Long before the Cape’s vineyards became synonymous with wealth, prestige and international trade, its agricultural economy was being shaped by people whose names were seldom given prominence in the histories…
Born into slavery, Maria Everts became a prosperous landowner and wine producer whose family would later be closely associated with Constantia. Her remarkable rise, however, carries a darker truth: she…
He helped put Constantia wine on the world stage, but the empire behind his success was built within a society sustained by slavery. There is a familiar story about the…
How a curious three-cornered stamp issued in Cape Town in 1853 became one of the world’s most famous pieces of postal history CAPE TOWN, 1853 — There was nothing particularly…
Origins and spread The fire was first spotted on 1 February 1869 burning in the Meiringspoort area of the Swartberg Mountains, in the Klein Karoo. The whole subcontinent had been…
A reconstruction of the murder of Susanna Magdalena van der Linde, the trial of Marlene Lehnberg and Marthinus Choegoe, and the tragedy that followed By The Cape Chronicle Investigative Desk…
The story of David Samuel Sampson traces one family’s passage across continents, faiths, and the shifting boundaries of race in the early twentieth century DURBANVILLE, Cape Colony — 1872. In…
Cape Premier implicated in failed Transvaal invasion as Britain demands answers By our Political CorrespondentCape Town, January 1896 The political foundations of the Cape Colony have been shaken following the…
Special Correspondence of the Cape Chronicle Cape Town, 1885 The question of Bechuanaland has entered a decisive stage, as Her Majesty’s Government has resolved to take direct action in the…
Written by Jane Silberbauer The Cape Chronicle, July 1860 It has long been the custom of this journal to concern itself with matters of substance rather than of fashion, and…
Cape Chronicle – Special Historical Feature PAARL, August 1875. — Nearly seventy years have passed since the British assumed permanent control of the Cape in 1806, and with that change…
CAPE TOWN — The Cape Tramways group entered a new era of public transport during the early 1950s with the introduction of underfloor-engined, straight-framed Leyland Olympic and Worldmaster buses. While…
Each year on 18 July, South Africans and people across the world pause to celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, whose unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and…
Many residents of Durbanville know that their town was once called Pampoenkraal, but fewer know the story of the man whose name it bears. Sir Benjamin D’Urban was one of…
Charles Davidson Bell, who served as chairman of the Mutual Life Assurance Society between 1865 and 1873, was by any measure one of the Cape’s most remarkable nineteenth-century figures. A…
Special Historical Feature — Cape Town, circa 1908 Cape Town has long stood at the southern gateway of empire, welcoming steamships, telegraphs, and the latest mechanical wonders from Europe. Now…
J.J. du Preez High School (also known as JJ du Preez or PDHS) was a secondary school in Parow, Western Cape, South Africa. It no longer operates under that name…
By Our Business Correspondent Bellville’s story begins long before its industrial boom. Originally known as Twelfth Mile Stone (or “Hardekraaltjie”), the area was established in 1861 as a key stop…
By Deon van Zyl Cape Chronicle Staff Reporter STIKLAND INDUSTRIAL, BELLVILLE — 2007 The steady hum of machinery echoed through Stikland Industrial this morning as the doors of National Manhole…
‘n Gedenkteken vir Afrikaans Paarl, 10 Oktober 1975. – Onder helder lentelug en met die majestueuse Drakensteinberge as agtergrond, is die Afrikaanse Taalmonument vandag op Paarlberg met groot plegtigheid ingewy.…
CAPE TOWN, 6 September 1966. Dr. Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, Prime Minister of the Republic, was stabbed to death on the floor of the House of Assembly shortly after 2 p.m.…
Norvalspont, Cape Province, August 1964 — A quiet journey along the lonely tarred road between Norvalspont and Venterstad ended in a frightening collision during the early hours of the morning…
By Victor Achebe, Staff Reporter Adderley Street, Cape Town, 17 February 1947 Cape Town today welcomed Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, together with Princess Elizabeth and Princess…
Government Restores Standard Time as Wartime Measure Comes to a Close By a Cape Chronicle Staff Reporter Cape Town, 12 March 1944 — The Union Government has announced that Daylight…
Government Announces New ‘Daylight Saving Time’ as Wartime Economy Measure By a Cape Chronicle Staff Reporter Cape Town, 13 September 1942 — For the first time in the history of…
Crowds Gather as Mr. Meyer Lewis Launches New Store for Working Families Cape Town, 1934. Woodstock was astir from an early hour this morning as residents, tradesmen, and curious passers-by…
By Isabella Maria de Villiers Cape Town, April 1934 — Under clear autumn skies and with the grand slopes of Table Mountain standing solemnly behind the proceedings, a distinguished assembly…
Parliament Approves Historic Measure – A New Chapter Opens in South African Public Life Cape Town, 8 May 1925 — By Our Parliamentary Correspondent A moment of profound historical importance…
The Cape Chronicle – by Special Correspondence Klawer, 1 July 1914 After many years of anticipation by the farming community of the Olifants River Valley, the shrill whistle of the…
A welcome addition to the northern road From our own correspondent KLAWER, Saturday. A notable occasion in this district took place today with the formal opening of the new Klawer…
This energetic little town, 18 miles from Cape Town and six miles from Bellville Station, lies at the heart of a thriving farming community. Its annual harvests of oats and…
THE FUTURE OF THE FOUR COLONIES TO BE CONSIDERED From Our Political Correspondent Durban, October 13, 1908. A gathering of uncommon consequence assembled in this city yesterday, when the representatives…
Cape Chronicle Special Correspondent Clarens, Switzerland – Thursday, 14 July 1904 The shutters remain half-closed at the modest lakeside residence overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Geneva. Outside, a solemn…
KALK BAY, Saturday. One of the most exciting maritime incidents witnessed upon the False Bay coast for some considerable time occurred this morning, when the iron steam trawler Rex, whilst…
Durbanville, November 1901. A new chapter in the history of Durbanville was opened this week with the formal establishment of the Municipality of Durbanville, the village having now been invested…
Cape Chronicle Special Correspondent — January 1896 Johannesburg, Transvaal — A dramatic military expedition intended to support the grievances of the Uitlander population of Johannesburg has ended in complete failure,…
Half a Century of Faithful Service to the Colony In this year of Her Majesty’s glorious Golden Jubilee, our Colony has another proud milestone to celebrate. Fifty years ago, on…
By Dr. Edmund Harrington, Historian, Cape Town The Cape Chronicle, October 1886 The recent reports from the Transvaal of rich gold-bearing reefs on the Witwatersrand have set the colonies ablaze…
From our Correspondent — Somerset West, April 1883 A feeling of sincere sorrow has spread throughout the village and surrounding districts upon the announcement of the death of the Rev.…
Cape Town, 9 June 1882 After years of persistent agitation and repeated appeals from the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of the Colony, the Parliament of the Cape Colony has at last sanctioned…
Cape Town, Tuesday, 27 September 1881 A sorrow of the most grievous nature has cast a deep shadow over Sea Point and indeed over the whole of Cape Town, following…
By our correspondent in the field. I write these lines from the dusty veldt under a scorching African sun, with the crack of rifles still echoing in my ears and…
BASUTOLAND, 20 September 1880. The mountain fastnesses of Basutoland have become the scene of a grave and determined conflict, as the Government’s attempt to enforce the surrender of firearms has…
Amid continued commercial expansion within the Cape Colony, a new estate agency, Steer & Co, has commenced business in Cape Town, reflecting the increasing importance of professional property services to…
**Special Dispatch from the Zulu Frontier** **29 January 1879** By Our Correspondent on the Scene ISANDLWANA, ZULULAND — In a stunning reversal that has shaken the foundations of British authority…
If Sir Theophilus Shepstone’s proclamation of April 1877 was intended to quiet the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek, it has instead awakened a deeper and more enduring resistance among its leaders. The…
Sir Theophilus Shepstone’s arrival in the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek was no ordinary diplomatic errand. In 1876, Lord Carnarvon gave him a special commission to discuss federation with the Transvaal government,…
Paarl, Friday. — A gathering of gentlemen assembled this day at the residence of Mr. Gideon Malherbe in Paarl for the purpose of forming a society devoted to the advancement…
Twisfontein, Saturday, 16 August 1873 — Tempers erupted once again this morning as neighbouring farmers W. Baard of Heuningklip and C. Loubser of Witteklip confronted one another over the ownership…
CAPE TOWN — In a moment that may redefine the future of governance at the southern tip of Africa, John Charles Molteno has today assumed office as the first Prime…
