site.. wonderful. I am an old Durban boy (born 1950) left SA in 1973 to work in London and never returned to live. Ex Glenwood high…..It was great to read and remember…Thanks for the effort
Peter
Hi Norm,
I just discovered this site this week ! and I agree that
it’s really a great idea. I was born in 1946 btw.
My younger son attended Glenwood High and I attended
Sastri College.
Lynn Raw
Norm, did you live in Bayswater Road in Hillary at one time?
Lorna Currie Thomopoulos
Gerald’s list priceless on so many levels.
I was at the party when Terry was killed and many years later taught his nephew at Maris Stella ( boys were allowed the first two years of school if their mothers or sisters were or had been pupils)
My husband, George Thompson Thomopoulos ( yes, that Thompson) owned The Mexican Hat on the other corner of Russell and Smith St between 1969 and 1974 and we would send a waiter over to Wedding Bells to buy chips when we ran out.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Lorna
Thanks for the compliment. Although we only remember our generation as such, at least its there to remember. Your husband would not know the surname of Theo who owned Theo’s Cafe would he? See my post Durban round and about 1955. Theo would have been older than him but being Greek, it is a rather close knit community.
caroline nathan rozentvaig
Hi Lorna,
I remember when you told us at school that you were at the party when Terry was killed.This year is the 50th anniversary of Durban Girls High School matrics.I am living in Joburg .Where are you living now.What happened to Devora Nelson, Pamela Hitchcock,Wendy Emery etc.Linda Cohen who also lives in Joburg asked me what we are going to do for the class of “64 celebration.
Danny Moodley
OMG. THE. MEXICAN HAT…. THERE WAS. A. PIANO AT THE. CORNER. AND. WEEKEND.. THERE WAS. MUSIC.
Lorna Currie Thomopoulos
Theo Merkouri…now living in Greece. His brother owned Basil’s Cafe on cnr of Point Road and Smith Street ( he also returned to Greece and died last year).
I have a connection with Izak van Heerden. He was my mother’s cousin and she often popped up to his Berea flat to drive him somewhere as he never learnt to drive!
He was involved in Argentinian rugby too and is a revered figure in their rugby history.
Also have a memory of seeing a boyfriend off to the army at Durban station that day. It felt like a war with all the hundreds of uniforms and tearful females.
Allan Hannah
Hi Lorna
You are probably aware that Izak van Heerden spent some time at DHS as a master and rugby coach. I sent Allan Jackson a picture of Izak and DHS rugby players that were coached by him and I am hoping that he will publish the picture for your info!
Regards
AllanH
AllanJ replied: Here’s the picture at last.
AllanH wrote: I am third from the right, bottom row, as you look at the photo. No doubt readers will recognise some the faces and I hope that that bring back fond memories!!
Owen Van Renen
OMG. Is that Animal Wallace i see.? Chills. He terrorized everyone n my first year at DHS 1961.
kitty hooey nee douwes
Hi Owen. I was at school with your twin sister Joyce – DGHS. Where is Joyce now? I married Ant Hooey & we now live in Ascot, Berkshire, UK. Kitty Hooey – Douwes.
Joyce van Renen (angelos) now Fyfe
Hi kitty, I am now in irene centurion for the last nearly 50 years and love it. Married Gary angelos, lived in ermelo for 4 years. I have 4 beautiful children and 9 grandchildren. I do remember the days at Payne bros on a Saturday morning..loved DGH but not technical college in town.
I got divorced years ago and am now married to Derek Fyfe who went to Glenwood. He is 7 years older so you may not know of him.
Great to hear you are wellover in the UK.
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
I remember you at the South Beach.
I used to go to Basils Cafe as my friend Yvonne Bedford lived in ArcRoyal
Flats wtth Graham.Whampach.
I had a surfboard but not any good.,
I sm in England, but not a decent area in South London, so not so happy.
Crime as well.
Rodney C.
The mention of Mr Goldman as mayor reminded me that he was the first Jew to be Mayor of Durban, however, he kept the Rev Bill Deeble as his mayoral chaplain. Bill Deeble had been chaplain to Mr Goldman’s predececessor as mayor , Mr Trevor Warman. Rev Deeble was Rector of St Margaret-on-the-Hill (Anglican) Church and at one time (maybe still) had the distinction of being the longest serving Mayoral Chaplain in Durban. Mr Warman was elected to the City Council by a group who were attempting to oust the supposedly ineffectual councillors, many of them of long standing. One other thing that I remember about Mr Warman was that he managed to obtain membership of the DHS Old Boys’ Club without having ever attended DHS. At that time , membership of the club was strictly restricted to ex-DHS pupils.
danny moodley
are you talking of Trevor Warman, he started Warman House. From what I know he was a fantastic Mayor.
who did not pull his punches
Rodney C.
‘ A major blaze occurs at the oil refinery at Reunion. ‘
This brings to mind another recollection of that era. I don’t suppose that they are still run, but in those years I remember that in school holidays different Durban industries gave free tours. My mother often took me and my brothers on these outings and one of them was to the then Mobil refinery at Reunion. Others that I recall were to Lever Brothers at Maydon Wharf, Dunlop (Gale Street?), and the whaling station at the Bluff. We used to travel in one of the luxury municipality coaches – I think that they were a powder blue in colour unlike the everyday municipal uses.
Lyn
Does anyone have any memory of a Barbara and her friend Peter who used to frequent the Beach Hotel every evening? They both lived on the Berea. This goes back to the years 1969-1970 and beyond. I’m trying to reconnect with them or even get some up to date news about them.
Gerald Buttigieg
Do you have a surname? This would help. We are going back 40 years plus so the more info you can offer the better.
Lyn
Is anyone aware of other sites where I could possibly enquire if anyone knows how to reconnect with old friends? I’m only interested in genuine sites where old friends can reconnect. The only sites I’ve been able to find so far, other than this lovely site, are those dealing with dating and such.
Thank you.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Lyn
There is a site http://www.sareunited.com which I see still operates. I used it a few years ago but not recently as, if I recall there was some charge for getting information. Apart from that, I do not know any other local service. This FAD site is not really the forum for what you are asking as it is mainly directed at information about Durban and not people tracing. However I am sure that names mentioned in scripts and photos that have been posted have reconnected people such as the current thread Lee Man Ltd., see the diary, where there is obviously a reconnection of old Durbanites.
Esther
Lynn, Try facebook – there is a page called waar in die wereld which apparently is brilliant at finding people you have lost contact with, or one of the Durban pages…there are several.
royal connor
having been borne in Warwick Avenue 67 years ago, I am hugely interested in being updated in relation to what is happening there and in the surrounding areas…
peter
Hi Royal,
That makes us ex neighbours as I was born in Old Dutch Road 67 years ago !
danny Moodley
Hi in Warwick avenue , many distinguished people lived there.The Barnabas Family—there was a Cinema at the end of the street. The St.Aidens Hospital was nearby was the Durban Fire Dept. and the M.L.Sultan Techical College..then there was Kit Kat Café, and a very famous Kajee Moosa Building..and many more
Danny Moodley
IN WARICK AVENUE THERE WAS MY FAMILY WHO LIVED THERE.THEY WERE THE BARNABAS FAMILY
SAM BARNABAS STARTED THE FIRST DANCING SCHOOL. MY UNCLE MISTER MARI LIVED ABOVE KAJEE MOOSA BUILDING.
devora nelson reed
Please note that there is a reunion for DGHS class of 64, and the person to contact in connection with this is Meryl Gluning Trevethan at meryltre@telkomsa.net
Mike Sjolander
Hi Devorah
I have just been going through this site and it reminded me that we had our Glenwood O B dinner with a small group from the class of ’64.
I retired from educaton a few years ago and live in Ballito.
Mike Sjolander
Mary Drake
Does anyone remember the Palmerston Hotel in the middle 50’s with the John Drake Trio playing there. Great band with great music. The late John Joustra on bass with Johnny Marshall on Drums and Johnny Williams on Vibes. Wonderful days and great music to dance to. Where did all those wonderful times go to. Cuckoo Lane with the musicians getting together after their regular jobs and just hanging out and playing great jazz. The old Cosmo club in what was then known as Cartwright flats. I would love to hear from the ” oldies” that are still around who danced to John’s music also to Phil Harbor and Basil Metaxis, Maureen Donne – a wonderful vocalist and going back even further Billy Farrell’s big band with Freddie Kidwell. There was also Cherie Wayner the organist and Boris Cohen who played at the Bencorum that was burned down. I know I am almost 80 years of age but there must be some of us left from those wonderful days in Durban where music was music. My e-mail address is marydrakesa@yahoo.com and I would love to hear from you.
Graham Campbell
Yes Mary, I remember the Palmerston Hotel as well as The John Drake Trio or Combo. We danced to their music often at the Riviera Hotel and the Los Angeles.
Gerald, thanks for this site, it is great to share memories.
I came across it today trying to find info that a friend and I were discussing, about Smugglers Inn and Durban hotels in general
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Mary,
Welcome to FAD. My first question is were you a teacher at Avon Primary School in Westville mid 1980s? I have a recollection you were as you taught my son there in 1983. But to your post. Yes I would say that most of those names you mentioned would only be recalled by “oldies” all in their 70s and 80s now! I recall John playing at the Los Angeles Hotel for the people who gathered in the open treed courtyard in the evenings. I was then playing Hockey for the Gongs Hockey Club and that was our get together venue after practice as the club had no clubhouse. That was 1967-1970. Sadly bands as you describe them hardly exist these days and the ones you mentioned were all well known. I remember Cherie was it not spelt Wainer? There was also Eldon Hawkes at the time. Possibly one forgets that in those days, bands were hired to play at wedding receptions. These cannot be related to today’s over the top events as normally receptions then were limited to a few hours in the afternoon with the bride and groom leaving from there directly to their honeymoon destination. If an evening wedding it was virtually the same.
John if I recall at one time taught music at the Art Centre in Albany Grove. If you ever passed that building in the afternoons after school, you had a cacophony of sounds as students rehearsed. Simon Kerdachi taught drums there. Yes one wonders where all these musicians disappeared to. As it is, the only place you see pianos these days is in the communal lounge of old age homes!
Vernon Varty
Hi Gerald. I’m happy to say that there are still at least some bands who play at wedding receptions. Mine is one of them. I played PLENTY of weddings in Durban from the early 60’s up till 1988, then moved to Cape Town in my early 50’s, looked for like-minded musicians, and we are still a busy band now, even at my advanced age (78). And yes, we still do weddings, not as many as before, but there still seems to be no shortage of young people who like our music. One of the great loves in my life is your correspondent Mary Drake, with whom I fell in love when I was 10 years old, and Mary certainly knows those great days.
Mary Drake
Hi Gerald So Sorry its taken me so long to add to my last post. Yes John did teach music at the Art Centre in Albany Grove. John used to sing the following words to the number “Making Whoopie” In John Drake”s studio there’s lots of noise, a girl is screaming – boys will be boys, So don’t forget folks, that’s what you get folks,
Whilst making whoopie.
Unfortunately I don’t remember the rest of the words Maybe someone else remembers them
Vernon Varty – you are very special and I treasure the school photo with both of us in it together with other family members
Pixie Furby Mather
Just loved reading all the above, made me feel so ‘Homesick’ for the happiest days of my life! Lived in Hillary, Stella Road, went to Convent High, my brothers to St Henry’s, my Dad took part in the Passion Play from the first one, as St Andrew and the wicked thief!!! Such a joy to see all the familiar names, most mentioned knew them or family members! Thanks you for making my day!!!!!
Annie
Oh my word!! I got married in 1972 in Durban- Am now on the North Coast- I was born 63 years ago, in the Cape. schooled in Durban..Gosh what memories this site brings back,, and how time has flown..Where does it go???
Thank you so much for this site. a real tearjerker in my case.
peter
Hi Gerald,
Albany Art Centre in Albany Grove brings back memories. I used to go there for piano lessons with the late Mr Patrick Chambers. If I recall correctly, he spoke about his daughter Cecilia ( named after the patron Saint of music ), who was a student at the
Natal University. She was also a violinist under his tutelage. If I remember correctly
he told me that she had an accident at a young age and lost her life as a result. There was also another music teacher, Mr John Shirley, ( Shirleen ? ) at the art centre. There were also some shops in Albany Grove like Pellegrini’s, a Portuguese restaurant called O Pescador ?
Amina Carini
Hi
I’ve just come across this website. I am so pleased to see that someone else remembers Mr. Chambers. I started piano lessons with him when I was 4 years old in 1963, for about 6 months. Used to hop on the tram. I then went back when I was 8 years old. All these lessons were held in his studio at Art Centre, Albany Grove, next to Gerald Kerdachi. I remember that he had a photo of Sir Percy Scholes (Oxford Companion to Music) on his wall. Sir Percy Scholes had taught him harmony, if I
am not mistaken. He also had pictures of his late wife (who was Mauritian) and himself as a young man, as well as a piece of art that his daughter Cecilia had done. It was a bridge with a weeping willow (crayon with black polish over and the scene “scratched/etched ” out. I remember copying this idea. He was a wonderful, dedicated teacher, who did so much to help those who couldn’t afford music lessons, eg. the cleaners at Art Centre who wanted to learn to play the piano. I think we paid R6 a month for 2 children to have piano and theory lessons. I stayed with him until my grade 11 (standard 9) year, even though I had passed my grade 8 piano 2 years earlier. I then went on to learn voice with Madame Davia (also Art Centre), and did a B. Mus. at U.C.T. Thank you Mr. Chambers. By the way, he taught my mom and her siblings at a coloured school in “School Lane” which runs between West Street and Pine Street.
Lynda holmes
I also learnt music theory, violin and piano with Patrick Chambers in the 1970s and still have a photograph he gave me of himself. Used to live in the same block of flats as me in Kings Mansions, Acutt Street. Used to hear him come home late at night after having a meal in a small restaurant in Albany Gtove. He certainly new how to teach theory. A very lonely man who died at Nazarareth House. Will always be remembered.
amina carini
Hi Lynda — I also have a photo of Mr. Chambers. I teach music and I have it up in my classroom at school. Yes he was lonely. We often had him over for a meal. I do wish that I had told him just how much I appreciated all that he had done for me.
Chalkie Govender
Born & bred in Umgeni Rd. Next to the old sweet factory which later became Windsor Park clothing factory.
Mimi
Good day Guys,
This website is super cool. I need some help finding information on 17 cato street, Durban. this is just off smith street. It is a very old building. Any old articles or news or incidents that took place in this building. It is now a business premisis. I want know what was here previously, owners, incidents, deaths…anything that you may have come across or know of.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Mimi,
Just to enlighten other readers Cato Street is not too well known as to its location. So let’s put that right and say that Cato Street runs between Smith St. and Winder St. It virtually is an extension of Prince Alfred St and has Stanger St running parallel to it. It butts on to Winder St. close to where the Victoria Embankment (Esplanade) becomes Winder St. That is in the vicinity of the Customs and Excise Building as one enters the harbour from the Esplanade.
Looking at the 1938 directory 17 Cato Street was the Hotel Bradford with W.J. Lowers as owner . 30 years later 1968, the hotel is still there but now called the Casa Mia Hotel. On one side at No 15 was the Dept. of Indian Affairs on the other side No 19-21 was Softex Mattress (PTY) Ltd.
Strange request Mimi but that is all I got. Deaths??
mel
Hello Gerald,
With regard to your reply of July 8th to Mary Drake, I would have said that it was your namesake Gerald Kerdachi (a very fine drummer) who taught drums at the Art Centre.
Sadly his brother Simon, a pianist and piano teacher passed away last night, 1st September 2014, after a long battle with diabetes, and after a leg amputation.
All three Kerdachi brothers (with Desmond on trumpet) were very well-known Durban musicians.
John M
Gracious me ….. as I recall my mother was bookkeeper for Ted Kerdachi in the 50s – must be father of the 3 brothers!? Or maybe uncle as next post says there were several families.
ivan beal
hello mel, here i am again going through the nostalgia, every so often i read through these pages again, this time the memory that comes back is neville kerdachi, he was at school with me, after leaving school he bacame a very successful businessman involved in real estate in durban and probably elsewhere, there was alsoa gerard de rauville another marist boy who was very much involved in the property market in durban and laster, london england where i met up with gerard not many years ago. however, i was unaware that there were three kerdachi brothers performing as musicians, surely they must have been related?
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Mel,
I knew Gerald Kerdachi from school days at St Henry’s. He was a couple of years older than me and I knew he played drums but did not know he taught them. I am sure I met him post school days and he had an electrical business. Sad to hear of Simon who I knew by sight only. There were a couple of Kerdachi families in Durban at that time. Thanks for the info.
Vernon Varty
Desmond Kerdachi (trumpet) and Simon (piano) both had leg amputations, The 3rd brother Gerald (drums) lives at Abu Dhabi with wife Zelda … he runs his own engineering business there. I vividly remember rehearsing in Simon’s studio after 1:00am with Dianne Chandler for her City Hall concert the next evening.
Brian Hurt
Simon taught my son music,his studio was in Poyton House,there was a long serving city councilor named Kerdachi.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Brian
Quite correct. The Councillor was Ted Kerdachi.
Brian Hurt
Although not Durban,Empangeni had a councilor Kerdachi
Shirley Wagner Parel
Do any of you girls remember the Fashion Club held at Payne Brothers on a Saturday morning. I went a few times with my friend, the Springbok swimmer, Joyce van Reenen. I also remember Dickie Lauder and the Blue Jeans performing there.
Dave Strydom
Hi Shirley,
It was Dickie “Loader” and the Blue jeans, they played at “sessions” in Durban and up and down the Coasts.
kitty hooey nee douwes
I remember yu Shirley and Joyce van Reenen – great swimmer. I also went to the fashion Club in Payne Bros. Models: Penny Coelen. Kitty Hooey – Douwes.
Joan Mills
Dickie Loader came from the Sea View area & they also played on a regular basis at the Esplanade Hotel verandah – Saturday afternoon SESSIONS 9 as it was known as in the mid – late 60’s )
There was so much happening in Durban in the 60’s but started fading in the 70’s.
I lived & loved to dance but unfortunately had a bad incident in Chelmsford Rd in Aug 1995 & eventually left South Africa ( for Cobh – pronounced COVE island in the Cork Harbour ) – in Ireland.
Often reminisce when talking to other friends especially when I go to S A visiting.
Can remember folks moving from Westville back to Durban, Tudor House Hotel in West Street few doors down from McNamee’s then moving out to Umbilo where the bus fare was 5c single but can go back further to mid late 50’s & bus fare from Stella Park School to Penzance Tea Room was a tickey ! !
My son was at school with Theo ( Theo’s Cafe Umbilo Rd ) son at Glenwood.
I only discovered this to-night so have been totally enthralled reading all
Thank You for the info & to those sending in their own personal snippits
Joan Mills nee Brown
Kitty Hooey Douwes
I remember the Fashion Club at Payne Bros and went often. Shirley I remember u and Joyce very well from DGHS I matriculates in 1964 Am now living in Ascot UK and see Lorna Currie regularly. Regards. Kitty Hooey nee Douwes
Ella
Hi all 🙂
Would any one have any recollection of a certain indian magician ,called Yusultini, would have been round about late 1950’s early 1960’s -In the Durban area. . Any information, pictures,accounts or Newspaper clippings would be much appreciated .
Thanks.
Danny Moodley
Hi Joan, yes I remember Dicky Loader and the Blue Jeans,he played in varius Hotels in and around Durban.
He was a very Popular person in Durban.The Tudor House Hotel later moved to Durban North. Those were the good old days.
Glenda Koekemoer(nee Sutherland)
Hi Gerald,
On 10 June 1972 my brother Alan Sutherland was tragically killed at Summerveld training centre. He was in his final month of being an apprentice jockey. We still miss him today.
Derek Austin
Some sad news about the son of the famous Ken Denysschen who played for Durban City. Go to this link http://www.biznews.com/thought-leaders/2013/08/09/the-story-of-a-mayor-who-conned-an-rdp-house-owner-and-pocketed-the-rent/
Liz
Hi there,
I am looking for Greek flag ships that was docking in Durban harbour in the year 1968, the month of October and November period. The ships docked at the harbour for about a month. My friend has never met his father and that is the last information he has. If anyone can assist with the above information and details, it would be appreciated.
Regards,
Liz
Alec Turner
Can anyone recall the name of the well known and extremely popular restaurant in Albany Grove. It was early 70’s.
I certainly remember the tragic events of the schoolboy Flusk. I was in the same class at DHS with some of the boys that were involved , I lived in Gordon Road. Our neighbour behind us was Basil Metaxis we often listened to him playing his sax.
Who remembers walking down West St.after work and going to the “Cookie Look” at the Claridges Hotel?
Shirley Wagner Parel
Hi Alan. Wasn’t the restaurant called “74”. If so it was where I got engaged in 1965. Hope this rings a bell.
Shirley Wagner Parel
Thanks for the correction “67”. I knew it was a number. It must have been a good place as I was only 17 when I got engaged there and I have been married 49 years. Great memories.
Karen Laxton
HI Shirley
It was the “67” and I signed my name on the wall … Along with many other people!! DId you do,that … It was the best restaurant in Durban and I had my 21st dinner there !! I am 70 now … Wonderful memories of all the Musicians .. Does anyone remember Peter Platt? ALso played piano with Johnny Marshall .. John Drake, the Kerdachi brothers, Basil Metaxis … Such fabulous memories!! THanks ! Karen née Wilson.
Peter Heath
Wow Karen! I had lunch at the 67 whenever I could. The Kerdachi Brothers – did they live in Vause Road? Did they have a sister Sandra? And was their dad a councillor? If so, I remember them well from my school days. I lived in Silverton Rd – 103, I think. Basil Metaxis was a musician if my memories serv me – and didn’t he do a bit of radio work? I used to produce radio commercials at Henry Diffenthal’s studio furthur up Albany Grove opposite the Playhouse Bioscope. I worked in Albany House for Lintas. What fantastic memories. I also lovd th Royal Hotl cheese board – but that’s another story. You made my day Karen. Thanks! Peter Heath
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
I do! My Mother Daphne Watson lived in Clarige Court, continuous parking problems! With her yellow Datsun, later stolen.
I went to Cookie Look very often. I enjoyed the live music. Happy times.
i knew the band members.
Did the band from Ireland play, Was Gerry the singer., Gerry died recently near Durban North, he owned a few bars, The Shades of Green*
Danny Moodley
I started work at the killerney Hotel in1962. the first Dbn to Jhburg oil pipeline
started in 1964,The Contract was given to the Americans.I was offered a Job.The contract
was completed in 1966.The name of the contractors were McAlpine Sommerville.
The Artisans came from Canada,USA and Britain.Most of our South Africans were
assistances.This contract was given by the South African Railways And Harbours.
JohanM
Danny I remember the Killarney Hotel of the early 80’s. They used to provide strip shows with cheap pub lunches at the time lol.
Frank Beeton
I think it was the “67”. I took my wife to be there on our first serious date. We’re still married after nearly 45 years so it must have been good!
DANNY MOODLEY
THANKS IT WAS A NICE HOTEL—-ANDE IT WAS THE LARGEST HOTEL IN AFRICA —OWNED BY MR.ROY PALMER–
YOU WILL NOTE THAT PALMER STREET WAS NAMED AFTER HIM.
REGARDS
Gerald Buttigieg
Quite right Frank it was the “67” Restaurant located at the bottom end of Albany Grove, Victoria Embankment end.
Shirley. “74” is the name of a popular fish that is caught in KZN waters although one hardly hears that name today. Maybe it was on the menu in 1965??
Rodney Leak
I remember the 67 in Albany Grove very well. In the ’60s they were not nearly as many restaurants as there are today and it waqs usually a treat to go to one, such as the 67 anyway. For a family occasion my Gran was down from Joburg so to 67 we went. Presented with the a la Carte menu she proceeded to order a five course meal thinking it was table d’hote style of eating. We never did tell her that it nearly broke the bank! Another place i recall was Lindy’s in Smith Street, between Field and Gardiner?
JohanM
In the early 80’s I remember places like Diamond Circle in the old Malibu Hotel, Club Med disco, the famous XL roadhouse at the beachfront opposite the Malibu Hotel which was open 24/7. London Town Pub with its red bus inside lol. Father’s Moustache where you could watch good quality cabarets. Maharani and Elangeni Hotels, the Blue Waters next to the old Natal Command Army Base. Don’t know which of these still exists as I moved back to Cape Town in 1989 after I got married.
John M
“67” was great!!! Also the Napoleon in Aliwal Street.
Linda Fivelman nee Walls
Rodney Leak .. Good grief… Same class at school St Josephs. Sister Clements, mrs Walker, Mrs St.George, Sister Brandon who made us sit under the fig trees in the grounds ( ..bird poo and green figs. ) Still remember well. Mrs du Casse .
Same class Cheryl Bennett, Carol Salmon, Georgina Fraser, Pat Harding, Leona Adams ,. So many hilarious memories, .. Sister Carmel, Sister Clements. Such characters !!! And so dedicated!
Rodney Leak
Yup Linda. You are remembered. Have a class photo with you in my archive. Put it on the St Josephs fb page a few years back.
kitty hooey nee douwes
I was at St Joseph’s school & remember Sister Clement very well, along with Miss Sheila Walker who talked a great deal about her nephew Rodney?, Mrs Ducas in Housecraft. In 1961 (I think) I was prefect of the boys along with Claire Tomlinson. Kitty Hooey nee Douwes.
Brian Hurt
Sister Clements the Headmistress,Du Casse ran the kitchen,sister Brennen the tuck shop.
JohanM
Hi, what an interesting article on Montclair’s history. I arrived there from Cape Town in December 1982 as a young 18yr old railway policeman fresh from Esselen Park Police College in Johannesburg. All our youngsters lived in the ER Carney Railway Hostel up top in Benson Rd, and I was stationed at the old Louis Botha Airport at the time. Initially those days few of us had our own personal transport to travel to Durban on a Friday or Saturday night if we were off, so we opted for the MONTCLAIR HOTEL (MONTY’S) for drinks and a dance or two which was just below the hostel in old South Coast Rd. I tried to check it out on google maps but I can’t seem to find it anymore. Do anyone perhaps know what ever happened to this very popular spot since then and where to look for it if the building still exists. What fond memories for the last 33yrs, how time flies lol????
Mike
Hi Johan M. The hotel has long been demolished and a cold-storage company has been built on the land.
DANNY MOODLEY
Hi Johan
IT WAS CALLED THE CLAIRMONT HOTEL—–SITUATED AT SOUTH COAST ROAD,CLAIRWOOD. OPP THE ST.ANTHONYS CHURCH.
THE BUILDING IS STILL THERE,BUT NOT A HOTEL
Danny Moodley
YES IY WAS CALLED THE CLAIRMONT HOTEL
. IN. CLAIRWOOD
AND. MONTCLAIR WAS NOT FAR
. NEAR BLAMEY. ROAD.
INTO. WOOD ROAD.
Sandra Talbot
Hi, I am trying to find out more about Yorkshire House, which is mention under “what happened in 1972”
My grandfather was stationed in Durban during World War 2 and died in Addington Hospital in 1943, on the cemetery register his address was Yorkshire House, Durban.
I have been searching the internet, and this is the only reference I have found. Just wondered if anyone remembers it and can give me any more details.
Thank you.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Sandra,
A difficult one to answer but I remember Yorkshire House on the corner of Smith and Field Streets. It was a double / possibly triple storey building in the midst of the Durban CBD. It was demolished and replaced by a multistorey General Accident Insurance building. This is given in the reference you mention in your post. As far as I know Yorkshire House when I knew it was purely commercial offices and not a residence. I looked up Yorkshire House in the 1938 Durban Directory I have and it is listed there. In 1938 there were mainly commercial offices but listed are several names only. I would need to have your grandfather’s name to see if he is listed specifically. If he was only stationed in Durban, possibly he was being attended by Dr Fleming Johnston who had rooms in the building or perhaps solicitors who also had offices in the building. Also SEARCH this site to get access to Durban’s graveyards.
Sandra Talbot
Hi Gerald,
Thank you for your reply, I have since spoken to my mum, (grandad’s daughter), and she seems to think he was actually living in Cato Street, at least this is where she believes she wrote to him. Grandad had lost an arm during the Great War, and was in Durban working in the victualling depot for the Navy. It could be, as you suggest he was being attended to by the Doctor, or it was some other official business connection. He was buried in Stellawood Cemetery and some lovely lady on another website, has very kindly photographed the burial site for us. Thank you for you help.
Geraldine anne Kelly
Dave Box who came second in the comrades in 1971 to Dave Bagshaw passed away in Durban this week aged 86yrs. He was a lovely man was still riding his bicycle last year. May his soul R.I.P.
Aloysius
Who were Miss Durban in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970
Karen Laxton
HI Aloysius
I was “Queen of the Bay” in 1962 …. I believe it changed to Miss Durban a few years later. IF you have any pix of the competition I would be very grateful! MY name was Karen Wilson in those days ! THanks
Karen
Allan Jackson
Hi Aloysius. If you have any pix for Karen just let me know via Contact in the menu and I can arrange to get them to her.
Deryk McBain
Anybody know the contact address or phone details of : Wendy Morgan – Peter Morgan –
Patricia Morgan ex Cunningham Lane, Red Hill ? These were the girls’ single names before marriage. Peter was an electrician, Wendy married a butcher named ‘Copper”after being educated at Northlands Girls High School, circa 1980.
Vernon Varty
Hi again Gerald. Quite a few contributors above refer to musicians from those 50-60 years ago days in Durban. If any of your readers are interested, a track each by Eldon Hawkes and Steve Gale will be airing on a weekly jazz program here tomorrow evening 2 December. If anyone would like details of how/when to listen, give me a shout … my e-mail is vernon@riverboat.co.za … nostalgia rules, OK?
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Vernon,
Thanks for your comments and your memories. Still hitting it out at 78 is the way to go!
Only Varty I knew was an elderly gentleman who was the Storeman at Overport Exchange roundabout mid 1970s.
Janet Nicholson
I came out to SA in January 1972 and remember following the Comrades runners in the MG Midget that I brought out with me from the UK. My flat mate and I were the only people around when Mick Orton overtook Dave Bagshaw at Cato Ridge. My flat mate took a picture, which would probably have been published in the newspaper had we thought to offer it. I’ve now lost touch with my flat mate so have no idea if she still has the photograph.
Hubert Edwards
I arrived in Durban from Rhodesia in April 1971. I lectured at the University College for Indians on Salisbury Island. The college became the University of Durban-Westville moving to the new campus in Westville in 1972.
I got married that year at the Old Fort Chapel (St Peter in Chains) a popular wedding place.
Sheila McFarlane
Hi Gerald
Happy happy 2016. I trained at St Augustine’s 1961 and have lost contact with most of my “comrades”, so hopefully someone in my group will see this.
Thanks Gerald.
Sheila Mcfarlane (Paton)
Frank Beeton
I’ve just looked at the 1962 summary and must offer a correction. Gary Hocking was killed at Westmead practicing before the Natal Grand Prix and not afterwards. The remains of his Rob Walker Lotus 24 lay in Syd van der Vyver’s garage in Blake Road for some time afterwards as Syd cannibalised it to repair his own similar ex-Jack Brabham/John Surtees car which he rolled and damaged during the Grand Prix. Syd’s own car was badly damaged by fire during 1963 which led to his retirement from motor racing, having been SA Motor Racing Champion in 1960/61.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Frank,
Thanks for the correction. I looked at the 1962 scrapbook again and see that Mr Black had posted an article on the SA Grand Prix of that year 1962. This was next to the article reporting on the death of Gary Hocking which was rather vague in that it mentioned he was killed in a practice lap. I assumed that the two articles were linked but you have set the record straight. Mr Black never recorded the dates of his postings so time wise I have no idea what happened before what.
Gerry Bassett
That information is correct on Syd van der Vyver. It was a sad day at the Westmead Circuit concerning Gary Hocking. Mr Syd used to live next door to a school friend, and I would go there after school, and stare at the Lotus’s bodywork sitting on the roof of his car garage! I was also a big fan of Gorden Henderson and his Scorpion Alfa, which I believed at the time, to be the remains of a wrecked car in which the driver died in Lourenco Marques.
Frank Beeton
Quite right Gerry! The driver who died at LM was Jo Eckhoff. Gordon Henderson must have bought the remains of his crashed 2,2 litre Cooper Climax, because the engine went into an Alfa Romeo Giulietta sedan which was raced as the “Alfa Monaco” by Gordon’s Monaco Motors. The first Scorpion Alfa was copied from Syd vd Vyver’s Lotus 18 in which he won the 1961 SA Championship. However the car had Cooper wheels, and possibly suspension parts, which also came from the remains of Eckhoff’s car.
Vernon Varty
Hi Gerald … I just re-read all the above posts, and would like to offer a contribution or correction to your first 1962 post, top of page. I was called up for ACF training, and left Durban in January 1956, for our long camp at Potchefstroom. We also had short (3-week) camps for 4 years afterwards. I had asked for Air Force as first choice, Navy as second, so naturally the army stuck me in the Natal Field Artillery, in the mud and dust. We were called up on a ballot system which grabbed 50% of all 18-year-olds each year. Ironically, I did NOT want to go but was called up, while my brother Barry desperately DID want to go but was not called.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Vernon,
Having experienced ACF training at first hand I do not think I am wrong nor does the script need correction. Prior to 1962 when the first group of ACF trainees were called up, there was a ballot system based on I think, volunteers and also “names picked out of a hat”. Not everyone’s name was in that hat. In 1959, a law was enacted that made it compulsory for all those turning 16 in 1959, had to report to a police station or army base and register for ACF training. At that time it was not yet written in stone when the first call up was to take place but it did set the wheels in motion and I, like all the others knew that sometime in the near future, there was a more than likely chance of being called up. Once you received your call up papers which happened in 1961, you could apply for exemption on two grounds. One was medical and the other study commitments. On medical grounds you really had to have good reason to seek exemption. I had a school friend who had chronic asthma. He was not exempted but posted to the Army Admin group where he did clerical work for 9 months. On grounds that you contemplated tertiary study, you could get exemption but all it did was postpone your call up and once graduated you still had to do your army service. If I remember correctly a lot of the ballotees (pre 1962) were allocated to the various Commando groups. It was only in late 1961 that many regiments were resuscitated. Durban Regiment was one of them unlike the DLI or NMR and other well known ones who had retained their post war (WW2) regimental structures. In the ballot system, you did not undergo 9 months continuous training but rather, as you say one long camp followed by short camps the years following. Whether the name ACF (Active Citizen Force) was used for your training that I cannot say but I know that it was continuously bandied about round about the time I was called up. As I said the first ACF group left Durban in January 1962 followed by another group every three months thereafter. Basically the difference is, you were “ballotted” that is unfortunately your number came up, many did not . In my case as well as all the others, it was a fait accompli, I had to register, I was going to be called up whether I liked it or not.
PS I have written up my being called up. Do a SEARCH on FAD of Going to the Army 1962.
Vernon Varty
Thanks Gerald, and sincere apologies. I didn’t know that the system had changed in 1959, and by then I was so heartily sick of the army that the less I knew about it the better. One of the unpleasant memories that comes back to me concerns the extra parades our intake had to do. For the 4 years following our long camp we were expected to attend parades at Old Fort Road, every 6 weeks. I attended the first one, and we all sat around on the floor of the big hall doing nothing for over 2 hours, then we were dismissed. That was enough for me and I never went to another parade. The army didn’t seem to miss me because I never heard a word from them. Four years later, having missed the final parade of the series, I was unceremoniously collected from my home by 2 MP’s and handed over to the SAP as a prisoner. Reason given was that I had missed a parade (apparently they were concerned only with that final parade so I thought it prudent not to mention the 28 or 30 others that I had missed). I ended up spending the night in a cell at Durban Central police station and appeared in court the next day. The fine handed down was 5 pounds or 19 days, and not owning such a vast sum I had to ask a friend to pawn my guitar and amplifier. Live and learn I guess.
Dave Strydom
Hi Gerald,
You are correct.
All defence force training prior to 1959 consisted of a three month basic training camp. It was in 1959, the last quarter (I think), that the nine month training camps were introduced. I was called up shortly thereafter.
Dave Strydom
A wonderful site Gerald, keep it up. Durban was such a wonderful place in those days, mine beginning in the fifties. To see most of the old buildings gone in sad. Special places never to be forgotten, the Playhouse, Cockneys pride, Smugglers, Mick’s Pie Cart, Polar Bar, XL, Cosmo, Bedford, Perks pies, Cuban hat, Nest, Cogee, Kenilworth’s as so many more. I remember the pungent smells of the flower stalls at the end of and corner of Pine st and Soldier way. The bus station before it was decentralized, Roxy, Oxford and Capri.
Exchanging comics at the Princess Saturday mornings. I could go on forever. Why does it all have to change so and then end.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Dave,
Its called Progress by some, others say its Changing Times. Just be grateful you lived through “Durban at its best” days.
Dave
Hi Gerald,
I have a question I hope you can answer. As you left Durban station and started up Gardner street on the right hand side was the hotel and pub, cant remember the name, then there was a little shop just before the Model dairy, a tobacconist and newsagent. Once more the heavy pungent smell of tobaccos, cigars, newspapers and periodicals assailed the nostrils! Something in my head says something like Tennyson Burrows? Then of course there was the 3 record selections for a shilling from the juke boxes in the Model dairy. We did know how great it was but just not how great!
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Dave,
You may be a bit older than I, I am in my early 70s but I have fairly good memories of Durban in the early 50s. I do seem to recall that there was a pub on the corner of Pine and Gardiner Streets with the door of the pub on the corner. This is a vague memory for me and I also have recollections of that corner being redeveloped probably in the late 50s into the building that stands there now, called Poynton House. I cannot recall a hotel being there only a pub. I looked up my 1938 Durban Directory and indeed a pub did exist there called the Victoria. At street level the tobacconist / newspaper / periodicals was and is still there J. Tennison-Burrows where the UK magazines and “comics” like Roy of the Rovers etc. were available just after the Union Mail liners docked in Durban Harbour. The shop is much smaller now. Next door was the Model Dairy and I remember it as it must have been during the war times, having a large area at the back with many small tables and chairs with white table clothes. Teas and eats used to be served and it was a popular “resting place” whilst shopping. I cannot recall there being “juke boxes” in the Model Dairy as it was quite a conservative establishment but then I may be wrong. The Model Dairy did change at some stage as the shop reverted to a “tea room / cafe” with a street level counter only , the seating area being discarded. In the early 60s I do recall a gym was established on the first floor of Poynton House which was very popular, this being something new in Durban where you exercised “in public” as from the Post Office side of Gardiner Street you could see people going through their routines in the gym. Big glass windows gave you ample view. Just beyond the Model Dairy was the old Natal Bank Building with its brick walls and tower. This was demolished in my time and replaced with the modern bank building (FNB?) that now stands on its site. Have a look at some of the old post cards and do a SEARCH for Gardiner Street which will bring up a post I wrote up of the area as I knew it.
Graham Campbell
Hi Gerald,
Strangly,I was trying to recall a Pub on the corner of Pine, with the door on the corner, but in my mind it was on the corner of Field.
Dave Strydom
Hello Gerald,
Thanks for that, it came flooding back. I meant to say pub and I now remember it moved up commercial road just above the Oxford and was known as the new Vic. Yes it was on the corner and the crossing to the station used to go diagonally across and not from corner to corner as now. I loved the comet from Tennison-Burrows and the others too. Bought my first pipe there. I am mid seventies. We frequented the Model dairy and sat at that counter countless times, the juke boxes were the smaller ones mounted on the counter and you could select three songs for a shilling. They were there from the beginning of the rock and roll era 56 or so. I remember the dining area at the rear too. I have been in the UK now for almost two decades and have not (have been back to SA on holiday a few times) into Durban proper since 1988 so have forgotten a lot. I did drive down West from about the corner of Umbilo road to Brickhill road and was amazed at the hundreds of taxis ducking in and out without even looking with hooters blaring for customers. In the length of that drive I could count the number of whites on my two hands they were that few. Lunch time on those hot summer days we would go for a dip in the Medwood gardens pool which I believe is now no more. Nostalgia!
Brian Hurt
There was a Bar at the corner of Gardiner and Pine many years ago
Frank Beeton
During the ‘Sixties the corner of Gardiner and Pine Streets was occupied at pavement level by Natal Radio. Their display window was crammed with electric guitars, much to the delight of the musically inclined. The Model dairy used to serve the most magnificent pie, chips and gravy!
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Frank,
Quite right I remember that shop with the musical instruments. They also used to have the odd full drum kit on show if I recall. It was the era of the 4 piece rock band then copying the Beatles. My memories of the few bands I do remember were Dunny and the Showmen, A Group called Blue with a friend of mine Billy Gaugain, Dickie Loader and the Blue Jeans of course, The Bats who were a Joburg group who did a long stint at the Butterworth Hotel’s , Le Macabre, Four Jacks and a Jill two of whom I think were Durbanites. Clive Harding and Glynis Lynn(?) who married eventually. Incredible to believe the bands mentioned would all be close to or in their 70s!
kristian hansen
Hi, i remember those bands you mentioned, my brother used to play drums for the deans, i think that two of the members, Barry and Dave’s father owned the ? i forget the name now, it was opposite the yacht club on the esplanade and many bands played there, Dickie Loader, The Diamonds, Ivy League etc. Used to go there on saturdays for lunch time sessions. Great site you have, brings back many memories.
Regards, Kristian Hansen
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
The BATS Paul Ditchfield, used to visit us at Old Mutual Towers, North Beach. He dated my sister Brenda Watson for ages. He was charming. My Mother , Daphne Watson made bell bottoms for a few members of the Bats, great times. this was opposite the skating rink..in Durban. I contacted him about 15 yrs ago on Facebook.
Glenn Bubb
Good Morning Gerald,
Magnificent site. Thank you sincerely Sir. Halcyon days. Durban in the sixties. As youngsters, the big outing was for the old man to park his Wood trimmed (always highly varnished), shiny black Morris Minor station wagon at the top of West Street, outside Barclays bank DCO (which I later learned was an acronym for Dominions, Colonial and Overseas) and the four of us, the old man, the old lady, my brother and I, would take a slow, window shopping meander to the beach-front. Ice cream cones were a must from the Polar Bar. Greenacres. Payne Brothers. ABC and Cuthberts Shoe stores. OK Bazaars. Stuttafords. Dennis Mans Shop. Markhams. Beare Brothers. Chix. Past the Cenotaph, the Central Post Office, City Swimming bath and Medwood gardens. The Waverly hotel on the corner of Aliwal Street. The Tudor and Metropole to the beachfront.
The long traipse back was down Smith Street, the Royal was far too expensive, so the stop was down some wood panelled arcade into the Central Hotel (next to Kings Sport shop), where for 95c each, everyone enjoyed the full dinner menu of soup, fish, mains and pudding. Waiters in stiffly starched outfits. Silver cutlery and butter balls.
Was this utopia ? Uncomplicated and bereft of stress. The scribe T.S. Elliot seems to sum it up rather well in his musing ”Time present and time past are both perhaps present in time future, and time future contained in time past”
Thanks again for this superb nostalgia.
Kind regards.
Joan Mills nee Brown
Have just been going backwards reading some of the old comments & living on an island ( Great Island ) in the Cork Harbour, County Cork, Republic of Ireland it made me quite sad to think back to those fantastic days ! !
Like you Glenn, it was always a fantastic outing for my sister & myself when our parents took us ” WINDOW SHOPPING ” ! & best of all was on the way down West street our 1st stop was ” The Mayfair Sweet Shop ” where we were given about a shilling ( & in those days late 50’s early 60’s it was a lot of money & boy could you buy sweets ! ! A string of Sugar Rock was about 6 pence, toffees 4 for a penny, WERE NOT ALLOWED CHEWING GUM although Chappies were 4 for a penny & Wick was 2 for a penny ! Nigger balls were I think 4 for a penny.
Going back to the car on the opposite side was a trip to the POLAR BAR for our ice cream to eat in the car on the way home.
The Head Waiter or Maitre D’ @ the Central Hotel use to always make such a fuss of me when we went to dinner there ( about once every 2 months ) as he couldn’t get over how small I was & yet I would sit on 2 cushions eat with a knit & fork & I was doing that from I think before I was 2 years old. Not only were my parents heartbroken when the Central closed but so was I as there were such lovely memories. Going there for lunch on a Saturday…. Our celebrations were done in the Central Hotel.
In the mid – late 60’s when I was working for Stanley Motors, I use to go to STANDARD PHARMACY to buy big bottles for R ??? a cologne called VERBENA which is now produced & sold as L’Occitane & costs a darn fortune ! My Mom used it as an astringent on her face, my Dad as an After Shave & me, it was my favourite cologne ! ! So clean smelling that when I discovered it after being given a present have since stocked up.
Also in the late 60’s going to the different movies with a friend & always going to the ROYAL HOTEL down to the basement to the OMLETTE BAR as it was only R1.99 for a dinnerplate that was covered with the most delicious omlette & a portion of chips.
Going to all those different balls in the City Hall. What fun it was also going to Kinrade & Potter Dancing Studio for lessons on a Wednesday night & the social circle was unreal.
The other high point was literally living & dying on the Beach in front of The Nest & also down on South Beach ! I use to leave home as dawn was breaking to catch the bus & didn’t come home until dusk. My poor mother use to give out to me as she made a big roast for Sunday Lunch & I was missing until we eventually got her to stop cooking for lunch as the weather was also so hot & started doing it at night so once again it became a family meal.
I am very fortunate in the aspect that I still have female friends from those days that I see when I come to S A on my visits. One of them whom I introduced to her husband, he joined us for her 70th Breakfast which was my treat & boy did we talk the proverbial hind leg off a Donkey & the people who run the restaurant at Mitchell Park were very good as we were there for over 3 hours drinking, eating & reminiscing about our antics from the time we moved to Umbilo ( in 1963 or 4 ) from Westville..
To me there is nothing better than to have a lovely time sitting around chatting about those days ! !
The village I live in has a fair number of ex South Africans living here & it was weird when I discovered an ex school mate of my sister’s, the chap who I bought my son’s 1st dog ( a Pug ) from the only person who bred them in Natal & he was also working for Durban Corporation as a Horticulturist, namely Malcolm Kitt ! ! My sister was so envious when she found out that I’m friends with him & I had great fun telling her that last Sunday 31st March, 2019 was Mother’s Day here in Europe & Malcolm gave me not 1 but 3 Orchids as he knows I love them & it’s something that I can grown in my flat..
Thanks for the opportunity to share & re-read all those lovely posts about our growing up years in what use to be a fantastic place!
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Glenn,
Yes those REALLY were the days and unless you experienced life in Durban as it was then, I would say you missed something. Life really was more carefree and far less stress. Anyway thanks for the comments. If you haven’t read it yet perhaps you would enjoy this. Go to the Banner Page of FAD, click on Beach, Music Entertainment, click on Gerald’s Big Interesting page and read “What did you do for fun?” A bit long but..
David Morty
Yorkshire House – I have been collecting photo’s of buildings built by my maternal grandparents David & Martha Burns ( D Burns & Co) but have been unable to trace a photo of Yorkshire House. They also built many other notable buildings such as Stuttafords, Ansteys, Point Prison, Lion Match Factory office block, Cumberland Hotel & Surrey Mansions to name but a few. Does anybody have a photo of Yorkshire house?
Colin Lewis
Does anyone have any memorioes of the offshore Single Buoy Mooring construction?
I was sub-contracted by Land and Marine who operated the barges that towed the pipes out to sea. We stayed at the Plaza Hotel whilst on the contract from the UK.
DANNY MOODLEY
Hi Colin are you talking about the Pipes out to sea.the first one took place in Isipingo. The British Contractor was Sam Colin. They were the Contractors worldwide who layed pipelines under the Ocean.
THE FIRST HISTORICAL PIPELINE IN SOUTH AFRICA WAS IN 1963. FROM DURBAN TO JHBURG.
A OIL PIPE LINE SENDING CRUDE OIL TO SASOL
Rodney Coyne
I don’t remember exactly when, but it must have been about this time : a submerged cabin was placed off Addington Beach and it was supposed to be occupied by 2 or 3 people for some scientific observation of the sea floor. If I remember rightly it was never used because it had just been placed on the sea bed when it was wrecked by rough seas. I think that it was placed somewhere near the wreck of Ovington Court.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Rodney
It was 1962. See What happened in Durban 1962 or else Search for HUNUC (Habitat University Natal Underwater Club.
Ben Dippenaar
Dear Glenda (Koekemoer- Sutherland) I knew Mark well, and about Alan. Horse fell on him at Summerveld during work. Mark won the July on Right Prerogative, right? We were a group who had dinner at The Charcoal Haven on Saturday nights, then on to disco dancing at the Millionaires’ Club in Gillespie street. I still have contact with Dave Byrnes, son of “Big Race” Joe Byrnes, now in his 80’s. The 70’s in Durban were the best decade in the whole world for young guns like us. The Split Level in Scottburgh was brilliant as well. How could those days end? Does anybody still have a photo of the old Smith Street police station. Please email it to me. Forever grateful. Now sitting in Gordon’s Bay, missing Durban. We cannot relive the past. Cherish the memories!
Dave Kershaw
I arrived in Durban exactly 50 years ago (18 April 1966) on board the Edinburgh Castle. I had a wife and 4 small boys between 1 and 9 years old, Steven, Mark, Paul and Peter. We had 300 Brit pounds (R600) but nowhere to live and just the promise of a job at Dunlop in Sydney Road. My salary was to be R265 per month. The Immigration Dept., put us up at The Wagon Wheels Hotel in Florida Road for 2 weeks, after that we were “on our own”. Somehow we survived and we left Durban late 1967 (actually we were living in Sarnia, Pinetown by then) for a much better paid job in Johannesburg but ALL our holidays were in Durban. When we entered the port in Durban I looked at the lovely buildings along the Victoria Embankment and saw the Customs and other officials dressed in white – I thought that we had arrived in Hawaii! My oldest son, Steven, still lives in KZN, in Drummond. Lovely memories.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Peter Heath
I do not seem to be able to reply beneath your comment so hope you find this reply here.
Henry Diffenthal passed away just recently I saw his funeral notice in the newspaper.
About the Kerdachis. I think there were three families I know of in Durban. One family was the musicians Simon, Desmond and Gerald , then there was another family with Neville who I think his father was the councillor and then there was another family with Colin Kerdachi who was Sandra’s brother. There were other Kerdachi families as well. I knew Gerald, Neville and Colin from St Henrys Marist.
Graham Campbell
There was a business in Edwin Swales Drive, Associated Timbers, that was owned by a Kerdachi?
Frank Beeton
Kristian Hansen, the establishment was the Esplanade Hotel, and the bands played upstairs on the Al Fresco Terrace. I think the owner’s surname was Kline, and his two sons were musicians.
kristian hansen
Hi Frank,
Yes you are quite right and i remembered the name al fresco the next day after posting.
Lynne
Hi can someone please help me.I’m trying to trace the Naidoo Family who lived at unit 11 Road 1102 in the 1970s in Durban chatsworth I think.the parents were George and Manormoney and the siblings were Collin,Venillah,Pamela,Jean and Michelle who is probably all older than 50 by now
Ingy
What a lovely article and read brought back many memories. I went to St. Josephs Convent School for 2 years Class 1-2 – 1963-1964. Used to catch the bus from the Bluff. Remember a lot of buildings mentioned. Always loved the Christmas window shopping. My parents used to park opposite the old Tech then we used to walk to the beach front and back getting an ice cream by the Polar Bear Cnr Broad and Smith. Wouldn’t be able to do that now sadly. Give us back those days.
ivan beal
hello ingy, i lived on the bluff for a while, firstly at Fynnlands beach then later on, at glenardle road, there was a chap named arthur zebert who was quite well known on the bluff, he later became a photographer as did another acquaintance who used to come to the beach on the bluff where there was a swimming pool built at the edge of the shore so the seawater and tide would fill the pool, if we had any money, we could take the funicular railway down to the beach. the other chappie was raymond turner who also ended up as a photographer fairly well known in durban.
Cynthia
hi there
I would love to ask some questions to you guys who were born before 1986 ..am writing an assignment and i ended up here my topic is so simple How was Durban during the period 1986-2016 ..
i would be pleased and happy if some of you guys can share their view or experiences of living in Durban with me.
Cynthia
mark awerbuch
HI All
I’m an ex Durban boy.Went to DPHS and then as a border to Kearsney College in Bothas Hill.Matriculated 1964,Army Gym 1965 and UCT 1966-1971.I lived at 65 South Ridge Rd on the Berea.House since demolished and now a block of flats-sadly.I knew Sandra Kerdachi-she taught me how to French kiss .I reckon I was 14 or 15.Knew one of her brothers, not Simon but can’t recall his name ??? They lived in Vause Rd,and yes her dad was a city counsillor. Others from that era were Pat Diamond and Chad(Roger Criteon);they were really good mates of mine.Knew a great guy Henry ?? a reasonable surfboarder, Hugo Van Zyl(?sp). Also Calvin Rhodes,Martin Stewart,Jannie Kombrink- naughty boys and members of a gang at South Beach known as the Beach Boys .There was a beautiful girl who lived in or close to Vause Rd,Angela Summers .A girl I liked very much was Lizzy Jankovic who lived in Silverton Rd.If I recall correctly Terence Flusk was kicked to death by David Anderson and ?Ian McTavish at a party.
Can anyone help me with info on the aforementioned people.Plus what was the name of the cafe on South Beach that served a “load of milk”? I think it was milk with a shot of vanilla; and what was the name of the cafe at the end of North Beach to the left of Cuban Hat and The Nest when facing the sea?
I’m a retired medical specialist now and live in Adelaide South Australia – forced into retirement in Feb 2014 by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for which I was forced to travel to Israel for a bone marrow transplant because the Australian doctors refused to treat me on the grounds I had a very poor prognosis.I had my transplant in October 2014 in Jerusalem.
Thanks
ivan beal
i wonder if sandra kerdachi’s brother was neville, he was at school with me, i am not sure if he was a city councilor but he was a very successful businessman, probably still is, but perhaps retired by now as we must be a bout the same age i am 76 although i have not retired, i still operate two retail shops in muswell hill in london. i very much hope that your treatment was a great success mark
Melanie Dantes-Mortimer
I think you mean Dantes milk bar 🙂
Terry Foster
Terence Flusk was my cousin, and was killed in 1962, by gatecrashers denied entry to a party.
He had gone out to buy cool drinks on his bike and he died after being punched by one of the gatecrashers with a knuckle duster.
My Aunt Enid McNeil (who died in 2016) put an advert in the papers every year at the anniversary of his death, never quite getting over his death.
I was born a year later and was named after my cousin.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Terry
That was a truly tragic event that occurred so many years ago. I was of that time and remember it widely reported in the papers. If I recall an individual was charged and sentenced. I remember his mother’s remembrance notices year after year and her upset was clearly indicated in her earlier ones.
mark awerbuch
And something else. My first real girlfriend was Sue Johnson.She went to St Mary’s Girls School in Kloof.Her dad was a GP .I think his name might have been Hugh .Does anyone know what became of Sue? I last saw her about 45 years ago – ouch.
Mark Billingham
The name of the cafe at end of North Beach (Bay of Plenty) was Dantes.
Graeme
I’ve got a feeling that the shop at the end of North Beach, slightly in and towards the old ice rink, was Montazuma…
It is still there now but a mickey mouse setup compared to what is was in the 60’s.
mark awerbuch
Thanks Graeme but wasn’t Montezuma a block of flats on Snell Parade. Perhaps the milk bar/cafe I’m thinking of is or was called Milky Way?
Allan Jackson
HI Mark. Montezuma was a tearoom in Playfair Road between the Cumberland Hotel and Natal Command, I know because I used to stop there when I was on a camp at Natal Command.
Graeme
Hi Mark and Allan, yes you are correct. Montazuma is behind the Cumberland Hotel. Mark Billingham mentioned above the cafe was called Dantes…………maybe this is correct but I cannot remember that name in the 60’s….. Age has caught up….although Milky Lane sounds more familiar.
I know at that time you could buy a mean Dagwood toasted sami there and it used to stay open fairly late on Saturday nights to cater for us after the Durban Surf “sessions”. How good were those!!!
ivan beal
hello graeme, talking of late night cafes, do you or anyone else remember micks pie cart nearby the station, we used to go there after a late night party and have pie and chips or hot dogs, or anything to eat after being up late becoming hungry on the way home, i used to live at kings hall in aliwal street at the time
Melanie Dantes-Mortimer
Dantes Milk Bar -there’s pictures in an old paper somewhere online but can’t find it now 🙁 was my gran and grandads restaurant
mark awerbuch
Thanks guys – Dante’s is right.Would go there for lunch with my late Uncle Chony Tomson and first cuz Shaun later to become World Surfing Champion,now living in California .Other cousin Michael Tomson also went to California and started surfwear company,Gotcha.
Melanie Dantes-Mortimer
My gran and grandpa owned Dantes Milk Bar!Popular with the surfers. My dad used to surf with Sean Thompson
If anyone has any pictures of the old restaurant I would be so grateful.Jimmy Dantes passed away in 1995
DANNY MOODLEY
hello Ivan
I remember the Pie Cart. it was in 1962 that it use to be In Pine Street not far from the Durban Station.at about 11pm
I used to buy a Pie . it was near the Bus Terminal. We used to call it the PIE CART
Robby
Thanks guys – Brings back so many memories
Does anyone perhaps have any facts and history to share on the “Old Customs and Excise Building” in Durban.
Lynn Raw
I worked there from 1968 to 1973 and it does hold a few memories. While I was there they introduced separate counters for whites and non-whites with barriers between them. Virtually everyone there used the non-white counters from then on so after a few months they were removed. I guess a victory for the Durban sense of inclusion. Another memory was the whole staff being taken on to the roof to see the arrival of the first jumbo jet in Durban. On a more childish note a colleague and I obtained some agarbathi and burned it under the intake of the buildings air-conditioning unit. This caused a strong perfume throughout the building and numerous complaints.
mark awerbuch
Anyone with knowledge of the Athlone Hotel which was in or close to Durban North. I was taken there as a young boy in the late 1950s and early 60s. I’m trying to recall the manager’s name which I think was either Phil or Harry – ??
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Mark,
I recall visiting the Athlone Hotel tea garden with my Dad in the early 50s. It was a popular meeting place and there was a resident troop of monkeys which visitors fed with peanuts sold in small brown paper bags by the Indian vendors. The Athlone stood out like a beacon in those days as a large white structure across the Umgeni River with not much else around it. I looked up my 1938 Durban Directory and the hotel is listed as Athlone Gardens Hotel, Riverside so it existed then already. In the 1965 Directory it is also listed as Athlone Gardens Hotel. I seem to recall rather vaguely that in the 1960’s it was owned / run by a Mr Paola but I cannot confirm that. The hotel was enlarged later and if I recall additional floors were added. Not much more that I can add.
mark awerbuch
Thanks for that Gerald. Now how could I have forgotten about those intrepid monkeys?
My grandfather, Sam Tomson, (Tomsons Sheet Metal Works, Prince Alfred Street), would sometimes take me there on Saturday. He was friendly with the owner/ ? manager and it’s his name I’d like to find out
Gerald Buttigieg
HI Mark
Wasn’t the Thomson’s Sheet Metal Works marque, the Winking Cavalier? It was a decal they attached to cars they had done a number on if I remember. And I think I still have one tucked away somewhere. No leads on the name you are looking for.
Gerald
Jenny+Donaldson
Hi Mark
Just reading through all these old comments. My uncle Rusty was a manager at the Athlone Hotel sometime is the late 50’s early 60’s. Derek Rusbridge, he was British and had to resign when it became compulsory to be bilingual.
mark awerbuch
Tomsons – no ‘h’. Shortened from Tomchinsky after emigrating from Latvia to South Africa.
Not sure about the decal. My uncle Sonny Tomson was a rally driver – VWs and Volovos.
Joan Mills
My mother use 2 play cards with your Uncle Sonny !
What a small world we live in !
DANNY MOODLEY
DOES ANYBODY KNOW A PERSON BY THE NAME OF RALPH GOLDBERG—WHO OWNED MANY HOTELS IN DURBAN BEACHFRONT–BEACH HOTEL–LONSDALE–KILLARNEY—TROPICANA—-AND MANY HOLIDAY FLATS IN THE 1960s
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
I do! My Mother Daphne Watson lived in Clarige Court, continuous parking problems! With her yellow Datsun, later stolen.
I went to Cookie Look very often. I enjoyed the live music. Happy times.
i knew the band members.
Did the band from Ireland play, Was Gerry the singer., Gerry died recently near Durban North, he owned a few bars, The Shades of Green*
Hello
my Manager at the Blue Waters Hotel, North Beach in 1968, was Colin Goldberg and his father owned many hotels.I was a receptionist with Penny .Bannerman from South .beach. Chris Barnard often stayed there, I have his autograph. ingrid worked as cashier, she was German and had dated Elvis Presley, and had a gold watch from him.
Andrew Goldberg
He was my grandfather – Simon Goldberg his father also was a hotelkeeper. The last hotel that he owned was sold recently – it was the St. James.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Andrew
I remember the St James Hotel from the days I used to accompany my late Uncle on his early early morning fishing trips to the old North Pier. We used to drive all the way to Fynnlands in the wee hours to buy fresh live shrimp bait and then return via Edwin Swales eerily lit by orange sodium lights through a deserted city down Point Road to the pier. The James Hotel on the left always had its lights on. Here are two pictures of the St James as it was and as present.
Picture courtesy of Hugh Bland.
St James Hotel as it is today.
andrew goldberg
Thanks so much for the pictures I am doing a project for my son on all the hotels of the Family. These pictures will come to great use. Ralph also owned the Howick Falls Hotel, the Beach Hotel, the Killarney Hotel, the Moon Hotel, the Impala Holiday Flats and the Bencorrum. I will try and post some pictures.
mark awerbuch
Know the name well but not the guy. My sister Janice Ellison still lives in Durban and there’s a high likelihood she’ll know him. Will ask when next we Skype.
DANNY MOODLEY
THAT PIPELINE THAT BURST IN BELLAIR—I WORKED FOR THAT CONSTRUCTION—IT WAS A TWELVE INCH
STEEL PIPELINE —THE CONTRACTORS WERE FROM USA AND CANADA—THE NAME WAS McALPINE SOMMERVILLE CONSTRUCTIONS
THE CONTRACT FOR 30 MILLION POUNDS—IT STARTED INN 1964
WE SOUTH AFRICANS WHO WORKED THERE—LIVED IN CARAVANS.
IS THERE ANYONE THAT REMEMBERS THIS CONTRACT.
Pete Swanepoel
Hi Danny. All I remember was people from McAlpine Sommerville arrived in Harrismith when the pipeline passed there. New people and some new faces of kids in the school. Canadians.Soon after, they were gone again. All that was left were a few beautiful pastel paintings of Eskimo children . . .
Amber
Hi all,
Sorry a long shot but worth a try… My parents got married in the 80’s at Old Fort Chapel by a Reverend Hall but i am needing his full name. My mom is deceased and my dad is terrible at remembering names 🙂
Any help would be so greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Amber
Allan Jackson
Hi Amber, I hope someone will know but the snag is that people would get their own priests to marry them at the Old Fort Chapel so the Reverend Hall could have been from any church in Durban.
Frank Beeton
Hello Amber, your long shot may have hit its target! The late Reverend Roy Morris James Hall was my wife’s uncle, being the resident minister at either the Bluff or Stella Presbyterian Churches during that period. He often conducted weddings at the Old Fort Chapel, so I think he may have been your man!
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Amber,
There was a Reverend Hall whose parish was St Margaret’s on the Bluff. He was Presbyterian. This info is from my wife who was a member of that parish. He would be well into his old age now if he is still alive. She cannot remember his first name. However I am sure if you approached the Presbyterian Church administration in Durban they should have some sort of record of his service in Durban and possibly other information. Good Luck. Let us know if he is the one.
Frank Beeton
Correcting my post: Reverend Roy MAURICE James Hall. Gerald, I think we are both talking about the same person!
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Frank
Yes when I told my wife that Rev Hall’s first name was Roy (from your post) she said ” that’s him”.
Amber
Thank you so much all you lovely people! It is very much appreciated 🙂
Keep well.
helen
Wat happened to Paul George Mopp who was murdered in durban 50yrs ago. I’m struggling to get info of my late father any info whatsoever would be a big help. Thank you, my contact details are 0833686155.
Allan Jackson
If anyone knows anything and can’t conveniently phone Helen, just leave a comment or contact me at the address on our contact page.
Michael Williams
Hi Gerald, you, you mentioned you played for Gongs Hockey Club. You must remember Gordon Bradfield, who was a hockey Springbok, as well as Rob and David Dudley, Trevor Hayden. I played for the social side to keep fit for the cricket season. there was an article on Gongs cricket in the Daily News in the 60’s which I kept but now have lost. Any idea who I can contact about this article. You have a wonderful site.
Gerald
Hi Mike
Yes I played for Gongs Second Side for about 8 years. All the names you mention were contemporaries. I am not sure who keeps the archives for the Daily News, I know that the Killie Campbell Library has The Mercury archives on microfiche. You could try them. Trevor Hayden no longer with us. I am not sure if Gongs still exists today as I never hear about league games anymore. Gongs Hockey was an amazing club in that it never had a clubhouse and other facilities yet the spirit was so strong it was quite a force and could always field a strong side in the top division. I started hockey as a school boy in 1960 when I played for Marist Old Aidanites. Really enjoyed my hockey; it was quite a social game and popular. Queensmead used to be abuzz on Sunday mornings from 9 am till noon if you remember apart from the other clubs that had grounds. You do not mention the years you played.
Michael Williams
Hi Gerald, I played league cricket from 1968 to 1988 and then moved to Jhbg. As you say without a clubhouse the spirit was amazing. We used to have cooler boxes after practise and the same thing after a game. We then ran the bars at old Kingsmead for the cricket union and they gave us a pub under the old stands to use as a clubhouse. Many a good time was had there.
Robert Lailvaux
Hi Gerald, This is a shot in the dark;
My cousin George Kuhn, DHS scholar played cricket and hockey for Gongs during early to mid 70’s. Would you perhaps know him? Also his friend David Flanders?
Rob
John Corlett
Hi Gerald
I am John Corlett. I met you originally when we both trained as pupil technicians at Oribi Camp with the then GPO telecommunications dept.
I have a tremendous amount of input for your website, but in order not to bore the readers I’ll do it in sections.
Firstly, you mentioned the mechanically elevated stage area at the city hall. Well, my dad was the architect who designed that feature. He worked at the Durban City Engineers Dept. because his UK qualifications did not allow him to practise as a private architect in SA at the time. However, that did not stop him doing occasional private jobs.
For instance he was commissioned by a Johannesburg architect friend of his, who was going blind, to design a few drive-in cinemas on his behalf. At that time we only had the main Durban Drive-in, which had the projector room situated right at the back, with a throw of approximately 400yards, resulting in a compromised screen brightness. Well, my dad came up with the concept of placing the projection room and amenities centrally, resulting in a much improved picture, plus tea room and toilet facilities being more accessible to all the patrons. The first one was the Umbilo Drive-in, followed by the Bluff and then an Indian one, which must have been in Chatsworth (I don’t quite remember). Our family had free passes to all 3 of these drive-ins, but we still had to pay at the main Durban one. I can still remember the ticket office guy looking in our car at my parents and me, then shouting back to his colleague “Three, – ten and sixpence”
In response to Vernon Varty’s reply to Jo, I was the bass player in the John Drake Trio, after Johnny Joustra moved to Cape Town. We played in the Rainbow Room at the Wagonwheels Hotel in Florida Road every Saturday from 12 to 5pm. This is when the original Durban Jazz Club was formed in about 1973. We were the resident band there for about 4 years and also traveled to places like Kokstad, Jo’burg, Cape town etc. and every year we were flown to P.E. as the main feature at their Winter Jazz Festival in the Elizabeth Hotel. We went as a team called “The Demolition Squad” incorporating the J.D. Trio plus Basil Metaxis [alto sax], Phil Harbor [tenor sax] and Anita Zucker [vocals].
On these trips we all sat right at the back of the Boeing 727 where we were allowed to smoke our pipes!
The John Drake Trio also recorded for several SABC broadcasts featured on the Saturday morning program of the English Station, called “Piano Playtime” Also when the pianist of the Benny Goodman Band, Teddy Wilson, toured S. Africa we were the supporting act on the Durban leg of his shows.
Prior to the Wagonwheels days I used to stand in on bass, for John Joustra, every Thursday evening at the L.A. when he and John Drake had their evening off. The pianist standing in for John Drake was Eldon Hawkes, with whom I also played for weddings at the Old Causerie in the Edward Hotel and at the Jewish Club on the corner of Playfair Rd. and Old Fort Rd.
On several occasions I played with Simon Kerdachi at the Oysterbox, standing in for his regular bass player, Peter Bosse. In response to Mel, Simon actually had both his legs amputated. It was shortly after the second amputation that he passed away.
On the subject of The 67, if I recall correctly, it was also previously called The Troubador.
Another famous Durban musician and entertainer that has not yet been mentioned is Colin Penn. He formed a trio, way back, called Colin Penn and the Pennants. I took over from his original bass player, Berry Taylor, in 1967 and am still playing in this band. Colin has put on many successful shows over the years. I recall how we managed to fill the Durban City Hall to capacity (+- 2000 people) twice in one day on Sunday 7th May 1995 when we put on the show “We Will Remember” which was a tribute to all the entertainers throughout WW2. I have a video tape of this show, which was recorded for us by Henry Diffenthal, whose wife Susanne Atwell was one of the singers.
Colin was also well known for his Disney productions in the late 60’s/early 70’s. There was Spiderman, Batman, The Hulk (Reg Parks) and others. He had spectacular looking “batmobiles” built which were used to drive these characters around and on one occasion had the whole Durban beachfront cordoned off to protect the crowds who pitched up to watch Spiderman scaling the walls of the Maharani Hotel.
Well, that’s all for now from me.
DANNY MOODLEY
I know Colin Penn.who use to perform in the Killarney Hotel in 1962.I WAS THEN A PAGE BOY–OR A BELL HOP. He was knowned as Colin Penn and his Pennents.He always wore a Bowtie
there after they had Little Joe and the Travellers thereafter it was BILLY FORREST
Pippa R Hann
Hello John,
As I read your description of all the musicians of this time, I find my father’s
name missing (esp for the Causerie, Jewish Club etc) Ray Hann!
He was well known and respected for his talents both as a musician and an artist. Do you know his graphic art is still used on logos such as Robertson’s spices (clipper ship) and Rainbow chickens.
He died way too young though, and I suppose this is why only his contemporaries are mentioned over and over in the music recollections of the 50/60’s.
However, by this date, they will all be in jazz heaven!!
Sincerely,
Philippa Hann
Rodney Coyne
I have just returned from a visit to Cape Town. While there, I was taken to the Heart Museum at Groote Schuur Hospital, which was fascinating, especially as it was just a few days after the 50th anniversary of the word’s first heart transplant. This reminded me of a fact which is now probably largely forgotten. Only a few months after Dr Barnard’s success, a similar operation was performed at King Edward Hospital in Durban. At the time. my father was Chief Pharmacist at the hospital and was involved in supplying the anti-rejection medications. He was rather disparaging of the whole affair and he dismissed it as the medical school trying to get on the bandwagon. At the time I thought that to be rather unfair, but with hindsight I now think that he was quite correct. My connection with this operation continued when as part of my studies I visited the Government Mortuary (in Gale Street I think). One of the bodies examined was that of the heart donor for the above-mentioned operation. He was a boy aged about 18. I think that he had died in a motor accident, but cannot now recall his name or other details. Since the 50th anniversary of this event must be coming up shortly, perhaps FAD could resurrect some of the details. The operation incidentally was not a success.
Gerald
Hi Rodney,
I cannot recall the heart transplant operation in Durban at all. In my late father in law’s 1967 scrapbook, Dr Barnard’s ground breaking operation was documented quite well with more than the normal amount of cut outs. He has nothing on the Durban operation. The Government Mortuary was in Gale Street not far from the Moore Road intersection. Dr Barnard grew up in Beaufort West and there is a museum dedicated to him and all the awards he was given. The operating theatre was replicated as well.
EDit: I found the picture I took of Dr Barnard’s simple grave in the grounds of the old Dutch Reformed Church Presbytery. His father was the dominee there and Dr Barnard was born and grew up in the house.
Joan Mills
If my memory is correct, it was @ Wentworth Hospital that the Durban heart transplant took place & it was a coloured lady Doris or Dorothy [ Fisher ] has just come 2 mind.
Because of how pretty flamboyant Chris Barnard was the Durban op took very much a back seat in the news as also Chris’s life also took over all headlines!!
Bernard Shapiro
Great blog and lots of memories. I knew Terence Flusk and lived just one block away in Glenwood where we grew up. Also, while still at school at Westville High, I was an usher at the Durban City Hall and the Passion Play was the first show I worked. I lived all my life in Durban and was part of the original Game Discount World management team. I wrote a special blog about those early days. earlygamedays.blogspot.co.za
Graham Campbell
Hi Bernard,
Prior to your Game days, I purchased my first car radio from Grants Discount at the top end of Smith Street, between Broad and Russell. Probably the old premises of the Sons of England Hall, where as a teenager I attended ‘Sessions’ which was also started by Alan Hellman. You were the salesman that attended to me. If I recall correctly, Grants was takenover by Greatermans.(Greenacres etc). Then Alan went onto start ‘Game’
I recall Gert Smit, who had a bad limp, performing there. He had a stage name which I can’t recall.
Bernard Shapiro
Great blog and good memories
Bernard Shapiro
Great blog and lots of memories. I knew Terence Flusk and lived just one block away in Glenwood where we grew up. Also, I was an usher at the Durban City Hall and the Passion Play was the first show I worked. I lived all my life in Durban and was part of the original Game Discount World management team. I wrote a special blog about those early days. earlygamedays.blogspot.co.za
Mark Awerbuch
Started scrolling through earlier posts. Johan M(May 19 2015) mentioned Montclair where we had a home. 171 Anleno Road in fact. My late father Gerald Awerbuch worked for many years as a GP in Clairwood.
Re post of Peter Heath(June 1 2016). I was good friends with Sandra and Colin Kerdachi who lived in Vause Rd. Their Dad was a Durban City Councillor. At the time we lived at 65 South Ridge Rd, sadly now a block of flats.
Mark Awerbuch
A follow-up to my last post: my neighbours in Anleno Rd Montclair were the Irvines and the Thrings. I was a friend of Barry Thring and Gary Irvine, whose brother Lee played cricket for South Africa. Lee went to DHS and I went to Kearsney College in Bothas Hill. I was in the school First Eleven and played cricket against both Lee Irvine and Barry Richards, also at DHS. Although Barry was a great batsman he was also a good leg spin bowler and got me out when we played DHS. In 2001 Barry Richards endorsed my book Live Stronger Live Longer ( McGraw-Hill), as did Gary Player and Shaun Tomson amongst others.
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
Oh! I met Barry Richards at the Claridges Hotel, I had 1 further date with him. he sent me a drink and a note, very nice one, he had a heavy Mercedes.
michelle taylor
Hi was wondering, my mom, use to have a newspaper article about her dad’s accidental death at the Durban harbor in March of 1968 or 69 or 70 he was crushed between his boat and the wall his name was Clement Bruce Andrson.
any info would be well-received thanks
mark awerbuch
Sorry I clicked the unsubscribe button in error please rectify
Cheryl Tebbutt
Thank you for all the facts.
I was THE GIRL Who met the winning Dusi entrants
In a bikini.! It was the time when black/white T.V
Started. So I was on TV the first night it arrived in DURBAN
1974? I lived in a flat in Stanger Street!
Wendy Gibson
Very cool Cheryl !!
DANNY MOODLEY
Hi Johan
IT WAS CALLED THE CLAIRMONT HOTEL—–SITUATED AT SOUTH COAST ROAD,CLAIRWOOD. OPP THE ST.ANTHONYS CHURCH.
THE BUILDING IS STILL THERE,BUT NOT A HOTEL
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
The BATS Paul Ditchfield, used to visit us at Old Mutual Towers, North Beach. He dated my sister Brenda Watson for ages. He was charming. My Mother , Daphne Watson made bell bottoms for a few members of the Bats, great times. this was opposite the skating rink..in Durban. I contacted him about 15 yrs ago on Facebook.
Danny Moodley
If I remember clearly, I think Paul was also a Springbok Radio DJ
Cheryl Tebbutt
Hello
Does anyone remember a beautiful Sally Williams from the Berea., near Musgrave Road, met her at Art School Natal Art College 1966? Her Stepfather was Roy Barnard , newspaper reporter in crime. She later worked in a record bar opposite famous mens shop in an arcade in centre of Durban. I971. She married a Audibert, divorced. Her sister went to live in Wales, she had deformed hand ….1974 I bumped into Sally in BIba, London and that was the last. Called herself SallyWilliams Barnard.
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
I know hin as a film extra and an actor in the Playhouse Durban.
I never heard him on radio. I was a film extra and worked on 2 movies with him as extra. brenda Phelps my sister stayed friends with Paul.
I LOVE YOUR STORIES.. i had great life in Durban , I was bornthere and lived in durban north, Ellis Park and back to UMHLANGA RKS drive. 39a
Danny Moodley
Its probabily another Paul.
I am presently living in Glenashley,small world
DANNY MOODLEY
I remember Colin Penn,he used to perform at the Killarney Hotel in 1963
always wore a Bowtie
The other Drive-in Cinema was built in Shallcross for Indians-which was not far from Chatsworth
cat king
I know this may be a long shot but I want to know if anyone knows who worked at / was the manager of the Killarney Hotel in 1978. Please get in touch if you have any contact information of someone who might know. Trying to track someone down who was supposedly the manager there at the time.
Allan Jackson
Hi Cat, You could try our Facebook page too at https://www.facebook.com/groups/FactsAboutDurban/.
Danny Moodley
Hi Allan,
The best I can tell you is from 1962 to 1966 was a Mr/Mrs Carton, a French Couple,the it was a Mr.Duncan, then there was a Mr.Giquel.
Later was a person,who was a Manager at the Beach Hotel,came to the Killarney as a Manager –and the Took over the
Hotel,trying to get his name. previously owned by Roy Palmer then by Ralph Goldberg and ERNI SIMPKINS.
when I get his name ,I will come back to you, not far from the hotel was Bakers Biscuits.
Pete Swanepoel
Danny you have an amazing memory. And not only Durban – you also reminded me of things about the Canadians who built the JHB – DBN pipeline! Thanks to all of you who help this fascinating site keep memories alive. Great work!
John Corlett
Hi everyone.
When I was the bass player in the Ian Wells Quartet at the Golden Cage room of the Killarney in 1968 the manager, if I’m not mistaken, was a Mr. Gamage. Hope that helps.
Danny Moodley
Hello,,I now remember the last manager of the Killarney Hotel,His name was Sam Clark—–he eventually
owned the Hotel together with the Beach Hotel.
He sadly passed away—a very nice man.
Vren Humphris
What a brilliant website. Thanks for the memories.
Allan Jackson
Glad you enjoy it Vren. We can’t spend as much time on it as we would like but we love putting all this info out there.
Vren Humphris
How/where can I read about durban in 1961?
Allan Jackson
Hi Vren, Gerald did a companion article on the 1961-1971 decade which may have some thing for you: https://www.fad.co.za/2011/09/20/what-happened-in-and-around-durban-50-years-ago/. You could also try our search feature and type in 1961. There are quite a lot of results and may contain something of interest.
charles morton
I was working in the refinery at the time that the fire started. I was just going off shift at 07.30 when the fire-alarm sounded and the gates were locked. It was an unusual thing as I had just worked a “double-shift” (4-12 & 12-8) and by law should not have been allowed to work any longer. I was on the fire team and rushed over to the fire house and jumped on the truck. I eventually was cleared to go home at about 13.00. Returned at 15.30 for my next shift.
Danny Moodley
Was that the Refinery in Tara Road Wentworth,when did the fire broke out
Radhika Rana
Hi ,
Does anyone have pictures or videos of the old Durban Ice Rink ? and all those wonderful shows that used to happen there ?
Danny Moodley
Hi Radhika you can go into the internet and you will get your info
I remember those shows
Shannon D'Alton
I have been trying to find the Rag queen from 1963. Any help would be appreciated.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Shannon
I asked someone who was at Varsity during those years and she thinks it was Lee Parker. Not 100% sure.
Brad Lange
Just saw a piece in 1962 in the article where my Dad Trevor Lange won the Gold cup on a horse called Speciality. Very special to see. Brad Lange
Gerald Buttigieg
Part of Durban’s history Brad.
DANNY MOODLEY
DOES ANYBODY REMEMBERS THE FAMOUS ENTERTAINERS DURING THE 1960s
BILLY FORREST—COLIN PEN AND HIS PENNENT——EDRAUDA JAMAIME— BOBBY DARIN—JODY WAYNE—NIKKI CASSIM—-THE FOOTSTEPS——LITTLE JOE AND THE TRAVELLERS——-THE STACCATOES——- MEL MILLER——FOUR JACKS AND A JILL—-ARCHI SELENSKY———-AND MANY MORE
John Corlett
Hi guys
Yes, Colin Penn is not a very well man these days but still plays mainly at old age homes and puts on an occasional show, although struggling physically. I have been his main bass player since 1967. The Staccatos drummer is the maintenance manager at St. Olavs church in St. Thomas Road. Many of the other musicians you mentioned have sadly passed on now though.
DANNY MOODLEY
thanks for the info John,when I worked at the Killarney, this young man with a Dark Suit always wore
a Bowtie.well mannered and quiet.
his band was known as Colin Penn and his Pennents.
they played at the Elpaso Restaurant at the Killarney,I was a Page Boy or Bell Hop -whatever you call it
take care—my regards to him
John Corlett
Hi Danny
Jody Wayne (Little Joe) and the Travellers played at the El Paso. Their double bass player was Eddie Rice, and his younger brother, Peter was our rythm guitarist when I played in the Delfinns in the mid 60’s. Peter was the emprisario who took The Flames to England and managed their affairs there. I also played in the ballroom in the basement of the Killarney Hotel with Johnny Williams and his band. Also, in 1968, I played in the Ian Wells Quartet at the Golden Cage upstairs in the Killarney at the same period as The Rising Sons were at the Lonsdale Hotel – I think in the El Castilian room. I later joined Colin Penn and the Pennants where we played upstairs at the Lonsdale for various functions, such as the Miss Lonsdale competitions. Lots of good memories flooding back here!
Danny Moodley
Yes I remember Jody Wayne—–you are good on your History—He came from Rhodesia
and played –I thought it was the Crystall Ballroom.
I Knew Steve Fataar n of the FlamesWhen Little Joe and the Travellers completed their contract
Billy Forrest took over there.He made a record called Billy Forrest come back to me.
John Corlett
Quite right Danny.
I saw Steve Fataar playing somewhere near Florida Road a few years ago and he told me that he shared a room with Peter Rice in Soho London, but that Peter had never mentioned that he was also a musician!!! How’s that for genuine modesty?
Danny
What happen to his brothers Blondie ,don’t know the others name.they moved to Britain and became more Famous.with Your Precious Love. Any news on Edraudo Jamaine.used to performer the Edward. Hotel
Joan Mills
The tobacconist was ARMY & NAVY as my mother use to bulk buy her & my Dad’s cigarettes from them so I remember going in with her ! !
Danny Moodley
Hi Joan,with regards to the Stellawood Cemetery,you can Contact the EThekwini Municipality, dept of Parks and Gardens,they are the ones that are in charge of all Cemeteries and Cremitoriums.
You will find their contact details when you Google.
all the luck
Joan Mills
Thank You Danny for your input.
Gerald has also contacted me & all the information that I have
I have passed on to him as he said that he will see what he can
find out.
My father is also buried in Stellawood but on the Terraces where
you can’t put anything not even flowers but that was his wish &
he also stated that he didn’t want us to go visiting the grave so I
have only been there once when my sister didn’t say where we
were going
Vernon Varty
To John Corlett … Hello John, sorry I missed you on my last visit to Durban. My brother Barry took me to your house but your neighbours told us you were away on holiday.
I didn’t know that you worked with pianist Ian Wells, but you brought back memories … Ian was the pianist with Dickie Loader and the Blue Jeans, back when I played in that band, around 1960.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I have some recordings by Eldon Hawkes and also by Steve Gale, from back in the day, so if you know anyone who might be interested in having them I’ll be happy to oblige.
Best wishes
Vernon
Joan Mills
Hi Vernon,
Did your brother Barry, live & work in Johannesburg for a while namely in 1987 / 1988 ??? Working for 1 of 2 companies called Green & Sons which was a division of Rutherford’s who moved to Germiston from the Sandton area.
It’s just reading through the comments the name seems to ring a bell hence my asking.
John Corlett
Hi Vernon. Sorry I missed you. At the moment we are spending 6 months of each year in the UK with our daughter, Nicci and her family who live on the edge of the New Forest, near Southampton, so we are off there again in May until November. I would love some Eldon Hawkes recordings, as I also did quite a lot of gigs with him in the late 60s.
Cheers for now.
John
DANNY MOODLEY
Hi John enjoy your holidays, make the best of it. Does anyone knows a famous singer in your time named
Gene Rockwell,he also worked for GALLO in Mobeni,he had a slight lime.Is he around.
take Care
John Corlett
Hi Danny. Yes, his real name is Gert Smit and his band was called The Falcons. He sang a song called Heart which made it to the top of the SA hit parade. They had a regular gig in a restaurant called Intermezzo at the Blue Lagoon.
Vernon Varty
Hello Danny
I met him when he was still at school, (Gert Smit).
I know he was still alive in 1992 because I was on the PE show with him and Gary Bryden.
I did hear that he had since died, but have no idea when.
Vernon Varty
Hello Danny
I met Gert Smit while he was still at school. By the time I joined Dickie Loader Gene/Gert had been doing very well at local talent contests.
I heard some time back that he had died, but I have no idea when. I do know that he was still alive in 1992 because I was on the PE show at the same time as Gary Bryden and Gene.
DANNY MOODLEY
Hi John Yes its him ,at the end of this song, he cries,This song made us all sad.Those were the good old days.They also took part in the Durban Rock Band Contest
take care
Vernon Varty
Hello again John
Congratulations on being able to escape both the UK and RSA winters. I remember Southampton well because back in 2004 I got a parking ticket for what was then R400 !!!! So if you ever visit the Solent Sky (Spitfire) Museum, PAY FOR PARKING first.
If you are still on e-mail corlettj@ I’ll send you the EH tracks that I have. I don’t know who the other players were, aside from guitar who I’m dead sure was Bill Fleming … maybe Max Runge on bass.
John Corlett
Thanks Vernon. Yes still same email address.
Go well.
Ian Oddy
My band opened the Smugglers in in about 1960 it was on an island in the middle of point rd. I went to 12 schools one was Treverton in Mooi River the other was Estcourt high in Estcourt. We lived at 304 manning road plus 20 other places. If any body remembers me. I can fill in the other schools and places we lived.
I was a professonal drummer from 1957 to December 31 1962 played at Beechwood golf club new yers eve.
Left SA on January17 1963 never to return.
Have played in U.S.A . England., Australia, and toured SA wih Frikie van Staden ex Niko Carsen band,
Would love to hear from any body who remembers me.IAN ODDY.
Mark Awerbuch
Just picked up on an old post. A bit slow I’m afraid. Anyhow the home in which I grew up was at 171 Anleno Rd, Montclair. This was in the 1950s and 60s, until we moved to South Ridge Rd on the Berea. The cricketers Gareth and Brian Irvine were our Montclair neighbours. They went to DHS. Brian I think represented South Africa at cricket. My dad Gerry Awerbuch had a solo GP practice in Clairwood. This was from 1947 until the late 1970s.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Mark
Just to refresh your memories by 1957 your family had moved to 65 South Ridge Road and your Dad’s Rooms were at 654 South Coast Road. By 1965 residence was still South Ridge Road but your Dad had moved Rooms to 4 Blamey Road Clairwood. 1957 N.A. Patterson lived in 171 Anleno Road and in 1965 K.M. Nero. Looks like the Irvines had moved out as well. FWIW.
Colin Bubb
Hi Gerald and Everyone. I’ve just stumbled on this page and reading some of the history here has brought back a flood of memories. I’m not sure if you remember me Gerald, I started my working career in the Dept of Posts and Telecomms in 1976 and after a short spell as a pupil technician, I switched over to the admin side at the old Taj Mahal Building in Pine St, next to the Central telephone exchange. I worked there with Sue Pitout, Joy Jacobs and Arnold Joffe. I think you were a Chief Technician at that stage. Anyway, just to follow on to your information about Dr Gerry Awerbach, I lived in Montclair too until 1985. My mom and dad both worked in the butchery which was just around the corner from the surgery around 1964 and we often saw him for minor ailments. There was also a dentist in the building, who scared the hell out of me! The butchery and in fact, the whole building, was owned by Julius and Esther Kramer. Regarding the house at 171 Anleno Rd that Dr Awerbach owned, a very good school friend who attended school with me my entire school career, was Terry Patterson, only adopted son of Neil and Joan Patterson. They did in fact stay in the house from around 1957 till some time in the ’90’s when they both passed on and as far as I know, Terry still lives in Montclair. I have many fond memories of Montclair, spanning all of 20+ years.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Colin,
The Bubb rings a bell but I cannot place you. 1976 was just after Beach 37 Exchange was commissioned. I was in charge of the cutover as Beach 37 took over from the Durban Corporation Lev 6 exchange. I remember Joy Jacobs but not the other two. Mike Dua was another admin chappie I knew. There is quite a bit about Montclair and the best way to find it is to do a SEARCH.
mark awerbuch
Gerald you’re amazing. Dare I ask the source of your info, which is spot on
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Mark,
As you may / may not know Allan Jackson started the FAD website some years ago. I got involved a long time ago and have helped Allan out when he immigrated to Australia. I have always had a keen interest in Durban’s history and so started collecting odd Durban books etc. I remember as a youngster that Braby’s used to give out free directories. These were hard covered bound books not like telephone directories. When I got hooked on this FAD site I looked around for old copies of the Braby’s but they were like hen’s teeth to find. I have managed to get hold of 4 now, 1938, 1957, 1965 and 1968. When one looks through the books between 1938 and 1957, much of Durban’s information stayed the same. It was only in the 60s that many old buildings were demolished to make way for the new. So with these 4 directories I can ascertain quite a bit of knowledge of people’s movements etc. As in your Dad’s case. Reading posts one learns where perhaps a “refreshing” of the memory is appropriate which I thought in your case. Seems I was right. What people do with the info, who knows, but I am sure it revives memories and that is the satisfaction.
Vernon Varty
Blamey Road rings such a bell for me. In 1956/7 I was a bus conductor with the Durban Corporation (probably Durban’s only ever matriculated conductor). One of the drivers, Aubrey Letard, told me that he earned extra money by playing in a band (appreciably more than he earned driving buses). I reasoned that if I could learn to play an instrument perhaps I too could earn extra cash. Noel Glover’s parents lived at number 22 Blamey Road. Noel, together with my brother Barry, a pianist named Derek Frangs, and I formed our first band. In later years we had all gone on our separate musical journeys. Noel’s ride took him via Dickie Loader & the Blue Jeans, years after my own stint with that band. In 1967 Noel and I were in Toni Febb’s band at the Federal Hotel. The Bats were playing at the Macabre in Soldier’s Way. Over the years music has been very good to me, and last year, after running my own 6-piece band for 15 years I finally retired, aged 80.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Joan,
Thanks for the kind comments. It is so pleasing that what is up on FAD is uplifting and remindful of good times past. Sadly the singular character that Durban had is now slowly ebbing away and new culture is taking over. However memories persist and it is good that they be recorded somewhere so that they are not completely forgotten. Many many families would window shop on Saturday and Sunday nights. Our family would park the car somewhere near the Polar Bar and head down West St as far as the Town Gardens. Then head back on the other side back to our “point of return”. At the Polar Bar we all had an ice cream cone and then with them in hand walked along Grey St to see what the Indian shops had to offer. It was something casual to do on weekend evenings, it got you out and the walk and talk was good for all. Here is a picture of the Polar Bar, actually a very old Durban building. It conjures up many memories.
Brian Hurt
I agree totally,did the same walk with my parents,girl friends then later my children,the Roxy T.Room bio scope was diagonally opposite the Polar bar the grey haired ticket taker with his white coat appeared to work their forever,opposite the Roxy the neon lights of the coffee shop showing an elephant treading on a monkeys tail ,all gone now,Polar bar is where I first tasted root beer.
Joan Mills
Gerald, That is a lovely photo as it shows that the road was still dual ! ! Which I think changed in the early 70’s but am not sure!
Even after I got married ( June, 1970 ) my husband & I use to sometimes go for a walk down West Street & then of course he always wanted to go to the St. Georges in the Albert Park area as that had been his old stamping ground.
I can remember going to Payne Bros for all sorts of goodies including going with my mother to buy the material for Westville Junior School as nobody else would stock it & my mother was one of the biggest instigators to giving the parents freedom to buy any school material & make the outfits or have dress makers make them as the costs in those days were astronomical ! !
Also in 1970 my engagement ring was bought from Greenacre’s jewellery Dept. as my then future mother-in-law was a buyer there so got a nice discount which her eldest son made use of ! ! Ha Ha I did NOT use her to buy the material for my going away outfit but that was also bought in there.
I can remember when Bon Marche was started, in the late 60’s shop Shelley Shop selling way out stuff including PAPER dresses ( I think I bought 2 long & 2 short ! ! )
There are so many lovely memories & to think how it is going down is so sad.
I keep on saying to my son ( just turned 45 ) that that is one thing literally nobody can take from you are those memories & every time I come to S A ( will be there in August/September this year ) I get so sad when I go to places & see the changes.
Once again THANK YOU literally to everyone especially you for sharing not only the words but also the pictures as I left South Africa almost 20 years ago being a widow of an evening it’s lovely scrolling through this!
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Joan
Thank you for the compliments. FAD does try to remember Durban as it was and I think most read all the posts with a certain amount of nostalgia. There is a lot to read and unfortunately some posts wander off the original topic but that is the nature of the beast.
I have had no response so far to your query which I took up on your behalf.
Graham Campbell
My wife Lorraine and I did the same walk, many times.Lovely picture Gerald. I think the coffee shop Brian is reffering to was in fact the Colombo Tea and Coffee works. When the whole block fronting West, Broad and Smith Street was redeveloped as ‘Broadwalk’ Colombo refused to sell so the developement was done around them.
As a young schoolgirl, Lorraine got here dad to take her into town to see Eric Egan who was broadcasting for Springbok Radio from the window of Payne Brothers. She was horrified by the old wrinkled face behind the warm radio voice, that whispered into the mic….I Love you..
Vernon Varty
Brian, I also remember the window-shopping walks, and I wonder if any readers are old enough to remember the centre-line down the main pavements, encouraging pedestrians to Keep Left. Apparently this was to promote a free flow of people. It was probably fine if you had the shop windows on your left, but if you were walking in the opposite direction and wanted to gawk, you would have to change lanes. There were truly some quaint rules and etiquettes back then.
Frank Beeton
Vernon, you indicated that you had some early involvement with Dickie Loader and the Blue Jeans? Could you please provide some details of the band’s personnel in the earliest days. When I first saw/heard them circa 1962 the members in addition to Dickie were Grahame Beggs (lead guitar), Don Christensen (bass) and Ray Boonzaaier (drums). Ray was replaced by Noel Glover soon after, and Grahame left for the Shangaans around 1964 or 65. He was replaced by Dave Pollecutt, returning after an earlier stint. Don was killed in a car accident and was replaced by Adriano Agrella on bass. Later Blue Jeans members included (I think) Howard Jones and Mike Slavin. By the mid-seventies when I took guitar lessons with Dickie, he was playing in a duo with his wife Carleen.
Vernon Varty
Good morning Frank … here’s what I sort of remember.
Up to the end of 1959 Dick played his own lead guitar parts, with Ian Wells piano, Ray Boonzaaier drums.
Then came his first Copperbelt tour, mid-1960. For this he had added Des Ray on tenor sax, and me on lead guitar.Ray had left the band by now, and we had Kenny van Rooyen on drums.
I subsequently left to join Toni Febb (6 nights per week, wonderful), and my great friend Dave Pollecutt took my place with Dick.
1961 … Toni got the Palm Grove (Margate) job so off I went with him, together with Des the sax-player. Somewhere around there was when Don joined Dick on bass. Ray had rejoined Dick, and Kenny had joined Toni at Margate. My first child was born down there so we wanted to leave to go back to Durban, but the agent would not release me from my contract unless I could provide an acceptable replacement.
1962 … I contacted Dave Pollecutt, who jumped at the chance to have 6 nights/week, and I was able to go back to Durban. Dave’s place with Dick was then filled by Graham Beggs. Somewhere in the ensuing years Dickie then got the Margate job, but with Noel Glover on drums. I lost track of things after all this (apart from hearing about Don’s tragic death).
1967 … Much water under the bridge later I rejoined Toni Febb for 6 nights/week in Durban, right at the time that Noel had left the Blue Jeans band, and he joined Toni and I at the Federal Hotel.
My memory is not detailed enough to pin things down much further, so this is the best I can retrieve … hope it is of some help to you. Any errors or omissions are my fault.
Warm regards
Vernon
Brian Hurt
Hi Vernon,
This won’t help,but Dickie was at school ( Mansfield High) in 1962,he worked the tuck shop at breaks,I was at Mansfield at that time,and I think he played weekends at the Mermaid Lido.
Rgds Brian
Vernon Varty
Hi Brian … that pretty much fits with my dim and distant memory. In fact, I was at Mansfield from 1951 to 1955, but only started playing music (guitar) in 1956/7. I seem to remember Dickie was 14 in 1960, they lived at Greyville, and he was an avid pigeon-racer. Much later, when he was starting to earn more money, the family moved to Rossburgh, but by then I had largely lost touch. Among some old photos of the Toni Febb Combo at Margate in 1961, I’ve just found one of Dickie singing with our band while he was on a weekend visit … good days indeed. I’m not on Facebook or Twitter , but I’ll happily e-mail or WhatsApp it to you if you like.
Vren
Hi Vernon. Vren here. I’d love to have copies of some/any photos of Dickie you may have from 1958-1963. Thanks.
Frank Beeton
Vernon, many thanks for those early memories of an iconic band!
Vernon Varty
Good morning Vren
My technology skill is not up to being able to put photos on to FAD. And as mentioned, I don’t do Facebook, Twitter, Instagram … all too new for me, so I don’t know how to send you the only photo I have.
If you want to leave a message on my landline it is in the Cape Town directory, Telkom 1026. Or just post an e-mail or WhatsApp address on FAD and I’ll send.
Cheers for now … Vernon
Vren
Hi Vernon. That would be great. My email address is:
vren.humphris@gmail.com
or Whatsapp 0784959769
Thanks. Have a good weekend.
Vren
Vernon Varty
Hello again Vren
It seems that Gerald has solved my uneducated problem, and the 1961 photo will appear on the FAD site. Although our band-leader Toni Febb was out of shot, the photo shows Richard Ian Loader (Dickie) at centre, with 2 former Blue Jeans players from 1960 … Des Ray on tenor saxophone, and me on guitar. Like many Durban musicians and friends, Dickie and others would occasionally come down from Durban to Margate, either for the day or sometimes for a weekend. Great fun. I hope it makes a useful addition to your collection.
Best wishes
Vernon
Here is the picture. I might add I have a picture of Dickie Loader by himself with 2 American Exchange Students taken at Margate in 1966. Gerald
Vren
A big THANK YOU Vernon.
Joan Mills
Hi Gerald
Thanks so much for trying to find out on my behalf.
I do appreciate & KNOW that it sometimes takes ages for anyone to come back to you with information ! !
I’m going through with that at the moment with KWV not replying to e-mails ! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr so frustrating but what can one do when a person lives so far away ! ! !
Once again Thanks
mark awerbuch
Hello again Gerald. I went to Google search, but with all the street name changes it’s hard to find you way around. There was/?is a block of flats corner Clark Rd and I think either Manning Rd or Essenwood Rd. Anyhow this road met with Berea Rd – a clue I hope. Trying to recall the name of the flats. I had a friend who lived there, Derek Dresner. His father built the block but I can’t remember the name. Best I can recall, it was named after the family ??Dres…something or other. Do you have any idea?
Thanks Gerald
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Mark
You don’t give me a clue as to the years we are talking about but I looked up Dresner in the 1965 Directory and there is S Dresner 7 Denhugh. Now Denhugh is on the corner of Manning and Moore Roads and Manning Road ran into Berea Road. I knew people in Willesden (corner Moore and Manning Road) which is on the opposite corner to Denhugh. On the opposite side of Denhugh would be the Manning Road Methodist Church. Denhugh appears to be a 4 storey building with 7 flats with the top one No. 7 to be a type of penthouse. I think this is the one you are looking for if not come back to me.
Brian Hurt
There is a Derek Dresner ,used to race boats,he lives just below Nazareth House not far from area under discussion.
Gerald Buttigieg
Thanks Brian. Sounds promising. Waiting for Mark now.
Brian Hurt
416 Clark Road Derek Dresner
Vernon Varty
Hello Gerald … I have just received a pop-up saying my subscription has been removed. Is this because I may have inadvertently pushed a wrong button, or for some other reason?
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Vernon,
I will forward this to Allan Jackson who is the site admin.
Vernon Varty
Thanks Gerald, I’d hate to be off the list.
Brian Hurt’s post re Clark Road gave me a memory jog. In the early 50’s my parents and my brother and sister and I sort of lived at Clark Road. It was a boarding house, number 46, called Casa Mia. Around this time my dad was playing in a band with Basil Metaxas. Years later I was playing in a band with would you believe the same Basil. And some time after that I played in my own band at the wedding of Basil’s beautiful daughter Debbie. Thanks Brian, for a reminder of some happy times with a much-loved musician.
mark awerbuch
Thanks again Gerald. Yes, it was Denhugh. I got it wrong – cnr Moore and Manning, not Clark. Derek was a character. After he and I lit a fire under Denhugh, my parents banned me from seeing him. As you know banning was very popular at the time.
Brian the boat racer sounds like the Derek Dresner I knew when I was 12 years old. He had a friend called Buzzy Jacobs. I recall he had an American accent, authentic I assume.
Hugh James
HUGH JAMES. In Facts About Durban you mention Derek Antrobus winning the Duzi. He was a Boy Scout with us at St Thomas, 4th Durban. The first intake for the ACF was much earlier than 1962. I went with the RDLI in 1958. A lot of our club rugby was played at Old Fort when I played for Pinetown captaining it for a bit, nogal!
Graham Campbell
I worked at Barclays Bank in Queen Street. There was a Derek Antrobus there and a periodic visitor, who used to work there was Colin Penn of Colin and the Pennants band. I’m sure others will remember him as he still plays the piano.
He told me a storey more recently when we met at a medical facility that at times he used to come to work staight from a gig and change out of his tuxedo in the ladies room so that the manager wouldn’t see his clothes.
Vernon Varty
To Joan Mills
Hello Joan … sorry for delayed reply to your question …your post seems to have located itself out of date order and I have only just found it. At the time you mention there were THREE Varty family members named Barry, all in Natal.
The senior one was Barry of Rietvlei, who died I think it was last year.
The middle one is my brother Barry, another musician, currently living at Hillcrest.
The third Barry was sales manager for Bosch Tools (Diesel Electric I think), and I remember him well because I played at his wedding reception. He later moved to the Transvaal, so I guess he is the one you’re talking about.
Joan Mills
Thank you Vernon for that information.
I left the Transvaal, Germiston, in February, 1988 to move back to Durban but Barry took our Cross Alsation/Chow as I was going into a flat in Durban & could have the little dog but not the big dog & Barry fell in love with him when he saw CHANG & said that he would be delighted to own him.
I heard that he had also moved back to Durban about a year later & often wondered where/what he had moved to & work wise as I never came across him in the following 10 years that I remained in South Africa. If you do happen to come across him, please give him my regards ( he helped me move my son’s goods all back to Durban – CRAIG was his name).
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Hugh
I think you were called up for the Commandos. That was a ballot system where as the ACF system required every white male to register for military training on turning 16. Thereafter if you were called up you had to apply for exemption for one or other of the available avenues such as a health condition, going to University etc. As far as I know the Commandos did camps but did not undertake 9 months continuous. If you did 9 months continuous it had to be January 1962 onwards because that was the first intake. During the 1960 Durban riots soldiers were called up but they were from local regiments such as RDLI, RNC and NMR and you may have been part of that.
Vernon Varty
Hello Hugh
I’m sure I remember you from back then. I was at 2nd Port Natal, Fynnland Sea Scouts, so that might have been the scouting connection, but in the back of my mind I seem also to remember you as a trumpet player … could easily be wrong of course.
Gerald actually explained the whole ACF date thing in a post dated 5 Jan 2016, when I was confused by the issue. I went to Potch in Jan 1956, but Gerald is way on top of the logistics if you would care to page back.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Hugh
Extracted from the internet : Conscription in the South African Defence Force: ………….
From 1952, all men of conscription age were balloted, about 30 000 men
annually, and a small number each year were called up. Initially these men were
liable to three months of training and three short camps each, which was for a short
time reduced to two months and camps only every other year. However, as the
perceived threats to South Africa grew, so the numbers of men called up and the
period for which they were required to serve increased commensurately. In 1957,
about 7 000 men were called up; by 1964, after Sharpeville, South Africa’s exit from
the Commonwealth and the UN non-mandatory arms embargo, this figure rose to
20 000. From 1961, the period of continuous training became nine months and the
CF requirements were increased to five camps totalling 90 days. According to Sass
‘by the early 60s … with few exceptions all ballotees were selected to attend
training’,and this finally led to the decision to call up all men for military service.
Hugh James
Hi Gerald,
Worst month of my life – up all night spitpolishing and all day left right-left right pronounced le wa le wa by St Ser Crumpton and Corporal Peter Slade. However the next month I went on a band course at Voortrekkerhoogte where I was treated as an officer and a gentleman!
Best
Hugh James
Hi Vernon,
I played in a gig with you with an organist from The Daily News. Do you remember his name. The drummer was Roy Cowden cousin to Barry Cowden head pre of Glenwood in 1956. I was with your younger boet also a Barry in Class 1 at Macdonald Infant Scool in 1945.
Best
Hugh James
Hi Gerald,
Nope! I was definately in the RDLI not the commandoes. My younger brother was in Pinetown Commandoes. In fact I played the trumpet in the military band for 2 years while at school and another 4 years there after. Shortly after the drill hall was burnt down. (not by me!)
Best
Hugh James
In “What happened in Durban 30/40 years ago you mention a Terence Flusk.
Any relation to Mike Flusk who was a welder in William James Engineers?
Hugh James
Also Mrs Dudley Andrews taught us “Strickly come dancing” in her studio in Smith Street in 1953. What fun! I can still remember the girls!
Hugh James
As well, I was in Vaughan Stones class at Glenwood. He was the driving force of the unfortunate underwater habitat off South Beach that sunk!
Vernon Varty
Hi Hugh
Could that organist have been a tough little guy named Baden Powell (named after who, I wonder)? I remember him because although he was only 5ft-nothing, he could load and unload his Hammond organ from the back of his bakkie all by himself.
And yes, I now remember you were on trumpet (Glenwood?) while my brother was on bugle (Mansfield). Maybe you motivated him, because he took up trumpet, went to England and joined the Royal Fusiliers, then came back to Durban to be a family man. He played trumpet in jazz bands till about 2 years ago. He has also completed 28 Comrades Marathons so he is much more famous than I could ever hope to be … the only thing I can run is a temperature.
I stopped playing gigs last year, age 80. Not because I was too old to play, but because of the lugging of all the equipment one now has to take to and from the gig … instruments, amplifiers, cables, accessories. Too heavy. In my next life maybe I can come back as a piccolo player.
Hugh James
Now that you mention it, your boet used to visit my work in Pinetown repping for Union Liquid Air, and told me about the Royal Fusilliers having his own batman to clean his gear! I have a class photo with him in it at about class1 or 2. Small world!
No the organist was not short who I would help carry his Hammond in and out the venues and also it was a cheaper organ. Once you and I played in a dark stage where I couldn’t read my music and couldn’t tap my lead light off your electric cable because of some earth problem. Do you remember Roy Cowden?
Marius Venter
I am surprised that so little is mentioned about the Gooderson Hotel group and their entertainment venues and performers in the early seventies In the early seventies the ‘Red Garter’ and the “crazy horse” were extremely well known establish lishments and very busy and well frequented, with great entertainers -Singers ,comedians, bands and dancers, including the superb Easter Dancer and Belly dancer “Elisheba” who did multiple performances at both ,especially at the Red Garter and also at the Lonsdale Pool Deck in 1972. But one hears little about the entertainment at these institutions. The Red Garter was quite up market. Perhaps it was an older crowd and they are all dead ?
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Marius
There are quite a few references to the Gooderson Hotels if you do a SEARCH. The site survives on input from those that want to relate their facts and memories so it is over to those that do want to share. On my side I try to raise matters of interest but it is pot luck whether there is any response to the subject.
Vernon Varty
Hello Marius
As a young aspiring musician I first met the Goodersons when they acquired the Cumberland Hotel. Mr Gooderson was very nice to the band, and when the company bought the Lonsdale Hotel he booked us to play there, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (big lounge on the 5th floor). Mr Gooderson’s elder son Alan was a very strict man. One of the receptionists was a British girl named Jean, and one late evening a very tired elderly couple booked in, wet and tired. Sympathetic Jean immediately offered them hot tea, compliments of the hotel. It appears that the next day Jean was almost fired. Apparently Alan was furious, and said to her “When people book in here you DO NOT see exhausted travellers, you see a bill for two cups of tea.”
Vernon Varty
Marius, I think that apart from the deadly serious dedicated professionals, musicians can be a very irreverent bunch. Another Gooderson-related experience I recall was when, out of immature devilment, I told Les Page our bass-player that the receptionist Jean was nuts about him. I remember following this up the following week by telling Jean that Les was absolutely crazy about her. I thought no more about it, and life went on. Around 30 years later, when I moved to Cape Town, I had a phone call from none other than Les himself, also living in Cape Town. We arranged to meet for coffee, and when Les introduced me to his wife I was astounded to find she was the same Jean from my light-hearted prank. I’ve always loved stories where “they all lived happily ever after.”
John Corlett
Hi Marcus
Our band “The Ian Wells Quartet” used to play 6 nights a week in the Golden Cage upstairs at the Killarney Hotel and Monday nights were always badly attended, but Alan Gooderson used to stand at the door just before midnight to make sure we were still playing, even if there was only one couple still snuggling in a corner!
Graham Campbell
Back on the music front. The drummer in the John Drake combo was Gene Kennedy. He had a sunglasses shop in Smith Street and was known as Mr. Rayban. I encountered a Dean Kennedy who is in the retail sunglasse business and discovered that he was Gene’s son. Gene passed away last year, looking much as he did in the 60’s
Vernon Varty
Graham, I saw your earlier comment about Neville Kerdachi who owned Associated Timbers, Edwin Sales VC Drive. I actually worked there until he closed that business … forget which year, but it would be early 80’s.
Vernon Varty
To Ivan Beal
Mick’s Pie Cart was THE place to go after midnight, and if our band had a music job not too far away we would head for the pie cart afterwards. One night there was a ruckus because a friend of mine, great guitar player Johnny McGregor, was refused service because he was apparently drunk and disorderly. He owned a 1949 Studebaker (on those cars the back looked almost the same as the front), and Johnny stormed off to his car. About 10 minutes later the whole pie cart began to jerk, inch by inch towards Aliwal Street. It turned out that McGregor was so angry at not being served that he reversed up to the kitchen-end of the cart, attached his tow chain, and tried to steal the whole cart. Isn’t it wonderful what a few drinks can do?
Graham Campbell
Hi Vernon,
I remember Micks pie cart and I’m sure everyone of our generation will do.
I also remember Johnny McGregor who did a gig playing for a company Xmas party at a venue in Toti where he did a memorable performance of a funny, about an Indian, claiming workmans compensation, for an injury that occured on a construction site. I have more recently been sent an equivalent called ‘Paddys Sick note’ by the Dubliners. ( I would share this if I new how)
Also, my brother in law, had a band called ‘Early Morning Rain’ in the seventies. He heard Johnny playing his Gibson ( I think ) and was so taken away with the sound, that he just had to have that guitar! which he bought from Johnny.He didn’t manage to make it sound quite as good as Johnny did. The last I heard was that JM was living at the Lion park in Ashburton
Vernon Varty
To Graham Campbell
You’ll probably get a lot of people sending the same message, but if not … Gert Smit’s stage name was Gene Rockwell.
Graham Campbell
Thanks Vernon. I did see other posts in this regard.
Graham Campbell
This is a follow on regarding the pub or bar as they were called in those days on the corner of Pine and Gardiner (which I thought was Pine and Field)
The other night, I woke up at about 3.00am (this sight is becoming addictive!) thinking about this bar, throwing all kinds of names into the hat and came up with…the ‘GLOBE’ a friend of mine that I consulted, Errol Williams confirmed my thinking, that it was the Globe! The consultation went further and we talked about the bar-man at the Stamford Hill Hotel by the name of ‘Manie Blow’ who used to carry a whole branch of bannanas onto the pitch for every Natal match. (The bannana Boys)
Vernon Varty
Hi Graham … me again.
The barman was Manie Bloem, and he had a special white suit for Durban City matches. As you say, the bananas together with their huge leaves were his match talisman for the Banana Boys.
When Manie worked at the Victoria Bar a couple of doors away from the Model Dairy, he had a trick to win bets against first-time visitors. I only know this because I watched it many times. He did it about once a week or so.
He would get friendly with the unsuspecting victim, to the point where he would suggest that he could take a pint out of the under-counter bar fridge, open it, pour it into a beer glass, and then drink all of it, WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BOTTLE OR THE GLASS WITH HIS HANDS. Once the bet was accepted he opened the fridge with his foot (easy), grabbed the neck of a bottle with his teeth and placed it upright on the counter (almost as easy), then he somehow levered off the crown cork without the bottle falling over (not so easy). and still holding with his teeth he would carefully pour the beer into the glass (not at all easy). Then he would open his huge mouth and put his lips right over the full glass, and tilt his head sideways. He then somehow swallowed without spilling till the glass was empty. The locals always looked on gleefully because they knew he would win his bet every time.
Graham Campbell
Hi Vernon,
My friend Errol, also said that Manie Blom was the barman at the Globe, but when I checked on the internet, it stated that he was the barman at the Stamford Hill and it related his drinking trick as well. Was he at both bars perhaps? You mention the Victoria bar. How does tht relate to the Globe?
Vernon Varty
Hi Graham, and thanks for the spelling correction (Blom not Bloem).
My dad was in the liquor trade for most of my growing up, so it was pretty normal for me to be in lots of bars.
In fact I had a wonderful early arithmetic lesson from him back when a pint in a pub cost 11 pence and I asked him how he so easily knew how much to ask the customer for when there were a number of pints in the round. He said Start with one shilling per pint, and subtract 1 penny for each beer, incredibly simple for an adult but mind-blowing knowledge for a kid in very junior school.
It was my dad who eventually introduced me to scores of his friends, including Mr Perks (of pie fame) and also to Manie Blom. Like my dad, I don’t think Manie was ever permanent in one pub so probably these barmen used to shift from pub to pub according to the wages offered. My dad was also a noted jazz musician, so he seemed to know EVERYBODY.
The Victoria Bar was almost opposite the main entrance to Durban Station, probably between Natal Radio and Model Dairy, opposite the main Post Office. The girl behind the milk-bar counter was Rhoda and we all fancied her but she had a big boyfriend named Brian.
Graeme
I thought the Vic bar was in the bottom end of Point road, near Smuggies??. Correct me if I am wrong please.
Vernon Varty
Maybe it depends on the year … early to mid-50’s for me, probably long before Smuggies. I do remember that the pub had green windows, with stylized advertising on, and that the bar counter faced the street. Victoria sits in my mind, and I have no memory of when it closed. But I’m always open to correction.
Gerald Buttigieg
Seeing we are talking Manie Blom era that would make it mid 60s. So here are the locations of the bars mentioned. Globe Hotel / Bar corner Field and Pine Streets. This was demolished when the new Daily News multi storey building was built. The Victoria Bar was at 34 Commercial Road and was next to the Blue Moon Restaurant. This was demolished to make way for the Commercial City building. The Victoria Bar was up from the Oxford Bio Cafe so a distance away from the station.
Vernon Varty
Ouch !!! Looks like I have my decades mixed up. No surprise, I can barely remember what I had for breakfast yesterday. I clearly remember the beer-betting, but 60’s it must have been. We went by train to Jhbg to watch the soccer final. Durban City were out of the race and Addington beat Southern Suburbs 5-2 … that would certainly have been early 60’s.
John Corlett
I remember a Victoria Bar near Smuggies that was in a corner building on the dock side of Point Rd. That was in the mid 80s and was quite up-market inside, dispite being in a dingy area. They served generous portions of large prawns and supplied buckets for finger bowls afterwards.
Joan Mills
I was about 17 max 18 when I was taken in a crowd of course to Smuggies & OH BOY was I in trouble the next day when my Father saw the stampp on my hand ! ! ! He was 33 years older than me & had only just a few years before that had gone in there with a few friends to see what it was like !
I had hysterics telling him & my Uncle Des ( Mom’s brother-in-law ) about our trip with a whole group of sailers ( Officers with a few navvies ) & there were about 5 – 7 girls ! First we went to that night club at then end of Umgeni Road & then on to Smugglers.
Barclays Bank in the mid to late 60’s use to organise a ” COCKTAIL HOUR ” @ that hotel at the end of Russell Street on the corner & as my friend was a teller she always use to be asked but wouldn’t always go if she couldn’t get a couple of us to back her up. They were such entertaining evenings as the boys always insisted on paying for everything if we told & took them to the SIGHTS OF DURBAN ! & we loved it as we got to see places we only heard about . This particular night one of the sailors was only turning I think it was 16 or maybe 17 & the rest of the officers had him motherless drunk & he got up on the stage & did a strip & the head bartender, female came on to the stage with her very very low cut blouse & massives boobs balancing 2 glasses of champagne on each boob to distract the attention that the youngster was causing & of course the bouncers came searching for the rest of the group when they found out he was under age & we were escorted out ! ! !
…
Graham Campbell
Hi John, Thanks.
That is the Victoria Bar Or ‘Vic’ bar that I remember.Fantastic portugese food. The building is still there but unused. I am still trying to get confirmation on the name of the bar on the corner of Pine and Gardiner. Globe vs Victoria ? I dont think there would be 2 bars called the Victoria.
Graham Campbell
Ok. Thanks Gerald. Nice to know that sometimes I am correct. i.e. Corner of Pine and Field and called the ‘Globe’
Vernon Varty
I’m getting a headache. Does anyone know the name of the bar at Pine/Gardiner Streets in 1957/8 ?? At that time I was a bus conductor (Durban’s only ever matriculated conductor as far as I know), and that pub’s name with the green windows doesn’t ring a bell other than Victoria. But as always, I am open to correction.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Vernon, I happen to have a 1957 Durban Directory as well so I checked corner Pine and Gardiner Street and there was a Victoria Bar and Cafe on the corner. The directory actually states AE Norman as the owner/ licensee. In the directory it states it was next to Tennison Burrows and the last building in Gardiner Street. In later years the corner was taken over by a distributor of musical instruments, drum sets , guitars etc. I do not have a photo of the bar but the location on the corner, the building being Poynton House.
Then here is a postcard of the Globe Hotel on the corner of Field and Pine street before it was demolished. The white building to the left was the Daily News Offices. Both of these were demolished to make way for the Daily News Building which today seems abandoned as the Daily News moved to Greyville.
Hope this clears your headache!
Joan Mills nee Brown
Next to this in Gardiner Street was the ARMY & NAVY store which sold anything tobacco related e.g. pipes, loose tobacco, cigarettes etc.. plus a few momentos that would mainly appeal to soldiers, sailors & the like & next to that was that open restaurant with the gym above it.
Like previously stated Army & Navy moved on ( can’t say when ) but the corner became the music store, the restaurant was greatly reduced in size but in the mid 70’s the gym was still there as I travelled 2 – 3 times a week all the way from Ethelbert Mews, Ethelbert Road, Malvern collecting a workmate in Rossburgh on the way & going to that gym. Due to having a 2 year old that I would have to drop off at my mother-in-law’s as his father wouldn’t look after him this only lasted about 3 months as the travelling & time invested was difficult with being a working mother.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Joan
I cannot recall the Army and Navy Store being in Gardiner St unless it was a post 1970s location. Tennison-Burrows was located next to the Model Dairy already in 1938 and it was a cigar/ cigarette/ tobacco/ newsagent of note in Durban as it distributed overseas magazines arriving with the mailships every fortnight. I have an idea it is still there. I checked on the Army and Navy Cigar Store and it was at 591 Point Road in 1957 and remained there till 1968. I recall the gym upstairs in Poynton House which was in full view of the Telegraphs Workshop directly opposite in the Post Office. Many a Telegraphs Technician would glance an eye over the gym to “check the talent” as they used to say!
Joan Mills
Hi Gerald,
It could have been mid – late 50’s I don’t think it was in the 60’s because I ‘m sure that Army & Navy were then in that round building c/o West & Point RDS that recently had a big fire on several floors.
Mostly I remember going with my Mother 2 do a BULK cigarette buy as she bought not only for her & my Dad but there was a crowd that would get together & due to my Mother’s contacts always got good prices until I started working @ Stanley Motors Soldiers Way in 1966/7 & then there was a lady there who organized the bulk buy. Hope this helps
Graham Campbell
Back to ‘Old Durban’
When I was a school-boy,using the municipal bus service, as did most scholars in those days, we inevitably left something on the bus.
Due to a different climate of honesty, when things were found on the bus by cleaners or conductors they were handed in and could be reclaimed at the ‘lost property office’ This was located in the basement of the City Hall, on the West street side.
In a similar vein, at the Durban Station there was a ‘left luggage department’ where if you were unable to move your luggage due to transport constraints, this could be checked in and collected at a later stage
Vernon Varty
Those were the days indeed. If someone left anything on a municipal bus, with identification in or on it, the normal response from the conductor was to get on the appropriate bus at the end of his shift, on his own time, and return the item to the noted address. My colleagues were especially proud if there were substantial amounts of cash involved. What helped in those days was that Running Staff (drivers and conductors) did not have to pay bus fares if they were in uniform. Unidentified items were indeed handed in at Lost Property. I, and my colleagues I’m sure, took great pride in doing this.
How do you like this? New staff were given free uniforms … 4 shirts, a tie, black cap with 2 detachable white covers for the hotter weather, a long raincoat, and to top all of this off we were given 2 pairs of trousers and a jacket … all TAILOR-MADE. There was a rota for replacement of shirts and trousers but I don’t remember the prescribed intervals.We of course had to provide our own shoes.
A station wagon would leave the A;ice Street bus sheds around 4 am each morning, follow a pre-determined route and collect all the early-morning crews. Getting me up at 4.15 for early dayshift was the bane of my mother’s life.
One of my biggest thrills was when a trolley arm (or 2) would come off from the overhead wires, causing the bus to come to a dead stop … my big moment … I would retrieve a long hooked pole from its holder under the bus, and to the admiration of all the onlookers I would have to capture the end of the trolley-arm with the hook, and then expertly pull or push or swing it so that I could easily (and expertly) re-locate it up onto the correct wire. Nobody ever applauded while I replaced the pole under the bus.
I eventually left home and the bus service around the age of 20.
Graham Campbell
I remember witnessing this many times, Vernon. Good old days.
Another aspect of school days bus travels was the school cases we all had on the bus, that had to be placed in the aisle, which necessitated other passengers having to walk over these to access seats or the exit. So, we had to get cases that were strong enough to withstand this ‘heavy’ traffic,so the brand of choice was ‘Globite’ made from a strong fibreboard rather than the standard ‘cardboard’
Graham Campbell
Hi Gerald,
I believe that the building deeper into the pic, with the dome, is the old municipal telephone exchange, prior to the takeover by Telkom. The building still exists. It has just been given a modern makeover with cladding.
Maybe one day it will be returned to its original look as they did with the Playhouse and Princes theatre complex.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Graham
The old telephone exchange building was demolished.
Vernon Varty
Thank you Gerald, for vindicating my Victoria Bar memories. Suddenly I don’t feel quite so senile.
Vernon Varty
So many things were better back in the 50’s and 60’s, but not everything. For instance:
1962 … My wife and I had returned from playing in the band at Margate. Our daughter was less than a year old and we decided to apply for a telephone. Durban had its own telephone exchange, but we had a flat at Mobeni because I got an admin job at Clairwood Hospital (beginning of Higginson Highway). This meant applying to the government service, which had no spare lines at Mobeni..
Still no phone by 1966 and we then moved to a flat near South Beach We now had to apply for the Corporation service, and our name naturally went to the bottom of their pile.
Still no phone by 1968, by which time we moved to a house at Woodlands. Back to the bottom of the list for a government phone.
Still no phone by 1970. A friend of mine had just become a Freemason, and he said he would see if there was anything he could do. A few weeks later he said I should give him a new application form. I told him that if I did so, I would be back at the bottom of the list, but he was insistent that something could be done.
I think that we had long resigned ourselves to the fact that we would never get a phone. But my Freemason friend said something would happen.
About a week later, on a Sunday morning, a man with what sounded to me like a Scottish accent knocked at our door, and said he had come to install our phone. At first I didn’t believe him, because every body knew that the telephone department did not work on Sundays. He showed me the works order and said it was a “red-liner.” I asked what a red-liner was and he said the works order had come straight from Pretoria. I have no idea whether this was truly due to my friend or not, but he happily claimed credit.
So we finally had a phone, after a wait of about nine years. Surely this must be some kind of world record for what was then pretty much a first-world country?
Brian Hurt
I owned the gym in poynton house from the mid eighties into the nineties,the change of demographics impacted the business,I sold but it did not last long and closed its doors,I was at junior school with the daughter of the owner of Tennison Burroughs in the 1950,s,it closed long ago.
Amanda Van Vuuren
25 Nov,
Hi there i happened to come across your site by accident. I find it very interesting and i’m wondering if anyone here might have newspaper/mag clips of Jody Wayne. He had his own television show at the age of 10 years in the former Rhodesia. He later settled here in SA starting in Durban when he won a talent competition in the 60’ts around the age of 12. He became the only Pop Sensation SA have ever had the privilledge of watching grow into a Pop Icon. His still going strong at the age of 75 years he dare not retire as his just not running out of talent. I’m working on a project to bring tribute to this S.A Treasure but unfortunately info regarding Jody Brandon Wayne is very little on google. I have walked behind him for the last 32 years could never put myself in his class. A Facebook group page Jody Wayne SA “Sir” Pop Sensation/Idol/Gifted Like No Other is the page that i run for him. If anyone can help in anyway please contact me via messenger of this page or email: makingwholeagain@gmail.com. Many many thanks. PS: Patches/Picture Of Patches/The Wedding/Tell Laura I Love Her/Ebony Eyes and many more hits are only a few on his success list over many decades. Kind Regards Amanda Van Vuuren…
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Amanda,
I do recall Jody Wayne from days when listening to the radio one heard him singing the songs you mention. He had a rather plaintive voice something like my favourite at the time Brenda Lee. I hope you get some response from people reading your post.
Paul Thiel
I must have been sleeping but I have just come across this site today (18th Dec 2019) and have seen so many names of people I new of. But all the “History” was fabulous and to be reminded of those great great days that we were privileged to have grown up in. Although I lived in Durban North which was miles away in those days and then moved to Innes road. Reading these stories made my night Thanks to all and keep it up.
Frank Beeton
With regard to Jody Wayne, AFAIK he is still performing in the Gauteng area. You can access the modern version of LM Radio on DSTV Channel 821, and they play a lot of local music from the 1960’s and 70’s, particularly Mark Williams’ show between 21h00 and 23h00 Monday-Thursday nights. Also Dennis East presents an interesting series on local music history on Friday nights in the same timeslot. LM Radio also hosts live music shows featuring the likes of Billy Forest, Peter Vee, Bobby Louw, Dickie Loader, Jody Wayne, Cindy Alter etc. etc., unfortunately all in the Gauteng area.
James Wood
Hi Gerald,
I am James Wood and just came across this article. I must say very, very interesting reading.
I staid in Durban all my school life and the first 5 years I worked for the Post Office (telecoms side) – now Telkom SA SOC Limited. I worked at Beach Exchange (if I recall correctly first in 36 and then ND) around 1978 to about 1981. Firstly I was actually part of the acceptance testing team of Beach ND with Rony Pate. I was close friends with Graeme Lyons and Louise Botha. Thereafter when Beach ND was finally accepted, commissioned and went live I reported to you as a maintenance pupil technician. In 1981 I was involuntary transferred to Pretoria HQ. There I worked up until Nov 2016 and then took an Enhanced Early Retirement Severance Package. Still living in Pretoria.
Joan Mills
Hi,
Just a little bit of curiosity but wondering if any of you Boys came across a man by the name of Jack Cupido [ was married but no children].
Can’t remember what his position was but if memory serves me correctly in the early- mid 70’s he was like 2 IC for Durban Exchanges. @ that stage he would have possibly been in his early 60’s.
I would dearly love to know what happened to him & his wife, Marie ?
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Joan,
Can do better than that because here is a group pic with Jack Cupido in it. Jack spent most of his working career at the Trunk Telephone Exchange in Pine Street. I met up with him in 1962 as a pupil technician and then was posted to the Trunk Exchange under him in 1966. A strange man if I recall and never spoke much about himself. He was forthright and called a spade a spade. Remember he had a MG Magnette (?) which he loved and one day he arrived at work huffing and puffing to put it very mildly as someone had broken his quarter window to clean out his cubby hole. I do recall him telling me that he was posted to the Trunk Exchange when it was being installed circa 1947. His wife Marie I think worked as a receptionist at one of the motor dealerships.
Jack is second row from back, second from left as you see it. Yours truly front extreme right as I set up my camera to take a “selfie”.
Joan Mills
Hi Gerald,
Thank U for that picture & information.
U are totally correct in that he had the MG & it was his pride & Joy ( seeing they had no children) . I would love to know if they are still in the land of the living??
His wife, Marie, was the MAIN in those days Switchboard operator for McCarthy Rodway, which became BMC which became Leyland & I think it was in this period she left but 2 my sister & myself they were Aunty Marie & Uncle Jack. I can’t tell U how old I was when I met her or when she started working there first with my father & then in 1952/3 my mother left Cash Wholesalers to take over the Records Dept.
I don’t know if U also came across my cousin in early – mid 70’s as he left the Police Force joined the exchange. His name is Kevin Stols. I don’t know if he was transferred to the Transvaal or what the story was because I was having my own problems plus my Dad had been desperately ill so I know it was prior 2 1979. As far as I know Kevin only left Telkom in the past maybe 10 years
Gerald Buttigieg
HI James
I do remember you and I think you were one of the group that were called the Diploma Group. Amongst them were Graeme Lyons, Rob Smith, Stuart Cross, Keith Spengler and Eckhart Freese. The first exchange I was involved with was Beach 37. Then came Beach 32 with Claude Topper in charge. Ronnie Pate was part of Auto Construction and they did the Acceptance Testing. Ronnie is deceased. I do not know what has happened to the building but I understand it has become offices now. Not sure about the equipment rooms which have all been scrapped and removed.
mark awerbuch
If it’s the same guy,the Jack Cupidor(pretty sure it had an ‘r’) I knew was a mate of my uncles, Sonny Tomson(father of Michael) and Chony Tomson(also called Ernie, father of Shaun). Not sure of Jack’s occupation but always thought he was an accountant. A member of my uncles’ poker school. Never saw him without a cigarette in his mouth. Another poker player in that school was Benny Katz(barber in CBD). I was a teenager at the time.
I was a med student at Groote Schuur between 66 and 71 when Chris Barnard transplanted and also broke a few hearts. Now I’m in the Land of Bushfires.
Not being pushy or anything, but some of you may be interested in my book which was published a few months ago.”Flight of Hope: a doctor’s fight for his right to personalised medicine”(Wakefield Press); available Amazon, Booktopia, Book Depository).
Joan Mills
Mark,
The name was spelt CUPIDO, & U are correct in saying he was part of the POKER school!!!! & when they were a “ MAN “ down is when my mother would be asked to step in!
Jack, Marie & my mother [ Freda Brown] were all the same! Totally lost without their cigarettes fortunately my Dad wasn’t as bad as the other 3!
Well there I opened another can 😁
Funny enough I can’t remember if it was last Aug 2019 or Dec2017 when I was visiting SA ( left in 1999 a month after my mother died ) my sister & I were talking about Jack & Marie wondering if they were still alive?
Judith King
To Mark Awerbuch: Although I was born in 1959, my family lived at 32 Newhaven Road, which runs between South Ridge and Chelmsford Road / Moore and Clark Roads since 1954. My eldest brother Julian King was about two years old then, and my second brother David King was born in 1956. If I remember correctly, your house was beautiful and had a tennis court – I went once with brothers and mutual friends of yours who played there one afternoon. We walked there along a private servitude running from the back of our house to the front of yours.
As you say, when that house was sold and demolished, the huge apartment building ‘Inverness’ was built on the site. At the time, developers were soliciting all owners of the houses along the Ridge, and in our road too, to sell so that they could use the land to build more apartment blocks. My parents resisted selling and I think my mother spoke to your folks about their reasons for selling; she respected your late father very much and would have wanted to factor in his opinion when forming a decision. One afternoon, my mom was watering the garden and a man who had recently bought the property next door to us (and, as it turned out, was in partnership with these developers), was harassing her over the hedge to sell our house to them. She’d already told them many times that the house was not for sale, but he went on and on, so she calmly and quietly raised the hosepipe and drenched him with it.
Now for some weird coincidences:
In 1995 I met the man I would marry the following year, and it turned out that his family had lived in Inverness for some years during the 70s. It was odd to think that he would have had a full overhead view of me, a very shy teenager, swimming in our pool …
I went to high school at Carmel College, the Jewish Day School in Glenmore. Paul Tomson, Shaun’s younger brother, was in my class. For obvious reasons, he was one of the cool guys, so I was mortified when one day he started calling me “Count Yorga the Vampire” because I had a chipped tooth for a few weeks. He was going out with a gorgeous girl in our class called Laura Port who had a dazzling smile.
Fast-forward to 2016; my husband had died the year before and I became close friends with a member of my shul – Michael Alper. He was related via his mom’s side (Shirley Katz) to Benny Katz the barber. He told me that the barber-shop slogan was something like: “Don’t let your hair go to the dogs – go to the Katz’s”. Michael was an original co-owner of RJ’s Steakhouses.
I haven’t read your books but have read articles about them, and am in awe of your courage, resilience and determination to advocate for the power of one’s own intuition to confront ill health, and also of your wife’s devoted support. What a legacy you have both created for millions to emulate. May all your days be blessed.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Mark
Quite right now that you mention it he was big mates with the Tomsons. Jack and it was Cupido (no “r” ) was a telephone exchange technician. When I met up with him he was then a Senior Technician. Jack was quite bristly if I can put it that way and I think his nature inhibited his progression through the ranks. True about the smoking and in later years I think it took its toll. Tall thin lanky his wardrobe was constant; grey stove pipes, white shirt; leather ox blood polished shoes. In later years he was promoted to Chef Technician and in those days it was “proper” for all Chief Techs to wear a tie unless you wore a safari suit. This picture was taken of all the Chief / Control Technicians and Engineers concerned with Switching Exchanges in Durban in 1980. Quite a unique photo!
Joan Mills
Hi Gerald,
It wasn’t his nature to look for promotion as him & Marie were not into that but I can tell you from conversations that he didn’t want to be a boss & the 2 of them only wanted enough money for their lifestyle of which the most flamboyant part was every MAY, they religiously went 2 the Drakensberg for 4 weeks!! We use to continuously ask if they didn’t get bored going 2 the same place & their reply was always the same. They enjoyed it away from all the stress of Durban .
Just another little curiosity note the reason why they moved from I think it was Mazeppa St was because of the MG being broken into !
mark awerbuch
Gerald that’s the same Jack Cupido I met at my uncles’ poker games, but he looks a lot younger in your photograph. I KNOW it’s the same guy because I met Marie his wife. Glad to see he doesn’t have a ciggie in his mouth in the photograph.
James Wood
Hi Gerald,
I must say your memory is amazing. Yes I was part of that Diploma Group. Eckhart was transferred to HO- Pretoria the same time as me.
I was mistaken about the “36” exchange it was “37” with Claude Topper. Do you recall Eric Coates from “37”. He ended up in Pretoria as well. When the NNOC (National Networks Operations Centre) opened in Techno- Park, Pretoria he was stationed there as Senior Manager responsible for the EWSD (Siemens first digital electronic switching system) national operations. EWSD replaced all the EMD exchanges country wide, of which most of them were unmanned and monitored from the NNOC. They all had hot standby in-case of any failures and a technician would go out two or three times a week to replace any faulty modules. After the EWSD technology Siemens launched the Soft Switch of which Telkom implemented.
The technology advancement is absolutely amazing. In fact “voice” switching is now a thing of the past and they now have “Packet Switching” which includes Data (VoIP), being “Voice over Internet Protocol”. Sorry got a bit side tracked.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi James
Just to correct you. I was in charge of Beach 37 from its commissioning in 1975. Once Beach 37 was built Siemens started with Beach 32 another 10000 line EMD and on completion Claude Topper was put in charge. I was moved to the 5th and 6th floor of the Beach Complex round about 1980 when the Dept decided that the situation at the time needed another trunk exchange as the Trunk Exchange (DPS) in Pine Street if taken out, would leave Durban telecoms at risk. Beach ND (DBH) was then started and eventually was the largest Siemens Exchange installation in South Africa. 10 years later EWSD came in and the exchange virtually with all the others became redundant. I remember Eric Coates well having mentored him as a pupil technician and went to his wedding. Sadly he passed away about 2 years ago at a relatively young age.
Vernon Varty
Hello Gerald
I’m often told “getting old is not for sissies.” No doubt getting old is the reason why I hastily clicked ‘unsubscribe’ instead of ‘read more’ and I hope I can be re-instated.
Apologies for my oops.
Many thanks
Vernon
Gerald Buttigieg
Vernon
I am not sure how to subscribe you so direct your request to Allan via a CONTACT US.
Dave Ohearns
Off topic
Hi Gerald, I remember you well from the 70’s and 80’s at the Beach. I was on the first floor next to the test room and ran the small customer services section. I took over from Wade Williams on his promotion. You may remember names such as Dave Malloney, Jimmy Osborne, Pieter Labuschagne and Mike Hussey, possibly not me Dave O’Hearns but I was there from 76 to about 85 when I moved to head up the BTS section with Dave Wood ( you must remeber him from SATA ) and Keith Brink.
Just thought I would say hello.
Allan Jackson
Hi Dave
I vaguely remember the name but cannot put a face to it but no doubt we were in contact somehow at Beach. I remember Wade Williams well at Beach I think he was Senior Tech and then took a transfer to Ladysmith where he became Chief. Peter Labuschagne I still see at Bestmed Roadshows and Dave Wood I hear has passed away. He was very into the old SATA organisation a very toothless trade union if ever there was one. Dave was ex Corporation and recall he worked under me for a while when I was in charge at Kloof CSC. Keith Brink ended up as a Manager on Customer Services I think in Bloemfontein. I am not sure what has happened to the Beach complex these days as I understand all the exchanges have been removed so there must be a lot of floor space available. No doubt the equipment rooms have been turned into smaller offices. Not only Beach, but there are many exchange buildings all over Durban standing empty. The only property I know that was sold was the old Congella Exchange which became a nursery school.
Keep well and take care
Gerald Buttigieg
Vernon Varty
Great … done, with big thanks.
James Wood
Hi Gerald,
I am most probably confused about 32 and 37, but in any even it was the one in which Eric Coates worked, as he mentored me when I was a pupil tech there. Thereafter I was placed as part of the acceptance testing team of Beach ND. After qualifying as a technician I was placed at Pine Street ND. Shortly thereafter I applied for a transfer to beach ND, which was approved and I was placed at Beach ND. I still recall that before you could drive a Department vehicle you had to go for a test drive. You still tested me and I remember I had to go for a test drive around some city streets. I was extremely nervous. I wasn’t at Beach ND very long where after I was transferred to Pretoria together with Eckhart Freese. In Pretoria I was assigned to the Resident Inspectorate Section of the Dept stationed at the Siemens Factory in Watloo (just east of Pretoria – Silverton). While there I studied further – B.Com (UNISA), and after obtaining my degree I was appointed as Manager: Procurement Services. Can you believe it that the major contract I was allocated to manage was Siemens. I am going down to Durban in March 2020 for a 45 years Grosvenor Boys School re-union and will definitely look up Graham Lyons (we are actually still occasionally in contact) and Stewart Cross. I remember Stewart was a big motorbike fanatic of which we had the same common interest. I believe Graham has also retired. I must say your articles and the correspondence between the numerous respondents has really been interesting and brings back so many memories. So many names have been mentioned which I recall having come across while working in Durban. What actually happened with all Telkom Properties and Fleet is that Telkom in line with modern business practices decided to outsource all of its non-core business (properties maintenance and fleet). All properties are managed by Telkom Facilities Management and the vehicle fleet was taken over by Debis (recently taken over by BidVest). Telkom then leases from them. Can you believe Telkom/ Post Office: Dept of Telecoms has gone from 65,000, when the staff compliment peaked, to a figure of now 10,000. They are currently going through another round of staff reduction, hoping to bring it down to 8,000. Absolutely frightening. I have quite a few old photo’s of Durban which I would like to post, if it is acceptable to you. I realise that your article relates to “Durban 50/40 years ago”, and Beach Exchange was a sub-article of Durban so I will limit my correspondence to “Durban 50/40 years ago”. I realise and do apologise that I have side tracked from the original topic. All those living in Durban, enjoy it. It’s still my home town and in my blood.
Joan Mills
Hi James
Off the track a bit but U said that U were going 2 a Reunion @ Grosvenor Boys 45 years. Did you come across a teacher by the name of DES BARNARD???
Vernon Varty
Resubscribing to thread
James Wood
Hi Joan,
The five years (1971 to 1975) I was there I do not recall a teacher by the name of DES BARNARD.
Do you happen to know what subject/s he taught?
Joan Mills
Hi James I know he went back 2 Varsity after a number of years 2 get his major in Art but before that I really can’t remember but I will ask my sister & my cousin as I’m Sure KEVIN STOLS was there around that time.
Gavin Hillyard
Gavin Hillyard. So interesting to read all the posts from that time. Our family lived in Gilletts early to mid 60s and matriculated from Kloof High in 1966. I vividly remember all the old haunts – Smuggies, Blue Waters and many other places like the El Castilian and The Cookie look where bands played. It was a time when music was music and we loved it. Been living in Somerset West since 1978 but have returned to Durban over the years for business and school reunions. Also played in stacks of amateur bands over the years – rhythm, lead and bass and vocals and occasionally as a session musician. As they say, musicians never die – their instruments just stop working? Thanks
Vic Singh
Very surprised that the author of this article refers to Indians as “slaves”, surprised that Indian commentators like Mr. Woodley did not react to this statement. Indians were indentured labourers that were brought in by the British Dutch East India Company to work as indentured labourers in the sugarcane industry. I was born in 1962 in Durban South Africa, the year that President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned by the apartheid government for his role in the African national Congress. When I look back in South Africa I look at all the lost opportunities that the white people had to save the country from racial segregation and discrimination. Look at the country now, whites are so desperate to leave South Africa. Thank God that the country peacefully transitioned into a non racial democracy and did not end up in a bloody civil war. I was the son of an Indian “slave” and proud South African. My greatest memory of SA was meeting Nelson Mandela. My wife and I are both lawyers living in Canada and never regret leaving SA 20 years ago. God bless Africa
Allan Jackson
Hi Vic
You’re perfectly correct that indentured labourers formed the core of Durban’s Indian community. However, the Zanzibaris were people who had been rescued from the slave trade by the navy and originally settled on the Bluff.
Keith Titmuss
Hello all…….Can anyone remember the name of the restaurant situated at the Blue Lagoon during the 70’s? It was towards where the pier is on the south bank of the river
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Keith
I do remember the Blue Lagoon Tea Room and an adjoining “hall” where Gene Rockwell performed. I searched my Durban Directory and the only restaurant I could find was The Intermezzo.
Keith Titmuss
Many thanks Gerald…..
Rodney Coyne
There was also The Dolls House a little further upstream from the river mouth, next to the model boat ponds.
Vernon Varty
Hello Gerald
With all the hoo-hah surrounding the current alcohol laws here, some of your readers might find the 1956 laws interesting (that’s when I worked at the Sydenham Bottle Store prior to going for my army call-up).
White people were allowed unlimited access to all their favourite booze.
Black people could not buy any alcohol at all.
Indians (males only) could only drink at Indian Bars,but could not buy at bottle stores.
Coloured males could buy once per week on a card-control system, and were limited to 1 spirit and 2 malt … the most common order was 1 x 26oz (750ml) Cane Spirit and 2 quarts of Castle Stout.
There was 1 exception … doctors could buy 4 bottles of brandy per month for “medicinal purposes.”
All these years later I still find this food for thought.
Joan Mills
Hi Vernon,
We had a maid called Katie, & she loved her nip of BRANDY ! !
& like you say because of being an African if she got caught with it landed up in jail on several occasions.
My Dad would then get a phone call from the police station asking if he knew her & of course Dad would then go & bail her out..
She was a fantastic person & both my sister & I thought she was just the goods ( My parents as well ) & were very disappointed & sad when her husband pitched up on our doorstep after she had left our employ as she didn’t like our house at Westville so gave up work to tell us that she had died! My folks were so angry with him that he never bothered to let them even know that she was ill..
Thinking of those times also BOX WINE ?? Lieberstein…
Until in my late 20’s I was a ” CANE FOR THE PAIN ” drinker
Kitty Hooey
I remember Gene Rockwell. He lived in Clark Road, when I lived in Moore Road.
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
I worked as a receptionist at the Blue Waters Hotel 1968/69 run by Colin Goldberg, owned by Mr Jiran.
SANDIE SHAW stayed one night! She used my hairdrier that night. I RAN TO Marine Towers to get it! I lived in 301with sisters Avril & Brenda
And dressmaker Mom Daphne.
Sol Kerzner also lived in Marine Towers and owned a night club in Point Road.
Kitty Hooey
I remember FRANCOIS HARDY performing at the Durban City Hall – 1967 I think it was. She was great. I also saw RICHARD CLAYDERAN at the Durban City Hall – no stage personality but fantastic pianist. Have no idea which hotels they stayed in. I remember Colin Goldberg – we were on the “Africa” in a group sailing Durban-Cape Town – Durban celebrating our Matric. That was January 1965! Such wonderful memories from “a previous life”.
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
MARINE TOWERS. DURBAN BEACHFRONT.
Sol Harris Cresent near the police flats
We stayed in 301 The Watsons, my family.
My sister Avril married Alan Beard (ex Zambia
Beard family on 1st floor.
I married Terrence Tebbutt from the 6th floor!
Us, 3 girls went to Northlands Girls High.
I went to Natal Art School, opp Alambra Theatre. for Std 9 & 10. Friend Sally Barnard.
Previous lived in Durban North. 39e Umhlanga Rocks Drive opp. Swimming pool, Kenny was lifeguard. Friend Yvonne Bedford from Lady Fatima school.
Kitty Hooey
Personal names I do not recognise, but SO lovely to read the names of the Durban places.
I went to Marist Stella + St Joseph’s + Durban Girls High + Technical College. Left Durban for good in 1984.
Still keep in touch with many wonderful South African friends and now live in the UK.
Joan Mills
Hi Kitty,
What year were you at The Tech ??
Were you in the section that wore an actual uniform or the other side ?
Whenever I think back to those days one of the first things that I remember is the English teacher MRS COOK, poor old dear was eventually forced into retirement as a lesson with her was a farce as she would keep on nodding off & then going to the Library there above the canteen the class would all disappear in different directions & she would get quite flustered.
I think the Afrikaans teacher was Mrs. van Onselen…. couldn’t stand her & what a ……. When our results came out what did she do but phone my mother to give her my results & was disgusted that I passed with 2 or 3 distinctions & my lowest mark was Afrikaans somewhere in the 40’s.
Also the bookkeeping teacher always use to wear skin tight skirts/dresses & was a big heavy woman & quite often the back seam would have split!
I just love going down memory lane & when I go out to S A ( roughly every 18 months ) meet up with several old friends.
Some of the places have changed a LOT but we normally meet up at MITCHELL PARK & because of how much money is spent they just leave us alone as we are there for several hours. During my 6 – 8 weeks in S A I’m normally at Mitchell Park on at least 2 if not 3 different occasions as I meet different groups when it’s suitable for them but fortunately the one friend from 1963 has now retired so we will be able to meet up during the week instead of a Saturday. Sunday is reserved for the market at Golden Hours Durban North… Fantastic gelling time there listening to the Music & meeting up with people as well as shopping.
Where I live ( Cobh – pronounced as COVE is the village/town on GREAT ISLAND which is in the Cork Harbour & there are loads of ex South Africans living here. So many have moved here since we came 21 years ago. Wouldn’t live anywhere else…( Last port of call for the Titanic ! )
Kitty Hooey
Dear Joan
I was in the Uniform section of The Tech – Commercial High School. I had failed matric in 1964 at Durban Girls High where it was academic, and then did my Stds 8+9+10 for my commercial matric in 1965 & 1966. It was so much easier so I passed! What years were you at Tech – uniform side or other side??
Since leaving Durban in 1981 I have not returned often. One of the few occasions I did return was in in 2014 – twice in fact – for my husband’s and my 50th Matric reunions – Kearsney College and DGHS. The class of 1964! It was a surreal experience. I had not seen the “girls” since 1964!
I returned to Cape Town in 2018 for the first time in 20 years!
I was in Cobh in 1998 visiting a friend in Cork and she took me for a wonderful drive. I love the bronze statue on the wharf of the young girl holding her young brother by the hand and looking towards New York.
Since leaving Durban in 1981 we have living in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Sydney, Singapore, and have now settled in Berkshire, UK. We are very happy here.
Nice chatting. Regards : Kitty.
Joan Mills
Hi Kitty,
Like you I was in the uniform part of the Tech having transferred from Westville High School.
I don’t know if you played any sport but I was in the Hockey team & that to me was the best part of the Tech ! !
From Class 1 I had hated school so when I discovered that to become a Domestic Science Instructor it was about 3 years doing it through the Tech whereas by doing it the Academic way it would mean Varsity & 5 years hence my changing schools plus we had moved from Westville to town then my Mom found a maisonette in Umbilo that was suitable for our needs & much more convenient for her & my Dad for work plus giving my sister & myself the freedom of being able to go out without having to be chauffeured every where.
The Head Mistress of the Natal Technical College if my memory serves me right was a MISS FOLEY ?
Loving going down memory lane
Glad you enjoyed your visit to Cobh & saw Annie Moore & her 2 brothers – they were the 1st people to be processed through Ellis Island
Keep well
Regards
Joan Mills nee Brown
.
Kitty Hooey
Gosh you have an amazing memory of names. Miss Foley does ring a bell, but I cannot put a face to her name. What year did you matriculate? Was Westville still co-ed when you left there?
No I did not play hockey – I swam when I was at DGHS.
Annie Moore – yes that is right she was also carrying her baby brother in her arms. Such a beautiful statue. I visited both Ellis Island and Botany Bay – thus completing the triangle I had started when visiting Cobh.
Keep safe. Kind regards : Kitty Hooey nee Douwes.
Joan Mills
Hi Kitty
I walked out of school in Std 9 that is I think 1964 or it could have been 1965 I would have to look for my school reports to make sure.
I had a very hard time with that Afrikaans teacher to the degree that not only did my Mother have to intervene but so did Miss Foley !!!
My last year at Westville was the last year it was Co-Ed as by then the Girls School had been built down the road from the Junior School now called a Secondary School ! Was there for their 40th Re-Union but unfortunately after that had changed my e-mail as HOTMAIL gave me such grief that I didn’t think to notify them of the new e-mail address so missed out on the 50th & 60th anniversaries. Was sad at the 40th as there wasn’t a soul there that I knew except when some chap came up to me & started chatting me up & it came out that I remembered his sisters ! !
Have since chatted to a few of the others especially on FB but unfortunately I broke my right wrist just over 3 years ago 3 times in about 3 months ! ! ! So I’m not keen on getting onto the pages as I find I just keep on going on & on Just can’t stop myself ! !
Was getting ready to go to bed almost 2 hours ago as last night was the 2nd night of NO SLEEP but just couldn’t shut this down ! !
Keep well & stay safe & COVID free
Regards
Joan
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
I went to Northlands girls high std 6 7 and 8.
9 and 10 at art college. Natal tech.
Does anyone know Sally Williams Barnard
From Berea?
I also remember Jillian Lewis 1 of 5 kids
Primrose Eaton was over the road.
All near the Durban North Swimming pool.
My sisters Brenda and Avril watson.,!!
All Northlands Girls……….I am 70 now!!
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
Durban North Beach where Watsons lived.
David Payne, then a jockey I guess used to pop in to see our boarder Hetty Gradwell as he knew her. TIGER WRIGHT was a friend of my Mother
Daphne Watson, so I went to Greyville horse races often. I loved the horseracing at Greyville
Hetty went on to date or marry a German hairdresser of Salon Mayfair fame
.Durban…..I believe.
I left Durban in 1981 for Johannesburg.
Kitty Hooey
I used to go to The Durban July and later years The Gold Cup. No betting – just enjoying the atmosphere and the horses and the dressing up. I remember David Payne, Tiger Wright. Coincidentally I now live opposite Ascot Race Course here in Berkshire, UK. I been to Ladies Day a couple of times. All such fun.
Cheryl Watson Tebbutt
Kitty Hi there,
I live in South London
Gerald Buttigieg
Cheryl Tebbutt Kitty Hooey
Do you girls have class photos to put up here? If so, reply and I will contact you via email.
Kitty Hooey
Yes I have photos. Please send me your email.
Frank Beeton
Someone has tried to contact me with regard to the fate of Gary Hocking’s Lotus 24 racing car after its crash at Westmead in 1962. Unfortunately I have lost the message, so if the sender reads this, please contact me again so that I can fill in the details that I can remember.
Kitty Hooey
CHERYL WATSON TEBBUTT : Where in South London do you live? Hopefully next year I’ll be taking train into Waterloo again. I volunteer in an office 2 Thursdays a month in Blackfriars. We could meet up for a drink in the summer.
Tim Ross
Thanks for this website. I love hearing about Durban in the 60’s/70’s which were really amazing times never to be repeated. Really nostalgic. Places I loved mainly for the great music included Cookie Look, the Bullring at the bottom of West Street and listening to the Flames the Indian band which played at the Esplanade Hotel. (apparently they became very friendly with the Roling Stones!) Also do you know that Graeme Beggs the lead guitarist with Dickie Loader went to England to join Manfred Mann but ended up getting the franchise for Abba in SA. He did extremely well and now lives in the Seychelles. Demetrius (Jimmy) Thompson the brother of George Thompson the SA surfer played keyboard with Freedom’s Children another great band. He now lives in Los Vegas. I stayed at the Landsdown (known as the “pants down”) Hotel which was across the road from the DHS top fields and conveniently close to the Los Angeles hotel. Does anyone know what happened to the children of the hotel’s owner Martin and Laurel Reed and any others that stayed there during that time. I did hear that Martin emigrated to the Greek Islands. I subsequently heard that their father who was a real tyrant worked as a journalist for the London Times before the war in Austria and Germany and then became a very controversial but world recognised author. I never got round to reading any of his books.
cheryl watson tebbutt
Kitty Hooey
I live in South East London. SE25. I spoke to Denise McArthur
(Gibson) this week, we were at Chelsea Drive School together where Mr Ian Gaitskill taught me in Std. 5. Denise and I shared a surfboard near the TOWER, South Beach where we surfed (tried to) but lived in DURBAN NORTH. I remember Shirley Currie, in fact I saw GARNET Currie on Earls Court Station. London, years ago. He had just emigrated to the UK and stayed in Surrey . I was house model at Greenacres for a short while (1966). Lesley Schroon was my modelling teacher. I remember Lynne, a great model.
Danny Moodley
Yes that school is now called Chelsea Prep its in Chelsea Drive ,Durban North,.
Keith Titmuss
Hello all. I am hoping someone can help me with a question from an old friend. “SESSIONS” as they were called in the sixties at St Cyprians . Can any one remember the band that usually played there ? Its a long tie ago and I just cannot remember.
Thanks,
Keith
Cheryl Tebbutt
Keith
I am 70 and I went to many SESSIONS at Jour neys End Hall in Durban North. The band was Rowan…..Rasmussen. ….ALSO OH GOSH,!
Mervyn Gershanov, Robbie Pavid… had a band.
It was 2 shillings and 6 pence to get in. And still
Teenagers climbed in the window. I USED TO GO WITH YVONNE BEDFORD from Lady Farida convent. She now lives in Kloof .
Kitty Hooey
Where was St Cyprians? I remember the name but cannot remember where it was.
I did go to Journey’s End SESSIONS. Mervyn passed away 2019. His sister Wendy Shapiro lives in CT.
I also went to Red Dusters – bottom of Moore Road – and Sherwood Hall.
I am 74 and grew up in Durban and am now living in Ascot, Berkshire, UK.
Keith Titmuss
Hello Cheryl
Thank you for your reply…..I am 76….and my best times were in the sixties . Yes…Mervyn and Robbie Pavid were top notch musos ….my question is about St Cyprians in Umbilo road …..SESSIONS. If you mentioned that to kids today they would not know what ti was like in our young days
Best wishes
Keith
Kitty Hooey
Now I remember St Cyprians in Umbilo. They were particularly FUN.
Keith Titmuss
Hello Kitty
Thank you for your reply
.yes….Umbilo road. Does Howard Carpendale ring qa bell ? Just guessing
Thank you for your reply
Keith
Keith Titmuss
We are from the Bluff and been in Coventry since December 2000
Gerald Buttigieg
Just to clarify where St Cyprian’s was in relation to Umbilo. It was at the one end of Payne Road. I’d say from the entrance of the church you could see Umbilo Road and Theo’s Cafe.
Kitty Hooey
HOWARD CARPENDALE certainly rings a bell. DPHS & DGH boy. Suave guy – fancied himself a little. Made a good name for himself in Germany I believe.
Graham Campbell
Howard Carpendale. I have recently become a fan (addicted) to you tube music videos and have become a major fan of Helene Fisher.(a German award winning singer) have seen her perform with Howard Carpendale. She is an absolutely great performer as well as stunningly beautiful. Do yourselves a favour and look her up on you tube
Kitty Hooey
Bernard Shapiro says this: One of the coolest bands in Durban in the 1960’s was Lee Man Ltd. Played at the Macarbre Club and Tiles. Formed in 1965 : Nic Dokter (drums), Kenny Henson (lead guitar), Johnny Schmook (bass), Jimmy Thomopoulos (keyboard) and Richard the singer.
Bernard still friendly with Spider Murch who played bass with Danny and The Showmen.
What a blast from the past.
Cheryl Tebbutt
Gosh .Kitty I know all those names. U are right about Howard Carpendale….Loved live bands.
Kitty Hooey
We had a happy and exciting time in Durban in the 60’s.
Kitty Hooey
What about Dickie Loader and The Blue Jeans??? Gene Rockwell ??
Kitty Hooey
Those were the days …………
Kitty Hooey
What about Cookie Look, The Bullring, …………….
Kitty Hooey
I am trying to trace someone in the Durban Players Guild re Passion Play. I sent an email but have had no reply.
Date: 15 February 2021 at 21:52:14 GMT
To: Durban Catholic Players Guild
Could someone help me please. Many thanks.
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Kitty
I know of someone who was pretty involved with recent Passion Plays. Rather are you trying to contact someone connected with past Passion Plays? I am in contact with Patrick Homan who played in the Passion Plays in the 60s.
Kitty Hooey
not trace : CONTACT.
Kitty Hooey
Gosh – I remember Patrick Homan very well. I think he was head boy of Marist in my time. And we were in Passion Play at the same time too – although I was in the crowds and he was a Roman soldier.
I believe Passion Players Guild or Durban Players Guild have been given a club house at Marianhill Monastery. I have 2 photos and a crucifix dating back to the Passion Play in 1962-1978 which I would like to donate to the new club house as a hanging on the wall.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
Kitty Hooey
How do I get friends to register with this club please?
Frank Beeton
Howard Carpendale’s band was called the Kinsmen, and the personnel included Barry Cline, Glen Turrell and Mike Slavin. Barry Cline later played bass with the Gonks, who were the Durban North band under discussion. Other personnel included Craig Ross (vocals), Peter Gilder (drums), Howard Schachat (rhythm guitar) and Mervyn Gershanov (lead guitar). Mike Slavin later played lead guitar for Dickie Loader’s Blue Jeans.
Kitty Hooey
Such amazing memories. WOW.
Bianca Lawrence
This is a very sad story but I can find nothing anywhere on the internet. i’m not even sure of my facts but perhaps this might jog someone’s memory. Sometime between 1969 and 1974 there was a christmas show at St Luke’s church in Glenashley. Tragically 3 schoolchildren were killed when a wall fell on them at the show. I think one of the children was Patricia Swart, another may have been a Mark or Martin. They were pupils at Glenashley Primary School.