MY
GAUTRAIN RAMBLES
While using Gautrain transport on a daily commute, I noticed how some
of the stations are close to interesting areas worth exploring. Instead of
zooming past or jumping on a bus, I did a bit of rambling about. This is a blog
of what I saw and learnt on my walks through those areas - or at least, some of
what I saw.
PART TWO
HOGGENHEIMER DETOUR
THE RANDLORDS
Daniel
Boonzaier, a cartoonist from Carnavon in the Karoo created the cartoon
character of Hoggenheimer in 1910. This figure was the archetypal Randlord -
the bloated British imperialist capitalist.
Rich
and greedy, oppressor of the poor and the controlling force manipulating the
government.
His first
Hoggenheimer cartoon shows how Hoggenheimer manipulates the government into
importing cheap Chinese labour. In a later cartoon, he shows the result.
Hoggenheimer
then became a popular cartoon figure and in the beginning, it is clearly Rhodes
and his cronies who are depicted. The Hoggenheimer figure was later twisted into being not British but Jewish, and the German Jews were specifically targeted. This was done in an effort to put pressure on them to leave the
country and sell their shares cheaply. The personification was Ernest
Oppenheimer, the representative of Baron Rothschild.
NORTHWARDS
Instead
of turning right out of Oxford into Victoria at North Lodge, turn left and
cross the M1 highway. From across the highway, the roof of Northwards can be
seen sticking out above the trees. Northwards is in the property of the Wits
residences (Knockando Halls) in Rock Ridge Road (on the north corner with the
highway) and the security guard is quite happy to let one in.
"CREMATE
ME AT MIDNIGHT"
When José
Dale Lace died on 14 May 1937, she was, in accordance with her wishes, cremated
at midnight and her ashes were "scattered
to the wind". Her husband, John, followed her just twenty-two days
later. In his words, "life with José
is hell. - life without her is worse" - so he died. Such drama gave
many people the pip but she had 'personality' and she was interesting and at
least better looking than the rest of the Randlord wives who tended breed quite
horsey.
Josephine
Cornelia Brink was born (1869) to an Afrikaner noveu riche family in Richmond
in the Karoo. These were people with social aspirations and they were friends
with Jan Hofmeyer (Onze Jan) the leader of the Cape Afrikaner community and
connected into the Rhodes social set. (Rhodes proposed to Josephine but she
declined.)
When she
was seventeen, and a tall blonde beauty, she was introduced to Queen Victoria
and the Royal Court. She was captivated and soon she was in London as an
aspiring 'actress'. There she caught the eye of the extremely wealthy and
extremely ugly Baron Grimthorpe who took her under his wing and set José up in
a house of her own overlooking Kensington Gardens where the Baron could visit
her to ensure she was comfortable. Becoming a baroness appealed to José who
agreed to the arrangement with an understanding - she would become the next
baroness if the current one departed this earth.
This soon
came about, but there were no marriage overtures. In a fit of rage Josè (she
preferred to be called José), married another besotted suitor, John Dale Lace -
also a gentleman of some means. The good Baron shrugged his shoulders but José
would not let John touch her - she wanted to be royalty. She managed to cut the
tensions between her and Grimthorpe and fell pregnant with his child. Believing she was now sure to become a baroness, José divorced Dale Lace. But no
luck. Again, the Baron shrugged his shoulders and wished her well for the
future.
News of her
debasement and humiliation had London in a twitter and José grabbed Dale Lace
and made a run for Cape Town. There, their second wedding took place in 1897
when José was already twenty-eight. The marriage produced no children.
Dale Lace
needed a job so he bought a diamond mine. After living in Doornfontein, the
Dale Laces had Sir Baker, build them, the forty roomed Northwards - at the
time, the most expensive property in Johannesburg.
She:
Drove a carriage pulled by four
zebras
Bathed in milk for a smoother skin
Made and altered dresses to exquisite
standards
Bathed in a bath on rails that she
rode around in
Had a constant round-robin of
visitors
Gave stylish garden parties during
the day
Gave even more stylish masked balls
at night
Made women, in a society used to a
low décolleté, flinch
Slept under black satin sheets
Received all morning visitors carefully
arranged in bed
The
Northwards gardens stretched all the way down to Oxford Road and José could
ride all the way down to the Limpopo River through Forest Town and Saxonwold
through unspoiled plantations. She was an exceptional rider and due to her
substantial rump and a willingness to use the crop, she brought to heel even
the friskiest stallion.
José was very
decadent and frivolous but she was also one of those people who remained calm
in a crisis and got things done.
On 12
September 1918, the Galway Castle was
torpedoed by a German U-boat. On board was José returning from Europe where she
drove a war ambulance. Travelling first class with her was Ernest Oppenheimer.
From the start, they headed into rough seas and fun was not had by all, and it
became especially unpleasant when they had to take to open lifeboats after the
ship had been torpedoed. Throughout the ordeal, José calmed and organised the
frantic passengers.
Seeing her
composure, a newlywed mother fearing her husband would not be allowed
on the boats, entrusted her baby to José. She planned to stay with her husband
and both Dorothy and Edward drowned leaving the child an orphan who was later
adopted. José kept contact and contributed to the girl's education in later
years.
After José
had spent all John's money, the house caught fire and they moved out and Northwards
was bought by Sir George Albu.
George
was a sales assistant at Stuttafords before moving to Kimberley and becoming a
zillionare. He and his brothers started the General Mining and Finance
Corporation that later became Gencor and BHP Billiton. His wife was sensible,
staunch and took no nonsense, and three generations of Albus grew up in the
house.
HOGGENHEIMER ALTRUISM
Rock
Ridge Road is gated and can only be entered from the western end so a walk
around down Eton Road is required. Taking up most of a rather boring block is
the Donald Gordon Hospital.
The
hospital came into being in 2002 after Sir Donald (he became a sir after donating
money to a opera house in London) gave Wits University the money
to buy the old Kenridge Hospital - and it was a lot of money.
The
hospital is a teaching/academic hospital specialising in areas not covered by
the traditional teaching hospitals. It teaches practises going beyond what
would be considered 'standard care'. Though covering several fields they have
become best known for their liver transplant unit - the unit serves as an
illustration of how the hospital functions.
There are
many people born with faulty livers or who through no fault of their own lose
liver function. Most of them cannot afford a liver transplant and the state
cannot afford to cover the entire cost of keeping a transplant unit going. The
Donald Gordon can cover the shortfall because they also offer the service to
the extremely wealthy who pay massively for transplants - or their medical aids pay.
Gordon
words of wisdom:
- Strive for excellence, not perfection
- Be bold and courageous
- Never give up on what you really want to do
- Be tough minded but tender-hearted
DONALD GORDON HOSPITAL CAFETERIA
This
is possibly the best pit-stop on the entire walk. Clean toilets, nice place,
great coffee, wide variety of snacks - sushi!.
But
only during the week.
On
weekends and public holidays it is toasted sandwiches - creating future
business for the hospital.
ROCK RIDGE (OR ROCKRIDGE) ROAD
There is an interesting sign at the
entrance:
HERBERT BAKER
Herbert
Baker designed many of the houses in Parktown and none of them is particularly
nice. A couple of examples of his work can be seen along Rockridge Road,
including the house he built for himself. Dour, cold looking heaps of rock. I suspect Baker was a great craftsman/mason but a very average
architect. It was only his association with Rhodes and later Milner who got
him commissions and fame.
He is a
typical example of a politicised artist, houses built to reflect gravitas and
permanence - to show the British had come to stay and was going to take no
nonsense. The 'Boers' could wait cap in hand at the kitchen door.
Baker houses
are the artistic expression of oppression.
At the
bottom of Rockridge road is St Margaret's - another gross Baker heap but
the gardens are brilliant. The house is, very importantly, beautifully restored
and well looked after.
Across the
road from the monstrosities is a wonderful garden complete with waterfalls -
there are some offices as well.
17 ROCKRIDGE ROAD
The house was built for Major Walter
'Karri' Davies by Herbert Baker.
Unfortunately modern historians try to justify the British attack on the
Boer Republics as a fight for liberty. In the case of Karri Davies, the theory
is advanced that he fought the Boers because he was Jewish and the Boers were
oppressing the Jews. His lifelong friendship with Rhodes is not mentioned.
The
assertion that the Boers oppressed Jews is not in accordance with the facts. It
is not even true that the Boers hated Randlords - both Sammy Marks and Barney
Barnato was great friends of Kruger.
There is
obviously a perception problem. In 1893, Kruger fought an election against Piet
Joubert. One of the big issues was Kruger's refusal to change his attitude
towards Jews. Eugene Marais became the chief accuser and attacked Kruger
mercilessly. He was rabidly anti-Semitic. And we now know, sponsored by Rhodes.
Jews had
been coming into the ZAR from Russia and Poland when it became known Kruger did not discriminate against Jews at all. These Jews spoke Yiddish,
where very religious, and were highly and outspokenly critical of the
'decadent' Randlord Jews. In return, the British and German Jews regarded the
Russians and Poles as uncivilised.
Kruger had
a staff with a large number of highly educated Jews. Interestingly Jews like De
Vries, a member of the Volksraad caused great antagonism because he wanted
Afrikaans taught in schools. Afrikaans in schools was already at this stage a
problem as the Uitlanders wanted their children to be taught in English.
Another problem with Kruger's Jews was their ability to read a balance sheet and they acted as accountants who brought the cheating Randlords to book - and their
loyalty lay with Kruger, not the Randlord Jews.
Walter
Karri Davies was on a sales trip from Australia with the task of selling
Karri-wood to the mines. When war came, he helped form the Imperial Light Horse
Regiment and was appointed as a major mainly because he contributed a
substantial sum. Not knowing a thing about war, he relied on bravery and dumb
luck to get through the war. Though he was seriously wounded, it was
unfortunate for all his troops who died unnecessarily he wasn't killed
on the first day of the war. But historians care little for such details - in
the history books he is portrayed as the brave defender of Judaism.
Light Horse
was one of the better Uitlander units and it was retained in every subsequent
South African army. Eventually, after many adventures, it became part of
81-Armored Brigade, a Pretoria based and very Afrikaans unit - they were still
'Rooinekke' but they had lots of money for beers.
After
Rockridge Road it is down to Jan Smuts left, and left again for the shock of
the:
QUEEN OF THE COSMECEUTICALS EMPORIUM
Cnr Sherborne and Jan Smuts
The Reeva Beauty and Health Products
building looks like a giant white mausoleum with not a sign of life to be seen
during the day.
Reeva
Forman built this company using her own image and the strength of her
personality and from a business perspective, it will be interesting to see if
it can survive her death.
Health and
cosmeceuticals make wild claims that are at best a little silly but could
be extremely dangerous. Let the buyer beware. Reeva sells a vitamin supplement
for use while on a restrictive diet, which "may result in a tendency to weight
increase". Then why not then just eat healthy?
And her tanning
lotion "allows tanning" but "blocks out harmful UVA/UVB
rays". It is impossible to tan without harmful UVA/UVB rays damaging the
skin. In any case, vampires have to use factor 1000 or they catch alight.
DYSART HOUSE/ABBERTON
Next to Reeva
A
rather boring Baker house (apparently the roof has architects in a swoon),
originally built for the Australian, CW Dix.
There
is a massive oak tree in front of the house. It is so big that it was difficult
to take a photo while the security guard was chasing me - no photos
allowed.
Dix was a
post office worker before the Anglo-Boer War, and then went to work for the
WNLA (Witwatersrand Native Labour Association), known amongst locals as
'Wenela'. Wenela recruited black workers for the gold mines locally and in the
rest of southern Africa all the way to the Congo. One of the main reasons for
Britain starting the War was the refusal of Kruger to allow unlimited labour,
and especially foreign labourers, into the ZAR (Transvaal). The problems he
foresaw - single sex hostels, violence, xenophobia - all came true. The Wenela
recruitment structure was truly astonishing and recruiting stations had clinics
and provided all sorts of services. The prospective miners were medically
screened and taught Fanagalo before leaving for the mines.
Wenela
lured workers to the mines with the promise of giving them the financial
ability to buy goods from the glossy brochures rubbish that was freely
distributed.
The
workers stick the brochure filled with rubbish above their beds in the mine
compounds and after a day of backbreaking work lie and stare at the picture of
the most ridiculously kitschy furniture and goods. Every month, money is
deducted from their salaries and at the end of the year; they go home to a
village without electricity - with a fake crystal chandelier. The financing
system of these goods is completely dishonest even if it is legal.
The second
and more successful recruitment strategy was a pretence working on the
mines proves the person was a man and not a child. It became part of the
tribal system of initiation.
The third
was pressure from the village because 'property' taxes have to be paid to the
local captains or kings or chiefs or even the government. Obviously, the whole
lot are in cahoots and skim their bit of the top.
Kruger
really was right about this one.
ASBESTOS RELIEF TRUST
5 Sherborne Road
DEAD BEFORE THEY GET SICK
The
Kgalagadi Relief Trust concerns itself specifically with environmentally
acquired asbestos-related diseases (ARD). It is a can of worms reflecting extremely badly on South African society but not for the obvious reasons.
Between 2003 and 2010, there were 53 cases (146 claims) of environmental ARD.
At the same time there was more than 15 000 cases of labour related ARD.
Considering
how many people live close to or even on top of asbestos dumps nobody expected
such a low figure. (There were almost no cases from asbestos in the walls or
ceilings.)
The answer
lies in the ages of the claimants with most of them in their sixties. Unlike
labor related ARD, environmental ARD requires constant exposure over a long
period. With a life expectancy of around fifty, very few people live long
enough to get environmentally induced ARD. They die from AIDS, or stabbings or
car accidents long before they can get sick
ST GEORGE'S CHURCH
7 Sherborne Road
HERBIE'S WORST PIECE OF WORK
The original
building was by Herbert Baker and it is dark and gloomy, with a design based on a coffin - so the congregation can sit there and get used to the idea.
St George's
Church is known as the church of the Randlords and it was meant to be for their
use away from the smelly miners. For the women it was a place to see and be
seen, and look for prospects - a form of mining. For the men, it was a place to
make deals and plot coups, and smile at enemies - a form of worship.
Due to its phallic
tower speaking of good things to come, the church is one of Johannesburg's most
popular wedding venues.
The organ
was donated by the Oppenheimers and looks like the monstrosity in Rocky Horror
Picture Show. Regular concerts are held but they are rather pricey - but it helps to keep away the riff-raff.
NOW LETTEST
THOU THEY SERVANT DEPART IN PEACE
The
memorial plaque in memory of Harry Oppenheimer in the garden of St George's quotes
from Luke 2 and it is the "they
servant" part which is curious. After his death, a memorial service was
held for Harry in 2000 who was cremated, and his father Ernest was buried here,
at the church, in 1957. This must strike most people as odd. How did two good
Jewish boys landed up becoming servants of the Anglican Church?
The whole
thing started in Kimberley with the discovery of diamonds. When
Cecil John Rhodes died in 1902, Ernest Oppenheimer at the young age of 22 was
sent to Kimberley to take over the running of the De Beers office in the town.
He joined and took part in the activities of the local Jewish community. After Harry
was born, he had his bris in the
local synagogue, a building completely out of place in a dusty mining town. Contrary
to rumour, Harry never had a Bar Mitzvah, not at this synagogue, nor at any
other.
The
Russian/Byzantine fantasy synagogue is the most fanciful one in South Africa
and is still in use, but the other two that Kimberley has had, are now gone. De
Beers wanted the land of the oldest one so they donated a huge plot of land. In
place of the synagogue, they put a statue of Rhodes. It is still there - for
the moment at least. The other one was for 'Kruger Jews' and was broken down
when the community became too small - its benches can be seen in medical
waiting rooms in the town.
During
World War One, an anti-German crowd stormed his house and Ernest sent his
family to Cape Town and then to London. Returning from London after a visit, he
survived the Galway Castle sinking.
The death
of his first wife May, and son Frank, shortly after each other brought on a
spiritual crises and he converted to Christianity. Luckily, this happened just
after he met Lady Caroline (Caroline Harvey 'Ina' Oppenheimer) - daughter of an English
Baron. They found love at first sight and got married.
Ina was
already, 'Lady Oppenheimer' and her son was 'Sir Oppenheimer' and his wife was also 'Lady Oppenheimer'. This all came about because Ina was the widow of Sir Michael who was the son of Ernest Oppenheimer's brother, Sir Bernard.
Being a
Christian helped Sir Ernest immensely to overcome anti-Semitic prejudice and he
even got financing from the virulently anti-Semitic JP Morgan to form Anglo
American. The South African government, especially General Jan Smuts also
looked on him kindly and he got the rights to all the diamond mining in
Namibia. These two events made it possible for him to establish complete
control over the world diamond industry and control a large share of its gold market.
Sir Harry,
technically up to that point still Jewish, entered the Anglican Church before
his marriage to Bridget McCall in 1943. He met her, of all places, on Robben
Island.
Robben
Island was a prison since the 17th century for people like Jan Taljaard who
cooled his heels there for 15 years after calling a British judge a French
bagpipe. In 1845, Robben Island became a mental asylum and this was an
apocalyptic horror. Here was sent:
The insane
Diseased prostitutes
The unemployed
Lepers
Homeless people
Alcoholics
The old
And anybody useless to society
They
had little shelter, food, care and there was only limited control.
In
1931, it was such a mess it was decided instead of trying to fix it,
everybody on it would be removed and the island was turned into a coastal
defencive installation. Unfortunately, the big naval guns weren't in place for
World War 2 - fortunately nobody attacked.
During the
war, most of the military personnel were female and one of them was Lieutenant
Bridget McCall - signals.
Harry was
in the desert with the 4th Armoured giving Jerry hell and then when that job was
done, he as battle-hardened intelligence officer was sent to the Castle in Cape
Town. And ...
Love at first,
'signal'.
He went on
to make even more gazillions and she achieved fame with her race-horses. And
she did some big charity work.
Sadly,
becoming Anglican could not stop the dreaded Tay-Sachs, the Ashkenazi disease,
that skipped generations and then took their son.
Sherborne
Road leads under trees past boring offices back up to the highway - left and
across with a lovely view of Dolobran.
