Flashback Friday: Talking Benoni – Now and Then
Delving into the dusty and historical archives the Benoni City Times’ new title website, www.benonicitytimes.co.za, takes you on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
The founder of the Facebook group that is creating nostalgia of a Benoni from days gone by, reuniting friends and educating youngsters in modern day Benoni writes for Flashback Friday this week about creating the “Benoni – Now and Then” Facebook page.
In 2005 just before Benoni celebrated the centenary in 2007, I was inspired to publish a pictorial book on Benoni’s past and present, so under my instigation a “Benoni Centenary Book” committee was formed.
Bob Allison, Paul and Gusta Botes, Paxie Kelsey, Ann Smith, Marian Hurly, Joe Civin, Keith Gardiner and the late Rentia Roodt, who was the Benoni librarian at the time, were all enthusiastic and motivated to get the book published.
We worked persistently collecting and compiling as much of the data as we could find.
The book never materialized due to expensive publishing costs and lack of sponsorships, so with all the data collected it was shelved.
I had the inspiration to start a group on Facebook called “Benoni – Now and Then” as I thought it would be a good forum to expose the history and pictures of Benoni that way. It would cost me nothing other than my time and effort to scan the information and manage the site.
So, in July 2013, “Benoni – Now and Then” was born.
It stayed in its infancy with little or no comments, then in March this year, it blossomed into what it is today with just under 5 000 members.
The forum is for Benoni guys and gals who love to reminisce on the past and present –remembering the wonderful times, places and people that have meant something in their lives.
My idea was to also reconnect old family and friends who have lost touch to rekindle their friendship here and afar.
I have stressed that “Benoni – Now and Then” is a clean community page with no advertising, so I have set a high standard that if any member reads something offensive in any way and I have missed the post, they are to let me know.
The form is for anyone who has an interest in Benoni history and to share old photographs, memories and stories of their life in our town called “The Jewel of the East”.
To view the group click here.
Glynis Cox Millett-Clay
Hi
I run Getpix a photographic school in Benoni. Pls can someone call me . I would like my students to photograph present images in situ, of past images of Benoni. I will gladly give these back to the community.
I see Bob Allison’s name, is he Steve Allison’s son?
Paula Rutherford 082 720 0585