The City Times is proud to revive a monthly history piece compiled by local history enthusiast Glynis Cox Millett-Clay, which she has named Benoni Bygones

The great and famous Hotel Cecil of London has inspired many adaptations of its name worldwide, but it has a different story in Benoni.

Charles John Wickee, who was born and educated in Copenhagen, came to South Africa in 1881.

He was a member of the Association of Transvaal Architects and practised for 14 years at 33 Market Avenue, Benoni.

Property stands were sold by public auction in 1904, and Wickee bought several, then entered into the development of the new township.

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He served as a town councillor for five years and continued developing real estate.

Wickee was also the local representative of the United Building Society, which invested heavily in Benoni’s growth.

He built the Cecil Hotel at 59 Prince’s Avenue (corner of Rothsay Street) in 1914 when World War One started.

The hotel was named after his youngest son, Cecil Maplesden, who died barely a month later when he was 19 months old.

It was the town’s largest hotel and one of the most handsome local buildings owned by Hotel Cecil Ltd.

The large hall, which flowed from the hotel lounge, hosted banquets, dances, and functions.

The hall was one of the finest of its kind on the Reef and made up half of the hotel’s great hall, or ballroom.

A row of movable partitions ran down the centre, dividing the remaining half of the ballroom into a dining area where guests enjoyed their meals in the surroundings’ unusual spaciousness.

The Hotel Cecil’s cuisine was excellent, and the service was outstanding.

The hotel incorporated part of the historic loam structure, which shared a common wall with the main property.

This quiet, peaceful area hosted several of the 34 restful guest bedrooms.

The Cecil stood out as the only hotel in Benoni with modern sanitation, with guests particularly appreciating its fine bathrooms with hot and cold running water.

In 1936, the hotel was renovated and redecorated throughout. Needless to say, its public and private bars were the most sought-after spots in the hotel and were under the personal supervision of M Tangney, the company’s managing director.

Nothing was lacking to ensure guests’ comfort and welfare.

Wickee retired in 1931/1932 and died on February 9, 1935, at his home, The Clifford, in Howard Avenue, Benoni.

The Cecil Hotel was eventually sold.

(Source: Environs of the Golden City & Pretoria, published 1936/retyped: Glynis Cox Millett-Clay 30 June, 2020, updated 17 October, 2026).

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