Govan Mbeki Road on a Sunday morning

I don't get down to Govan Mbeki Road that often and most of the time just driving through. A little while ago I was in the area on a Sunday morning which means it was nice and quiet with very few people around.

The Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin

Before the arrival of the British Settlers in 1820 the needs of the British garrison in Algoa Bay were served by chaplains in passing ships. By 1825 the town of Port Elizabeth had grown to about 500 people and Revd Francis McClelland was appointed Colonial Chaplain. The foundation stone for the Collegiate Church of St … Continue reading The Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin →

The 76 Youth remembered on Route 67

As one follows Route 67 from the city centre up towards the Donkin Reserve you pass the Public Library and St Mary's Cathedral before climbing a set of steps up to Winston Ntshona Street (previously Chapel Street). The art piece on the wall by the steps is a statement about the 76 generation (referring to the … Continue reading The 76 Youth remembered on Route 67 →

The Public Library renovation finally got going

The historic Port Elizabeth Public Library in the city centre has been closed to the public for over three years now with promises of renovations but excuses of no budget. Well, if you had to pass the library today you won't be able to see the scene in the photo. It is because the library … Continue reading The Public Library renovation finally got going →

Campanile Frieze and Wall of Texts

If you started a walk along Route 67 at the Campanile then the Campanile Frieze and Wall of Texts would be one of the first art pieces you'll see. Both of these are done by artist Mkhonto Gwazela. The frieze at the top celebrates the indigenous heritage of Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape … Continue reading Campanile Frieze and Wall of Texts →

St Mary’s front on Govan Mbeki Road

Anybody who knows Port Elizabeth and has been down to Govan Mbeki Road (Main Street) in the city centre, would know St Mary's Anglican Cathedral near the Public Library. But not just know it. Also be aware of the old United Building Society building that stands on the corner in front of it blocking a proper … Continue reading St Mary’s front on Govan Mbeki Road →

Donkin Reserve seen from the Campanile

And with that 2017 is gone and 2018 have arrived. I have seen a lot of people say that they are glad 2017 is over and done with and I took a little time to contemplate my own 2017. I came to the conclusion that it actually wasn't a bad year for me at all. … Continue reading Donkin Reserve seen from the Campanile →

The Prester John cross figures

Following on the post about the Cross of Prester John and the Portuguese Explorers between City Hall and the old Post Office building, I decided to post a more closeup picture of the two figures sitting inside the cross. The figures represent Prester John on the one side and a Portuguese explorer on the other side. There … Continue reading The Prester John cross figures →

The cross of Prester John and the Portuguese Explorers

Wedged in between City Hall and the Old Post Office building with the Feather Market Centre on the other side of the right is the Cross of Prester John. The monument has no significant link to Port Elizabeth other than the fact that it was a stop en route to the East for Portuguese explorers … Continue reading The cross of Prester John and the Portuguese Explorers →

An Afrikaans inscription in a Catholic Cathedral

Imagine my surprise when I found an Afrikaans inscription on a plaque behind the baptismal font in the St Augustine's Catholic Cathedral. Very unusual.