Lane of Fame is growing
Benoni's Lane of Fame on Thursday received a fresh hand print to add to a long list of people who have been honoured for their contribution to the old mining town.
Dr David Thomas, co-author of Benoni Son of my Sorrow, was inducted at the Cranbourne Centre after talking at The Victorian Secret, on Thursday, last week.
He discussed his role as a writer and researcher on the book on which that he worked on for three years to about 30 people.
Thomas was commissioned to work the book by the Benoni Town Council in the early 1960s.
The book was published in 1968, seven years after the project commenced.
The retired professor and Australia resident was initially not sure whether he was worthy of the recognition, but later said he thought he did as he made a contribution to Benoni’s history.
“I am very honoured, thank you for doing this,” he said at the Lane of Fame in front of the Civin family, the Benoni Publicity Association and members of the public.
“I hope I am worthy of it and I hope I can make contributions to Benoni one way or another.”
Thomas placed his right hand in the wet cement and honoured his friend Deryck Humphries, who was the driver of Benoni Son of my Sorrow, by writing his name in the surface.
Thomas, who still very much regards himself as a Benonian, despite moving abroad in 1980, joins some very well-known Benonians in the Lane of Fame.
Some of the big names include Charlize Theron (actress), Chris Barnard (world-renowned cardiac surgeon), Pollen Ndlanya (Bafana Bafana soccer player), Andre Watson (international rugby referee), Frith van der Merwe (marathon record holder), to name a few.
Benoni’s rich history
Benoni has a wealth of history and the last 50 years are waiting to be documented.
Thomas said the opportunity is now there to document the events since the book’s publication.
He recalled how his proposal to do a masters degree on Benoni’s history at the University of the Witwatersrand was rejected, which stopped him for 15 years to enroll for a higher degree.
The idea was disregarded by a senior academic who ”derided the idea that there was anything worthwhile studying in so plebeian place as Benoni”.
The author was delighted to see the continuous interest in Benoni’s history and urged people to support the Benoni – Now and Then Facebook group, as it is documenting history.
Thomas said history needs to be preserved and that every community must preserve its history.
Those who attended the talk are:
Jeff, Sally and Audrey Mathee, Marian Hurley, Rob Millenaar, Peter and Hester Wood (Boksburg Historical Society), Brian and Paxie Kelsey, Ken Ward (Boksburg Historical Society), Joe Civin, Gerald Nestadt (son of Morrie Nestadt), Errol van Heerden, Tess Uren (Boksburg Historical Society), Michelle Millett-Clay Ternent, Glynis and Charles Millett-Clay, Meg Denis, Patrick James, Norman and Ann Smith, Moira Simpson (Kids Haven), Gerhard van der Stelt, Ken MacPherson, Merle Corless, Michael Shneier and Barbara Arthur.
