Looking back on South Coast history: November 14 to 17
An English mayoral visit and a rare fish made a change from complaints about transport services, though there were some of those too.
MARGATE was among the first seaside towns to recognise the value of out-of-season conferences to the local economy.
November 14
1952
“THIS week Margate took its courage in both hands when it acted host to that ultra-critical and discerning group of businessmen, the delegates to the 1952 annual conference of the Federated Hotel Association of Southern Africa.”
1980
WHILE Transkei sought to keep People apart… “The Transkei government is pressing for a border post at Port Edward. The inconvenience of a border post, coupled with the winding route between Ramsgate and Port Edward, will be a deterrent to weekend or day trippers.”
PORT Shepstone was all for helping them get together/ “On Saturday Port Shepstone’s Wimpy Bar became the first Lower South Coast restaurant to go multi-racial and the move has been widely welcomed by people of all races.”
AND a landmark changed hands. “The Crayfish Inn has been sold.”
1981
“No beach zoning wanted on Lower South Coast.”
November 15
1935
“I HEAR that the new railway station plans look very pretty on paper, but indications are that they will be further delayed. There’s not likely to be an election for another couple of years – so why the hurry?”
THE train was inconvenient, anyway. “From Anerley comes the suggestion that a regular bus service should be run to arrive at Port Shepstone about 9.30am. The first train ‘down’ does not arrive in Port Shepstone until 11.45am which, with the banks closing at 12 o’clock on two days of the week, is totally unsuited to the needs of the community.”
1946
AIRPORT plans lagged behind. “An agreement between the Margate Estates and the South Coast Aviation Company was signed some time ago but up to the present the company has made no move to carry out its agreement and put the aerodrome in a fit state for inspection and passing by the Civil Aviation Council.”
1957
Mayor of Ramsgate in Kent, England visited the South Coast
1974
“LOWER South Coast builders are battling their way through a critical cement shortage.”
November 16
1951
“IN response to representation made on the subject of poor radio reception on the lower South Coast, the SABC says that lack of aerials and inefficient receiving sets are responsible for our troubles.”
“A MOST unusual catch and one of considerable interest to ichthyology was made at Munster last weekend by Mr JB Powell. He landed a shark of 10lb, which is quite unknown in characteristics to local anglers but which conforms in every detail to the extremely rare Scylliogaleus queketti.”
1984
THE environment came into the spotlight. “Tough new measures designed to save the South Coast from further environmental degradation are likely to be introduced by the end of the year.”
AND an industrial zoning face-off came to an abrupt end. “Final liquidation date set for brick factory.”
1990
“A R34-MILLION contract to construct a 300m long Mzimkhulu river bridge, which will form part of the South Coast freeway, has been awarded.”
November 17
1950
CHARLES Salter, mayor of Port Shepstone, sent down the first wood on the occasion of the official opening of Port Shepstone’s new bowling green.
1967
“ON Wednesday, November 8, the Methodists of Port Shepstone saw the opening of the new Wesley Hall.”
1972
THE Mayor of Uvongo declared: “WE are against amalgamation unless Uvongo is the main town.”
1978
“OPEN trading in a third of Port Shepstone’s central business district could become a reality within the next few months.”
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