#journeyto100years: The year was 1957 … when locals had a ‘ball’
Marion fondly remembers each of them receiving a posy of flowers from the mayoress to carry as they entered.
Marion Rossouw (82), a Brentwood Park resident, recently shared her memory of being featured in the City Times as a debutant attending a charity ball that the mayoress at the time, Mayoress Howie, was hosting.
Howie was married to mayor Ron Hilton Howie, who was the mayor of Benoni a few times. But during 1956/57 of his reign, the mayoress had organised this event to raise funds for her chosen charities.
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“I was invited by the mayoress to become a deb,” explained Marion.
“All the debs gathered at the town hall to be presented to the honoured guests.
“We arrived with our beaus (a boyfriend or male admirer) dressed for the black-tie event, wearing white dresses and long white gloves.”
Marion fondly remembers each of them receiving a posy of flowers from the mayoress to carry as they entered.
“We entered the Benoni Town Hall and lined up for the honoured guests to pass through,” she said.
“After we had been presented, performing the practised curtsey, we joined our partners for supper and dance.”
Marion and her friend Connie had a cake donated to them by Anglo Swiss for them to raise funds by selling raffle tickets for the cake.
“My friend Connie and I sold raffle tickets at two shillings each,” she said.
“At the end of the fund-raising, we had raised the princely sum of 10 pounds each, which was a lot of money back then.”
The evening remains a very fond memory in Marion’s mind.
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She reminisces through them with a smile on her face.
“I wore a ball dress made by my mother,” she explained.
“It had a lace top with a sweetheart neckline and a full skirt of net layers.
“I don’t remember eating anything. It was probably cold meats and salads.
“My fondest memory took place before the ball. Mayoress Howie sent the mayoral car, a black Austin Princess, with her chauffeur to fetch us from JCE for rehearsals.
“We felt like royalty and waved regally at passersby.”
Marion loves her town and wishes the City Times a very happy 100th birthday.
“I have lived and taught in Benoni for many years, so I love to see news about old friends and memories,” she explained.
“There are many memories recorded in the City times and I wish them many more years of making happy memories for their readers.”
