A patriotic look back at the rich history of Dundee

Most Dundonians can never be accused of not being patriotic.
They love their town, and none so much as Stuart Clarke.
Although the 73-year-old left South Africa for San Diego, California in 1986, he has always been very nostalgic about the town he grew up in.
This has culminated in a self-published book, Dundee Through the Mists of Time – his reflections of growing up in Dundee in the 1950s and 60s.
Stuart said the idea of writing a book was prompted by his starting a website (www.dundeenatal.com) 10 years ago.
“I had gathered so much information and photographs on that site, which I was scared to lose if the site crashed or something. So I decided to put everything in print from for the sake of posterity,” said Stuart, who was recently back to town while on holiday with his wife, Rene.

Although born in Pietermaritzburg, Stuart moved with his parents, George and Daphne to Dundee when he was just two.

His dad was with renowned builders, Johnston and Keith.
Stuart recounts games children played before the advent of PlayStation – games like Red Rover, fly, cowboys and crooks and of course, hide-and-seek.

He also names beloved teachers at the schools, complete with class photographs.
“Those were halcyon days in Dundee, where children happily walked the street or rode their bicycles in complete safety.”
Stuart also writes how world trends of the time, such as the emergence of rock and roll, films and fashion impacted on the youth, who ‘hung out’ at the Cozy Café to listen to the latest records.
“Live theatre at the old Boswells Building was part of the social fabric, and the plays were huge events in the town.”
Also listed in Stuart’s book are businesses which have long since faded away: Dumain Motors, Corner Service Station and BJ Motors.
The Royal Country Inn still survives, and Stuart said his father helped build the new façade in the 50s.
But why go to all this trouble?

“I am a sentimental old fool really. I love Dundee and still keep in touch with friends.
“After 1959, I attended boarding school in Durban and was thereafter a visitor to Dundee during the holidays.”
Stuart later completed his military service and studied at the then Natal University for a law degree.
He worked as an attorney in Durban from 1970 until 1986, when he immigrated following PW Botha’s infamous Rubicon speech.

Ironically, Stuart married a girl with plenty of Dundee connections – Rene van Vuuren schooled at the then Holy Rosary Convent (now Pro Nobis), and the couple have a son and a daughter.

“Driving through Dundee two weeks ago, I was very impressed at how the town has at least been maintained, unlike many other small towns.
“The verges are cut and it is relatively clean. I was also glad to see the golf club has been renovated and is so much bigger than it was.”
The book, he added, was ‘unashamedly full of nostalgia and of people and places and institutions and events of Dundee which I hold dear’.
And with patriots like Stuart Clarke, Dundee’s proud history is in good hands.

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Restoring history as only Dundee can

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