Jozi, the city we love to hate, dons her purple dress and delivers her swag
It all came together for a perfect event in early November. It was a beautiful early summer Sunday afternoon – warm but still crisp, before the dreadful sweltering heat that hit in late November. The Parktown Singers held a concert (more on both of those shortly) at Northwards, the beautifully restored historic house on Rockridge Rd, high up on the Parktown Ridge with its commanding view to the north as far as the Magaliesberg. And Jozis vistas are stunning but particularly so in October/November – the famous Jacaranda season.
And if it’s swag you want. Josephine had it!
Northwards, the large 40 roomed mansion, was designed by the architects Baker, Masey and Sloper in 1904 for John Dale Lace, owner of the Lace Diamond Mine, and his somewhat racy wife Josie. Josephine (born in Richmond in the Karoo) became a Grande Dame in Johannesburg Society, one whose flamboyance knew no boundaries: her mythmaking of being Edward VII’s mistress (while training as an actress in London), has been debunked; she travelled in a carriage drawn by a team of zebras; she is said to have bathed twice a week in milk; and she had her departure from Northwards for local visits, announced by a bugle-playing servant. But her high society position was to be short-lived as a major fire in 1911 put pay to the Dale Lace’s extravagant lifestyle, financial position and social aspirations. After a time in England they returned to Johannesburg to live in much more modest circumstances. John Dale Lace reputedly said after Josie’s death in 1937: “Living with José was hell, but it was a worse hell without her.”
The Dale Laces leave Northwards
After major rebuilding from the damaging fire in 1911, Northwards became the home of Sir George Albu, the founder of General Mining. He maintained much of Baker’s interiors although he added a dining room and a double-storeyed bedroom wing. In 1954 the house was sold to the SABC [South African Broadcasting Corporation]. Its high position on the ridge made it an ideal location for a broadcasting tower. Thanks however to the inimitable Flo Bird and the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust [now the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation], the building was saved from demolition. But it was some time before restoration work began.
After several uses and owners, Gencor Limited, (now BHP Billiton) negotiated a long-term lease on the property and began a multi-million rand restoration.
And let the singing begin
An architect, a lawyer, a tax consultant, and an academic, walk into a Great Hall and after a tuning note on the piano, glorious acappella harmonies fill the early 20th century Great Hall with threads and textures of intertwining notes and lyrics, joyous syncopated jazz, slow moody blues, achingly sad ballads about loss and loneliness. The music for some pieces was composed by Billy Joubert, the tenor in the quartet. These include 3 Shakespeare sonnets and the beautifully poignant poem by Emily Dickinson: “‘Hope’ is a Thing with Feathers”
“Hope” is a thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash this little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
So keep an eye out for the Parktown singers next concert. You can follow them on Facebook. You will not be disappointed.