Bluff news from the 1950s – Part 9
Researched and compiled by Duncan Du Bois
A plea for racial tolerance
A DECISION by the minister of the Interior (Home Affairs), Dr TE Donges, to permit a holiday home for coloured children on the Bluff met with opposition from Bluff Councillor Spanier Marson at a council meeting in September 1956.
He cited a council memorandum which favoured the Bluff as a white residential suburb and recommended the area between Amanzimtoti and Umkomaas for the siting of the holiday home.
Of significance, however, were the voices of moderation in support of minister Donges’ decision. Councillor Leo Boyd, a former mayor, said: “At this time it is very necessary to show the greatest amount of tolerance in race relations and I feel this is an opportunity for the city council to set a good example…. there is little enough opportunity if you are a coloured child and you want to go on holiday. Europeans in Africa will find the need of having the coloured people with them one day.”
But Boyd’s appeal failed to sway opinion and the matter was referred back to the General Purposes Committee. A month later it was back before the council where it was proposed that the minister withdraw his permit for a coloured children’s holiday home on the Bluff. Again indecision prevailed. The matter dragged on and the last report in the cuttings file is dated 6 May 1957. It was headlined: “City council divided on race zoning.”
Deferred decision-making by the Group Areas Board on race zoning of residential areas placed the proposed coloured holiday home in a legal and political limbo. But there were strong voices of criticism. Councillor JC Bolton slated his council colleagues for failing to exercise “equity, justice and fairness” towards non-Europeans. Councillor Richard Carte agreed and deplored the lack of amenities for the coloured community.
A township within a city
In September 1955, the town planning committee produced a report which projected Bluff development over a 21 year period.
It noted that the Bluff was a destination of choice among young married couples which was resulting in rapid building development – 685 houses, 18 maisonettes and 12 blocks of flats were built between 1953 and 1955. Based on that trend, the report envisaged that by 1976 there would be some 26,000 white Bluff residents whose number would include about 7,800 school children.
In October 1955, the council approved the town planning report and acclaimed the future Bluff as “a model township within a city.” Compared to the shopping centres that now exist on the Bluff, the 1955 report’s allocation of just 26 acres for shopping centres has proved very naïve.
The funicular
Until it ceased operating over 40 years ago, there was an electrically operated cable car or funicular sited opposite the intersection of Airlie Road and Marine Drive in Brighton Beach.
For five cents per passenger, it provided a quick and convenient way to reach Brighton Beach and the tidal pool from Marine Drive. The alternative for pedestrians was the steep staircase off the lower end of Airlie Road.
Late in 1956, an exchange of correspondence in the Mercury concerned the state of the funicular. Operated by the Harcourt Hotel, its service had been halted by the need for repairs. A petition signed by 132 local residents asked the council to take over its operation and cited the attraction of the funicular to visitors. One letter writer referred to it as “not so much a need as a blessing, especially to old folks.”
But city engineer, Alec Kinmont was opposed to the council taking over the funicular on the grounds that it was uneconomic in terms of having to provide maintenance and a full-time attendant.
In case you missed it, read the series here:
Bluff News from the 1950s – PART 1
Bluff News from the 1950s – PART 2
Bluff News from the 1950s – PART 3
Bluff News from the 1950s – PART 4
Bluff News from the 1950s – PART 5
Bluff News from the 1950s – PART 6
Bluff News from the 1950s – PART 7
Bluff News from the 1950s – PART 8
DID YOU KNOW?
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