Happy Hundredth Birthday to Craighall Park!

Posted on

Craighall Park turns 100 Feels like spring not autumn here in Jozi with temperatures of  27°  over the week-end.  And what better way to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather on Saturday than at the Craighall Park Centenary Open Day. I have had the privilege of living in Craighall Park for nearly 40 years (terrifying thought!) and […]

Read More »



Heritage tours run by Parktown Westcliff Heritage Trust

Posted on

The Parktown Westcliff Heritage Trust runs tours to interesting places which are very varied on their offerings.  Many of these tours provide access to places that one cannot always get to independently.  Sadly however,  the guiding  style and information provided can be a little superficial and descriptive, with in-depth information often tantalizingly lacking. But enjoy the outings.  […]

Read More »

A destination guesthouse: Satyagraha in Orchards

Posted on

Satyagraha Guesthouse: Beautifully restored house where Gandhi spent time when in Johannesburg Ghandi’s philosphy of Satyagraha (non-violent non-cooperation) was born in South Africa and more specifically in what was then the Transvaal, in the first decade of the 20th Century.  Ghandi arrived in Johannesburg in 1893 and stayed at various places during the 12 years he […]

Read More »

Forde’s biography of Malema and the closing of Boekehuis

Posted on

2 biographers of 2 key political SA figures converse Yesterday Boekehuis hosted Mark Gevisser, Mbeki’s biographer, in conversation with Fiona Forde, Malema’s biographer. Mark engaged Fiona to expand on some of the issues raised in her biography of Malema: ‘An Inconvenient Youth’.  An informed, informative, measured and fascinating interchange followed. Malema’s significance Forde’s take is that […]

Read More »


Wonderful way to spend a Jozi Sunday morning getting a bird’s eye view of the newly budding Jacaranda blossoms.

Posted on

Westcliff historical walking tour What?  Westcliff Historical Walking Tour When?  Sunday Morning 16th October  at 10 Am. Where? The tour starts from The Ridge School. No booking necessary. More info:  You’ll see buildings such as: Glenshiel designed by Baker for Sir William Dalrymple and his wife the Hope School, Pallinghurst Rd The Stables also designed by Baker […]

Read More »