Uncategorized Archives - KZN: A Photographic and Historical Record

20 Mar Rietvlei Methodist Church – 1877.

Posted at 16:30h in Uncategorized

The Rietvlei Methodist Church lies between Craigieburn Dam tributaries, a small stone church with a cemetery, many of the graves now having vanished. Those graves that remain are families like the Robinson's, Knox, Varty and Otto's. The church was built by William Ross for 482 pounds....

11 Feb Colinton – 68 Ridge Road, Durban.

Posted at 15:34h in Uncategorized

[caption id="attachment_118904" align="aligncenter" width="242"] Sir David Hunter KCMG 1841-1914[/caption] Colinton House on Durban’s Berea was built by Sir David Hunter KCMG in 1898 on a piece of land described as Bock Z of Townlands which at the time was on the outskirts of the Borough. The former...

15 Jan Steward Shaik Hassan’s grave in Durban North Muslim Cemetery.

Posted at 16:09h in Uncategorized

To the south of the Pick n Pay Hyper in Durban North is the Muslim Cemetery. Within the cemetery is the sole and lonely military grave of Steward Belal Hassan. Hassan was a crew member of HMS Trent who died on 12 January 1918. Disease...

18 Dec Natal Command and Mary Stainbank.

Posted at 13:21h in Uncategorized

The former Natal Command HQ was sold under dubious circumstances nearly 20 years ago and the dispute as to ownership continues to this day. All that remains is the front façade and the collapsing church, that was supposed to be cared for. The front façade has concrete...

21 Nov SATORI AFRICA – Some Hot Ideas for Local SA Travel

Posted at 14:07h in Uncategorized

My son, Mark Bland, has a travel business Satori Africa ( http://www.satoriafrica.co.za ) and he has put together some hot travel ideas for you. If they don't meet your needs drop him a line at hello@satoriafrica.co.za , He's a wizard at finding you those special...

21 Oct Durban North WWII Gun Battery

Posted at 12:02h in Uncategorized

Someone has been very busy clearing up this WWII Gun Battery site and exposing some of the remaining structures like the observation tower, Bunkers and gun platform. This space is large and could be used as an entertainment area for children and even a restaurant...

21 Oct Moses Mabhida Stadium and Statue

Posted at 10:43h in Uncategorized

A visit to Moses Mabhida Stadium after 6 months of lockdown is interesting. The screen panels continue to disappear. I noticed this started in 2005, a mere 5 years after the stadium was built. The Sky Car is inoperative and has been for some 18...

21 Oct Durban – Hollis House – 178 Florida Road

Posted at 10:31h in Uncategorized

It's a nice change to see that the Edwardian, Hollis House built, by Jack George Hollis has been restored (2020). Prior to this the house had been severely burnt, restored and then left in a state of disrepair, after being used as a restuarant. George Hollis...

29 Sep Mary Stainbank – Della Robbia Sculpting – Addington Children’s Hospital

Posted at 12:55h in Uncategorized

[caption id="attachment_118158" align="aligncenter" width="233"] Addington Children's Hospital entrance 2010 with Della Robbia above door.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_118159" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sketch by Mary Stainbank in design of sculpture for the Children's Hospital.[/caption] The sketch for the sculpture above the Prince entrance was drawn by Mary Stainbank for the Addington...

03 Sep Tala Game Reserve – Umlaas Road.

Posted at 17:44h in Uncategorized

After five weeks of lock-down it was great to spend a day with a picnic in this game reserve and enjoy the game and flora. A bonus was that the manager allowed us to picnic on the veranda of their signature lodge, Lead-wood Lodge. It...