heritage

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National Braai Day

The 24th of September is National Heritage Day in South Africa and all the different cultures like to braai in one way or another.  Somebody latched onto that and National Braai Day was born on the same day.  This morning I joined my fellow Geocachers on a fun day out at the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve for a Geocaching Amazing Race followed by a braai.  Unfortunately the weather didn't play along and it rained the whole morning meaning that even…

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24/09/2014
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Chill by the fire

Today is Heritage Day and a national holiday in South Africa.  It is also Braai Day which is closely linked to most cultures in the country.  I had to work today so made up for it by having a braai on Saturday night.  I am exhausted though and can really do with a bit of just sitting next to a fire at a game lodge with a drink on hand like this guy is doing at Pumba Game Reserve close to…

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24/09/2012
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Steve Biko’s cell at Walmer police station

Today is the 35th anniversary of the death of Steve Biko, anti-apartheid activist and founder of the Black Consciousness Movement.  I was invited to visit the police cell at the Walmer Police Station where Biko was kept after his arrest in 1977 before he was taken to the Sanlam Building in town where he was tortured.  I hadn't seen the cell before and was glad that the opportunity has come my way as it is one of only a few heritage sites…

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12/09/2012
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Grey Institute

The Grey Institute across the road from the Donkin Reserve was built in 1859 with the clock tower being added in 1875. The land on which it stands was made available by the then governor of the Cape Colony, Sir George Grey, for a school to be built on. Grey School got too big for the old building and moved to its present site in Mill Park in the early 1900's after which the old building was used by a…

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24/07/2010
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Heritage Day

Tomorrow (or today, depending on when you read this), 24 September, is Heritage Day here in South Africa. Heritage Day is a Public Holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people. Here in Port Elizabeth there will be several Heritage Day celebrations with onr of the main ones being a "Save our…

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23/09/2009
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days gone by

This colourful bit of playground equipment in St George's Park is designed to commemorate the "Voortrekkers" or pioneers who opened up the interior of South Africa in the early years. It all looks entertaining and romantic from this perspective, but imagine what it must have been like for a whole family to live in this cramped space, being jolted along for months on end, heading into unknown territory, with danger on all sides. They were exceptional people.

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26/02/2009
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Constitution Hill

Looking up Constitution Hill, in Port Elizabeth Central. The steeple sticking up in the background is from the Hill Presbytarian Church, which we have featured before.

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24/02/2009
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Gracious old home

This gracious old home, on the corner of Newington and Dickens Streets, is now used by financial brokers. The house and all the architectural detail is beautifully maintained and it remains one of the iconic land marks of Richmond Hill.

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21/02/2009
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Pineview

One of the iconic buildings in Port Elizabeth Central is Pineview, which is situated between Donkin Street and Ivy Terrace. When you contrast this building and Cora Terrace with the earlier post on the Victoria Hotel, you can see what a difference having a heart and a passion for our City and our heritage can achieve.

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02/02/2009
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Monthly Theme: Paths and Passages Cora Terrace

The daily photo theme for this month is "paths and passages" and we have decided to feature Cora Terrace, which is one of the gems of Port Elizabeth Central. It is seen here in the early hours of the morning with its beautifully maintained Victorian homes. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

7 Comments
01/02/2009