‘A Town Like No Other’ travels the world
'So far books have been sent to Connecticut in the US, Australia and soon New Zealand.'
Who would have thought that a book about the history of Randfontein could be found in bookcases all over South Africa, as well as a few in towns and cities overseas.
The book, titled: A Town Like No Other – more than 75 years of history, was published by the Randfontein Publicity Association (formerly known as the Randfontein Festival Committee) in 2004 to commemorate the town’s 75th birthday.
Local author, Hilton Hamann, was commissioned to research and write the book in late 2003 and the book was launched at the Randfontein Show in February 2004.
“Besides the important history of Randfontein, our aim was to make the book entertaining and interesting as our town is full of rich stories and they needed to be told,” said Marcelle Mans, RPA managing director.
Hundreds of copies have been sold to people who live in Randfontein and every year around the time of the Randfontein Show (February/March), there is a swell in demand for copies of the book as it is an ideal reference book for school projects about the town’s history.
“With the advent of social media, in particular a popular Facebook page: I lived in Randfontein and Survived, we have had a number of enquiries about the book from former residents who are scattered all over the world.
“So far books have been sent to Connecticut in the USA, Australia and one will soon be winging its way to New Zealand. On the South African continent A Town Like No Other can be found in homes in Bryanston, Sandton, Randburg, Florida, Germiston, Ramsgate in Kwazulu-Natal, Cape Town and St. Helena Bay in the Western Cape.”
About the book:
The book, “A Town Like No Other” tells the story of events from 1837 through to 2004, the year Randfontein celebrated its 75th anniversary as an independent municipality.
Snippets:
• It was in Randfontein that Boer Commandos attacked Leander Star Jameson’s raiders during the botched Jameson Raid and killed four troopers just across the road from the present day Uncle Harry’s Roadhouse. The incident set in motion processes that led to the Anglo Boer war and changed world events.
• Yet Randfontein’s history could have been completely different had it not been for an angry rinkhals. The snake caused Cecil John Rhodes’ horse to throw him while he was in the area considering buying the gold-rich farms of the region. He was so spooked he decided there and then not to exercise his options and pursued other interests in Johannesburg or Kimberly. Who knows how things would have turned out had Rhodes been running the show here rather than his arch rival JB Robinson.
Copies of the book are still available from the Randfontein Publicity Association office, Greenhills Sport Stadium, Homestead Avenue during office hours at only R100 each. Postage or courier costs excluded.
• Details: 011 412 2878/1562 or via email at joy@randfonteininfo.co.za
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