A while ago I received an email from Marek Warunkiewicz which told the story of his father Janusz Warunkiewicz who designed the Ocean Terminal (always fondly known in our family as the White Elephant) on T Jetty and much of the artwork which decorated it including a fibreglass galleon which I can clearly remember.
My first email exchange with Marek took place in early 2014 when Janusz was 104 years of age and living on his own in Montreal. He passed away a month short of his 105th birthday but FAD is honoured to be able to help keep his memory alive with a bit about his life and a splendid gallery of pictures.
February 17, 1910 – January 16, 2015. Pictured at home in Montreal shortly after his 104th birthday.
Marek wrote:
My father’s name was Janusz Warunkiewicz and we moved to Durban in 1959 from Warsaw in Poland where he worked with the engineering firm of a man called Zakrzewski.
He came by the Ocean terminal project because he had designed some sort of a trade building for Poland in 1957 or so that was in Jo’burg. His work was noticed and was offered the job of architect.It took two years to get a visa, and the evening that the visa was picked up, my parents had some family and friends for dinner to celebrate. At 9:30 or so, the phone rang and a man who my dad did not recognize, told him that the visa had been rescinded, effective 6:00 a.m. the following morning and that he was to be arrested. My parents managed to pack whatever they could in a few suitcases and we got the last train to Austria. We crossed the border and called my grandmother who was still in Warsaw, and yes, indeed, the secret police did arrive at six, but were told that we had already left.
He not only designed the Ocean Terminal, but also did a lot of the artwork in it. He made a fibreglass galleon that graced the front of the office tower which was called “the Cheesegrater” due to the way the front looked. The reason he made the front like that was that it actually created currents that air-conditioned the office at no cost.
He also created a series of plexiglas artworks and some backlit fibreglass ones on a marine theme (I actually made a few of the fish for the plexi ones and created one large panel of the fiberglass ones at age 7 – it was quite an experience).
A leaflet created for his 99th birthday (7Mb download) and handed out at his funeral had this to say:
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- 1953 – Marries Marianna Michalina Szmigrodzka.
- 1954 – Only child, a son, Marek is born.
- 1959 – Moves to Durban, South Africa to become the chief architect and lead artist for the then-largest port in Africa and work on the Durban Ocean Terminal.
- 1962 – In June, makes the decision to leave South Africa. Planned to emigrate to Brazil to work on the design of Brasilia but the architect who sponsored him dies abruptly. Is visited by a representative of the ANC and asked to stay and rebuild the country after democracy is brought in. He turns the offer down and a few days later is visited by Nelson Mandela. He is told that there is a book of “good whites” and that he will not be harmed. He declines, fearing a bloody revolution. Asks “Will everyone have this book and look at it?”
- Eleven months later HE is asked to come to Montréal, Canada.
Magda Zakrzewski
Janus Warunkiewich was indeed the very talented architect employed by my father Michal Zakrzewski to help with the architectural and interior design of the Durban Marine Terminal. Glad to hear from his son!!
Kathy Munro
Hello are you aware that an application for demolition of the Ocean Terminal is in the table with AMAFA
I am writing an article about the building under threat for the Heritage Portal and I would like permission to use the photographs you have posted from the Warunkiewicz family. I represent the Heritage Association of South Africa. I am looking for information about the art works. We have a campaign which we are trying to launch to stop demolition happening
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Kathy
The pictures and notes that are posted about the Ocean Terminal were posted by the late Allan Jackson. He had been contacted by Marek Warunkiewicz, son of Janusz and was given permission to post the pictures. I do not know the terms of that agreement and whether the pictures are copyright. I hesitate to give you permission as I was not party to that arrangement and suggest you try and contact Marek Warunkiewicz. If he gives permission so be it. This Facts about Durban site is in a state of limbo at the moment as Allan Jackson left no direction as to its fate in his will. I am caretaking it for the time being.
Kathy
Thank you for the reply . I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Allan Jackson. We have been losing too many good people . If we can help please let me know .. it would be a pity to lose this resource . .. perhaps a tie up with the Heritage. Portal or someone from the Durban Art Deco Society …
Magda Zakrzewski
Sorry about Allan Jackson, although I did not know him.
My suggestion (please pass it on) is to renovate the Harbor Terminal instead of demolishing. It is a work of art and needs to be preserved.
June Hallen
June
These photos came to me recently in connection with the Harbor Terminal which Durban is planning to demolish.
There is young Hans in some of them.
Much love to you
Magda
Gerald Buttigieg
Hi Magda
I am not sure where you posted the photos of the Harbour Terminal for June but you cannot post them directly on this FAD site. They have to be sent in and posted by the admin.