Looking back on South Coast history: May 19 to 22
Two new churches, devastating floods and some really high-flying visitors marked this week.
THE Anglican congregation welcomed the bishop to Margate.
May 19
1950
“MARGATE was the scene, on Sunday May 7, of a joyous and interesting event in ecclesiastical circles when the Lord Bishop of Natal, the Right Reverend LN Fisher DD, visited the borough to consecrate the new Church of St Margaret of Antioch.”
1961
“SPEAKING at a Progressive Party meeting in the Memorial Hall, Port Shepstone, on Wednesday, May 10, Mrs Helen Suzman MP said that, in her parliamentary career of eight years, this was the first time she had had the opportunity of addressing a multiracial political meeting.”
1967
“THURSDAY, May 18 was the day that the first residents were admitted to ‘the Village’.”
1981
“TWO men were stabbed and another assaulted in two separate incidents over the past weekend – all within a block of Settlers Park.”
May 20
1988
“THE Port Shepstone CBD is to get a multi-million rand facelift – with the proposed new White House Mall shopping complex to be built over the next few months.”
1988
“SPECTACULAR flying was the order of the day at the air show held at Margate Airport at the weekend.”
May 21
1937
SOIL erosion was worrying. “A matter of much concern to many of the older inhabitants of these parts is the wanton destruction of the bush, by irresponsibles, who are allowed to proceed without let or hindrance.”
BUT the South Coast was moving up in the world. “Margate is collecting all data with a view to raising itself from the humble status of a Health Committee to the more dignified position of Town Board.”
1954
“MARGATE’S 1954 Hibiscus Festival will be talked about with retrospective joy in the four corners of the Union and beyond for many months to come.”
1965
THE Bishop of Umzimkulu, the Right Reverend Dhlamini, did the blessing and opening of the new church and school extensions for St Dominic’s-by-the-Sea at Port Shepstone.
BUT, for the second time in succession, the Natal Performing Arts Council had to cancel a performance of an Afrikaans play in Port Shepstone because of lack of public support.
May 22
1936
“THE Beach Pavilion has now been leased to Mr Kvalsvig of the Rendezvous Tea Room. We understand that other novelties are being introduced to popularise the beach. The rental has been fixed at £2 a month.”
MEANWHILE some people were looking at an alternative to tourism. “The South Coast can produce the proper grade of pineapples. Who will give us a lead to establish the canning industry?”
1953
“A SMALL group of harbour enthusiasts met at a private house in Port Shepstone last Friday night to discuss ways and means of pressing to a successful conclusion the campaign launched in the columns of the Herald a fortnight ago.”
1959
“THE confirmed death toll in Sunday’s flood was 32 at noon yesterday – two Europeans, 13 Indians and 18 Africans. The Indians were all members of one family.”
FLOOD damage was widespread.
AND services were affected. “Every effort is being made by the Lower South Coast Regional Water Supply Corporation to restore full water supplies to householders from Hibberdene to Port Edward.”
1964
“FOR the first time, Margate has been selected as the finishing point for the well-known Protea Motor Rally, run each year by the Rand Motoring Club.”
1970
“LAST week an advertisement appeared in the South Coast Herald asking for a live wire salesman. A reply from an applicant stated that he had plenty of experience as a salesman and, although he had no experience selling ‘live wire’, he was prepared to try.”
1970
SOME stories go on for ever. “The proposed Wild Coast road, linking Port St Johns to Port Edward is unlikely to be built in the next 10 years.”
1981
“USE electricity, but use it sparingly during peak demand periods. This is Escom’s request this winter to its consumers.”
1987
“THE largest concentration of light aircraft ever to be seen in one place in Africa will be on the airfield at Margate Airport from May 25 to 30.”
“TUESDAY Rostrum was officially launched at an inaugural luncheon last week.”
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