September is Heritage Month and Kensington has something special to offer.
The Kensington Heritage Trust is selling a limited number of A3, A4, and A6 assorted blank cards to mark the occasion.
The cards are sold in a pack and are signed by artist Mark de Lange.
De Lange was born in Essex Street, Kensington in 1938.
He attended Leicester Road Primary School where an early interest in art developed after he received an award for drawing at the Rand Easter Show.
Also read: Enjoy Heritage Month with Modderfontein Conservation Society
He attended high school at Queens High School and thereafter did a commercial art course at the Johannesburg School of Art.
At the time artist positions were few and Mark then served an apprenticeship with the Johannesburg City Council Transport Department as a diesel fitter.
He then got an opportunity to pursue his artistic career which led him to his appointment as an art director of the medical and technical division of a large international advertising agency.
History about the cards:
• The Kensington Sanatorium (New Life Clinic) was built in 1897 and was ran by French Sisters of The Holy Family Order from 1888 – 1915.
Scottish-Horse Memorial on Caledonia Hill was erected in memory of the officers and men who died during the Anglo Boer War in 1901-1902.
Friedenheim is the site of Julius Jeppe’s home. The gates can still be seen today at Jeppe High School for Boys.
Lion House was built from 1907 – 1909 by George Wollacott who was master decorator of stucco work.
Kensington Castle was built in 1911 by Samuel Scott Wilson a replica of the Rothesay-on-Bute Castle in Scotland.
Jonkershuis (Bezuidenhout Family Farm Homestead) is the oldest house in Johannesburg and dates back to 1852.
To commemorate Heritage Day there will also be a 5km heritage walk on Heritage Day, the Rand Lords Trail of the area.
The tour will include visiting the Lion House and Kensington Sanatorium as well as walking through parts of Troyville and Belgravia.
Also read: Why is Heritage Month important?
The starting point will be from the Kensington Bowls Club in Ivanhoe Street off Roberts Avenue in Kensington at 8.30 am.
Those who are interested can email Isabella.pingle@gmail.com about buying the cards.
All cards and prints will also be available for purchase on Heritage Day.
