Granite ball

A closer shot of the granite ball situated on the new parking area of the South End Museum (see here). The ball is one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy projects that were identified before the World Cup. It is felt by a lot of people that too much money was waisted on this … Continue reading Granite ball →

Window to the harbour

This narrow guage railway bridge (if I can call is that), crosses one of the old unused South End Roads below Beach Road close to the Humewood Station. I was just curious to see it from up close and ventured down to it. It made for a nice window towards the harbour.

South End Wild Fig Tree

The South End Wild Fig Tree stands about 100 meters from the South End Museum. The tree stands next to the then Chase Street. In the days of the old South End before the Groups Areas Act meant the removal of the people from the area the kids used to climb the tree while the … Continue reading South End Wild Fig Tree →

Rudolph Street Mosque

Standing at the bottom of Walmer Boulavard is one of two mosques that survived the demolition of old South End. In the early 1890's Imam Jalaludien Abrahams, together with his trustees, set about the task of having a mosque built as this was much needed in the area then. In 1893 the land was transferred … Continue reading Rudolph Street Mosque →

Old Walmer Road

In the days of old South End before most of it was demolished and the people forcibly removed from the area, Walmer Road was the main road running through South End towards the suburb of Walmer. In those days the main hotels and businesses of the area was found along this road. Today only a … Continue reading Old Walmer Road →

The Black Steps

Today is Friday the 13th, so I decided to post something haunting. One of the reminisces of old South End are what is know as the Black Steps. The steps lead up from the Baakens Valley into South End and passes the back of the historic St Mary's Cemetery. The people using the steps have … Continue reading The Black Steps →

Historic Muslim Cemetery

Driving down Brickmakers Kloof (and over the new bridge), the historic St Mary's Cemetery is situated on the right hand side across the road from the old bus sheds. Very few people notice that between the road and the St Mary's Cemetery there is a number of graves. They seem to be Muslim graves, so … Continue reading Historic Muslim Cemetery →

St Peter’s arch

The entrance to the ruined St Peter's Church in South End.The St Peter's Anglican Church in South End, Port Elizabeth was completed in 1877. Situated on the hill overlooking Algoa Bay, it was one of the important places of worship in early Port Elizabeth. Before the height of the Apartheid era the area of South … Continue reading St Peter’s arch →

Pier Street Mosque

The Masjied-ul-Aziz Mosque, better known as the Pier Street Mosque sits on a strip of land on the left hand side at the end of the Settlers Freeway. The mosque is one of the only buildings that were left standing when the rest of South End was demolished in the late 1960's / early 1970's. … Continue reading Pier Street Mosque →

Reconciliation walkway

This week 20 years ago, then president FW de Klerk made the speech in which he announced the planned unbanning of parties like the African National Congress (ANC) as well as the intended release of Nelson Mandela from prison. By chance a bit earlier in the week I discovered a paved path in South End … Continue reading Reconciliation walkway →