Remembering Africa
Jan 14th 2008, 2:14 pm
#61
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 554
Re: Remembering Africa
I used to love Roxies, one of my friends was in one of the bands that played their regularly, and we used to get in for free. Dont know if you are too young to have gone to the old doors, that was one of my fav's
Jan 16th 2008, 3:27 am
#62
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 136
Re: Remembering Africa
I remember the doors. I also used to go to Chillers student nites (when I was 16 though). still days of R2 a castle quart. Morgans Cat at the Waterfront- before it became too popular- walking around drinking beer from jugs on a Friday night before your Saturday rugby game.. Such great memories..
Jan 16th 2008, 3:43 am
#63
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: Remembering Africa
I remember the doors. I also used to go to Chillers student nites (when I was 16 though). still days of R2 a castle quart. Morgans Cat at the Waterfront- before it became too popular- walking around drinking beer from jugs on a Friday night before your Saturday rugby game.. Such great memories..
Jan 20th 2008, 5:31 am
#66
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Mandurah, WA since 10/2007
Posts: 487
Re: Remembering Africa
I remember as a small child, us going down to Umtali often, as we had close family friends there. The drive down Christmas Pass was outstandingly beautiful, as you wound your way slowly down the mountain, the city spread out before you.
We'd often go with various families and picnic up in the Vumba mountains, (Misty mountains because a mist always seemed to hang over them); driving up above the clouds, looking down on them, as they spread below us, like cotton balls - stopping sometimes to have a drink from the stream which flowed next to the road all the way down. There was a primary school up there, had been a boarding school, but had had to shut down during the war as it was too dangerous, but our friends knew the caretaker/owner (not sure who he was now), and we'd take tea on the landscaped grounds overlooking a part of paradise.
We'd often drive over the border before 1972, and stay on their family farms in Manica . I used to remember finding it strange that everywhere we went, we had two soldiers with big guns accompanying us. It was not yet part of our lives in Rhodesia at the time. The father of one was ambushed and killed a few weeks before Moz independence. I still recall the exact spot it happened at, as though it was today, though I was little more than a toddler at the time.
Living in the central part of the country most of my life, we didn't really experience much 'action'. I do remember us driving down to Salisbury to go to the OK Bazaars to get our school supplies before every term started. Standing in line with all the women and having a full body search, as they'd had countless bombs/bomb threats over the years.
Growing up on the farm for most of my life there, was paradise for the most part. Giraffe, baboons, pythons, leopard, kudu, buck, etc..etc....wandering around was just part of every day life. Driving to school every day - a distance of 30 km's or so, was like starring in our own Nat. Geo. documentary. Looking back, I'm amazed at what we took for granted.
Remembering being in First Form and being told by the teacher that we were getting a little Indian girl in the class, and for us to be nice to her. Looking back, it was no big deal to us kids. After the first week or so, she was just part of the class and the only thing that made her different were her curried sandwiches which we'd all fight over! She settled for peanut butter and apple jelly!.
Having terrorist attack drills in primary school, in case we were attacked. Of course us kids thought it was a bunch of fun. If only we knew. One of our classmates' parents were NGK missionaries and one day the headmaster came into the classroom and took her out. We were ten years old at the time. We never saw her again. Her parents had been going to some mission outside of town, and were killed by terrorists. We didn't understand much, but were saddened not to see her again.
Our boys went off to war at 16/17 some of them. Knew young men who were called up, were ambushed and shot, thankfully most survived, but some died. No one close to me, but mostly older kids of family friends, or older siblings of kids at school. Names went on a plaque in the school hall. Every year there'd be some new names added. It was sobering, and made us grow up pretty fast.
Being startled awake in my room at night, as a teen, hearing a noise, or the dogs barking and wondering if this was the night we were going to die. That this was the night we were under attack, played a big part for a few years until the war was truly over.
Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. I will borrow two words. 'Paradise Lost'.
We'd often go with various families and picnic up in the Vumba mountains, (Misty mountains because a mist always seemed to hang over them); driving up above the clouds, looking down on them, as they spread below us, like cotton balls - stopping sometimes to have a drink from the stream which flowed next to the road all the way down. There was a primary school up there, had been a boarding school, but had had to shut down during the war as it was too dangerous, but our friends knew the caretaker/owner (not sure who he was now), and we'd take tea on the landscaped grounds overlooking a part of paradise.
We'd often drive over the border before 1972, and stay on their family farms in Manica . I used to remember finding it strange that everywhere we went, we had two soldiers with big guns accompanying us. It was not yet part of our lives in Rhodesia at the time. The father of one was ambushed and killed a few weeks before Moz independence. I still recall the exact spot it happened at, as though it was today, though I was little more than a toddler at the time.
Living in the central part of the country most of my life, we didn't really experience much 'action'. I do remember us driving down to Salisbury to go to the OK Bazaars to get our school supplies before every term started. Standing in line with all the women and having a full body search, as they'd had countless bombs/bomb threats over the years.
Growing up on the farm for most of my life there, was paradise for the most part. Giraffe, baboons, pythons, leopard, kudu, buck, etc..etc....wandering around was just part of every day life. Driving to school every day - a distance of 30 km's or so, was like starring in our own Nat. Geo. documentary. Looking back, I'm amazed at what we took for granted.
Remembering being in First Form and being told by the teacher that we were getting a little Indian girl in the class, and for us to be nice to her. Looking back, it was no big deal to us kids. After the first week or so, she was just part of the class and the only thing that made her different were her curried sandwiches which we'd all fight over! She settled for peanut butter and apple jelly!.
Having terrorist attack drills in primary school, in case we were attacked. Of course us kids thought it was a bunch of fun. If only we knew. One of our classmates' parents were NGK missionaries and one day the headmaster came into the classroom and took her out. We were ten years old at the time. We never saw her again. Her parents had been going to some mission outside of town, and were killed by terrorists. We didn't understand much, but were saddened not to see her again.
Our boys went off to war at 16/17 some of them. Knew young men who were called up, were ambushed and shot, thankfully most survived, but some died. No one close to me, but mostly older kids of family friends, or older siblings of kids at school. Names went on a plaque in the school hall. Every year there'd be some new names added. It was sobering, and made us grow up pretty fast.
Being startled awake in my room at night, as a teen, hearing a noise, or the dogs barking and wondering if this was the night we were going to die. That this was the night we were under attack, played a big part for a few years until the war was truly over.
Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. I will borrow two words. 'Paradise Lost'.
I've gone all misty eyed. We lived in Umtali for most of the 70's and left for SA in 81. happy days.
Bruce.
Jan 20th 2008, 4:02 pm
#67
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: Remembering Africa
One of my favorite parts of the world bar none. It was a truly magical place. You were very lucky to have lived there. I have very happy memories. Last time I was in Umtali was in 1981.
Jan 21st 2008, 9:20 am
#68
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Mandurah, WA since 10/2007
Posts: 487
Re: Remembering Africa
Bruce
Jan 23rd 2008, 2:54 pm
#69
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
Re: Remembering Africa
Last edited by dinwiddie98; Jan 23rd 2008 at 2:56 pm.
Jan 23rd 2008, 10:01 pm
#70
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: Remembering Africa
Does anyone remember the Quiranell Hotel in Hillbrow and a club called the Dirtbox I think.Not that I ever went but my son and his crazy friends all used to trek to Joburg every Friday . He has only started to open up now and he is in his 40's about all the things they used to get up to!! But a great place to have fun apparently and I remember the Bellanapoli. Anyone ever go to the best Chinese in Joburg at Eastgate? The owner was called David and the food was sublime. XXDinwiddie
BellaNapoli was a legend.
Jan 24th 2008, 4:23 am
#71
Nuts and Bolts
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Palm Tree in the Snow
Posts: 2,116
Feb 1st 2008, 9:14 am
#72
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7
Remembering Africa
The White Horse Inn. Party central. Alway started out there as our 'base' then went on to other clubs around Joburg before returning back to the Horse. Sports Cafe in Sandton & the Balalaika Hotel were stops along the way, Chillers was on the way back to the Horse. Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Doors. Half the fun was talking crap in the car with your mates on the way to all the other places, playing your music as loud as possible. You see kids doing that today and you think they are a bunch of little Wa*@$rs. We were, but it was all good. There is a who remembers the White Horse in group on Facebook for those that are interested!
The Viper room in Rosebank always had some of the hottest chicks you had ever seen. Rosebank also had good clubs and chill out pubs (69 degrees, Pandoras box). The ninety's was the time of raves and Chill out rooms. The clothes and outfits were quite a spectacle , weird I enjoyed it so much as my music tastes were and still are rock based. Rave and trance were however powerful too, got you going until you had to stop from pure exhaustion.
Awesome!
The Viper room in Rosebank always had some of the hottest chicks you had ever seen. Rosebank also had good clubs and chill out pubs (69 degrees, Pandoras box). The ninety's was the time of raves and Chill out rooms. The clothes and outfits were quite a spectacle , weird I enjoyed it so much as my music tastes were and still are rock based. Rave and trance were however powerful too, got you going until you had to stop from pure exhaustion.
Awesome!
Feb 10th 2008, 8:29 pm
#73
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2006
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 75
Re: Remembering Africa
Damn I am sorry I missed this thread (too much celebrating the Bok win @ RWC & rubbing it in on some of the other threads on BE !
)
Thanks for the memories guys, I remember most places mentioned (some better than others
), with a lump in the throat & a twinkle in the eye.
How about Ice skating at The Carlton Center & Corlett City
or jumping in your chorrie either a Ford escort one six double oh sport or XR3(XRRRFRRREE!) & going to the The Veldskoen(still open)/ Topstar/ 4-ways or 5-Star drive inn followed by a stop at a Roadhouse like Dolls House in Louis Botha Ave or the White Pigeon in Randburg for a double thick malt !
50c movies, cooldrink & popcorn at the Gala or Metro in Randburg on a Saturday AM
I started jolling as a real laaitie in the late 70's !
at places like the "Sleepy Hollow" in Rivonia and the "Oxford Hotel" in Rosebank,then "Sachas" & Hyde Park hotel in Hyde Park, What about "Spats" at the Sandton Sun ? "Smugglers Inn" in Windsor, "The Radium Beer Hall" and "Springsteens" in Louis Botha then Randburg, "Jamesons" & "The Yard of Ale" & "The Dawsons Hotel" in Town, The Chelsea Hotel "Underground" in Hillbrow and "Speakeasy","Rumours" "Cafe Bijou", "Tandour" in Rocky Street ,Yeoville.
What about The Wits Free Peoples Concerts first held at Milner Park (the old venue for the Rand Easter Show) then later moved to Frankenwald.
The happening clubs in town like DV8, Scants, Fancy That, The Res, The Junction, Mandy's aka Idols aka ESP
I kind of gave up (jolling) when the "NRG" ran out
at the BIG raves in the mid/late 90's Mother, ICE etc
How about the smell of a veld the day after it has burned ?
Fishing (& other mindless activities?) in the Transkei at Port St Johns, Imbotyi, Hole in the Wall & Coffee Bay.
I do remember a hell of a New Years eve party in the late 80's in Zim (Troutbeck, near Montclair Casino in the Nyanga area) where a massive marquee was erected & went on for a couple of days after an idilic week spent fishing( & sucking down Zambezi Lagers) on Lake Kariba with some "when we's"!
Springbok and LM Radio and the early SABC television there is a wonderful website where you can find many old sa radio & tv sound bites called "pumamouse" to go there click here
I went to the UK for a few years in the early 90's but was lured back for the RWC in '95 and am still here !, I can tell you for free that a lot has changed
time to try something else and on our way to Aus (thanks to some of the great advice I have received here at BE) ...
)Thanks for the memories guys, I remember most places mentioned (some better than others
), with a lump in the throat & a twinkle in the eye.How about Ice skating at The Carlton Center & Corlett City
or jumping in your chorrie either a Ford escort one six double oh sport or XR3(XRRRFRRREE!) & going to the The Veldskoen(still open)/ Topstar/ 4-ways or 5-Star drive inn followed by a stop at a Roadhouse like Dolls House in Louis Botha Ave or the White Pigeon in Randburg for a double thick malt !
50c movies, cooldrink & popcorn at the Gala or Metro in Randburg on a Saturday AM
I started jolling as a real laaitie in the late 70's !
at places like the "Sleepy Hollow" in Rivonia and the "Oxford Hotel" in Rosebank,then "Sachas" & Hyde Park hotel in Hyde Park, What about "Spats" at the Sandton Sun ? "Smugglers Inn" in Windsor, "The Radium Beer Hall" and "Springsteens" in Louis Botha then Randburg, "Jamesons" & "The Yard of Ale" & "The Dawsons Hotel" in Town, The Chelsea Hotel "Underground" in Hillbrow and "Speakeasy","Rumours" "Cafe Bijou", "Tandour" in Rocky Street ,Yeoville.What about The Wits Free Peoples Concerts first held at Milner Park (the old venue for the Rand Easter Show) then later moved to Frankenwald.
The happening clubs in town like DV8, Scants, Fancy That, The Res, The Junction, Mandy's aka Idols aka ESP
I kind of gave up (jolling) when the "NRG" ran out
at the BIG raves in the mid/late 90's Mother, ICE etc How about the smell of a veld the day after it has burned ?
Fishing (& other mindless activities?) in the Transkei at Port St Johns, Imbotyi, Hole in the Wall & Coffee Bay.
I do remember a hell of a New Years eve party in the late 80's in Zim (Troutbeck, near Montclair Casino in the Nyanga area) where a massive marquee was erected & went on for a couple of days after an idilic week spent fishing( & sucking down Zambezi Lagers) on Lake Kariba with some "when we's"!
Springbok and LM Radio and the early SABC television there is a wonderful website where you can find many old sa radio & tv sound bites called "pumamouse" to go there click here
I went to the UK for a few years in the early 90's but was lured back for the RWC in '95 and am still here !, I can tell you for free that a lot has changed
time to try something else and on our way to Aus (thanks to some of the great advice I have received here at BE) ...
Feb 11th 2008, 3:40 am
#74
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 124
Re: Remembering Africa
Jeez, I had forgotten all the names of those places. Getting too old, can barely remember what I did a week ago!
What great memories, I have decided to get the photo albums out and shock my daughters with my 80's wild hair and clothes.
Remember "Sleepy Hotel" in Rivonia well and the Hyde Park Hotel. Anyone remember or visit a pub near Cresta Shopping Centre called Warriors Arms, in the 80's it was a really great night out and we used to spend week nights there till it closed at about 12. Don't know how I used to be able to work the next day!
What great memories, I have decided to get the photo albums out and shock my daughters with my 80's wild hair and clothes.
Remember "Sleepy Hotel" in Rivonia well and the Hyde Park Hotel. Anyone remember or visit a pub near Cresta Shopping Centre called Warriors Arms, in the 80's it was a really great night out and we used to spend week nights there till it closed at about 12. Don't know how I used to be able to work the next day!
Feb 12th 2008, 12:02 am
#75
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: Remembering Africa
Talk about closing at 12! I remember going to a club in Durbs on the beachfront years ago - can't recall the name, about 1984 or so, and freaking that they closed at midnight - we'd only been there 15 mins!!! The place was a bore for teens in those days.
A few of you posting here are obvious laaitjies and making me feel quite old!!!!
I used to go skating at the Horizon Ice Rink out in Roodepoort, anyone remember that? And of course, heading for the Topstar as a late teen, in fact, I once nearly drove off the hill on the way down, was going way too fast!!! Ah, the days when you could walk around safely at night in the middle of Joeys - my one college mate and I used to sneak out of class to go to the top of the Carlton, the wimpy for a milkshake when I first moved down south from Rhodies. Loving this thread
Nice to meet you pisces
A few of you posting here are obvious laaitjies and making me feel quite old!!!!
I used to go skating at the Horizon Ice Rink out in Roodepoort, anyone remember that? And of course, heading for the Topstar as a late teen, in fact, I once nearly drove off the hill on the way down, was going way too fast!!! Ah, the days when you could walk around safely at night in the middle of Joeys - my one college mate and I used to sneak out of class to go to the top of the Carlton, the wimpy for a milkshake when I first moved down south from Rhodies. Loving this thread
Nice to meet you pisces