Below is the transcript of a talk delivered by Oscar Norwich, Founder and Chairman of the Johannesburg Historical Foundation. It was broadcast over the English Programme of the SABC in October 1971. Thank you to the Norwich Family for giving us permission to publish.

As this is the first of a series of talks on the Johannesburg Historical Society, I felt that as Chairman I would attempt to indicate how the Society came into being, what it is, what are its aim and objects, its future research and lecture programme. Some two years ago a letter appeared in the Johannesburg “Star” inviting members of the Johannesburg Public to assist the writer of this letter to reconstitute an Historical Society of Johannesburg which had been defunct.

A public meeting was eventually held at which a number of interested people and representatives of various Businesses, Trades and Professions attended.

This renewed interest after a number of previous attempts to form such a Society had failed, suggested a series of preliminary meetings until eventually a Steering Committee was appointed to formulate a Constitution, outlining its main aims and objects. A properly constituted Executive Committee was eventually appointed and to launch the inauguration of this newly established Society, now officially named the Johannesburg Historical Society, the then Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Sam Moss, on the 23rd May 1969, opened an exhibition on old Johannesburg in the foyer of the Johannesburg Public Library illustrated by a series of interesting and historical photographs and objects.

 

Old photograph of the Johannesburg Public Library (South African Builder Magazine)

 

Together with this Exhibition “A Recorded Slide Programme” was produced illustrating “Glimpses of Old Johannesburg.” This slide programme was submitted to much public interest in that it has already been shown publicly and privately to a large number of organisations.

What has the Society achieved? What are its future plans? The aims and objects can be succinctly described by the three “R’s,” Researching, Recording and Restoration.

To achieve these objects a number of sub-committees have been established each with its own Convenor to deal with the history of Mining, Commerce and Industry, the Stock Exchange and to inquire into our early Theatre, Arts and Music and the early development of Education, Medicine and the Human Sciences.

 

Drawing of the Third Johannesburg Stock Exchange Building (Philip Bawcombe)

 

We have also established an Archival and Publication sub-committee and in the name of the Society a Bulletin or Journal as a vehicle to publish our Researches and Reminiscences.

The Executive Committee has decided to hold annually at least four public lectures of particular interest to the history of our City. Water Year was celebrated by the Chief Engineer of the Rand Water Board, Mr. Labum who spoke on the “History of the Water Supply to Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand”. This proved to be a most scholarly and particularly interesting talk illustrated by a series of fascinating and historical photographs and charts.

 

Rand Water Board Building (South African Builder Magazine)

 

The following week a presentation was delivered by the late Professor Fassler on “A case for the Preservation of the Old Rissik Street Post Office” and with his usual thorough researches and knowledge he made an excellent case for the preservation of this Grand Old Building.

 

Rissik Street Post Office (From Mining Camp to Metropolis)

 

Following this talk Mr. W. Carr, well known as the ex Director of the Non-European Affairs Department of our City Council spoke on the 1922 Strike a milestone in Johannesburg’s history and through which he himself lived as a young teenager.

 

Sandbag Barrier at Johannesburg City Hall in 1922

 

Recently in June of this year Miss Anna Smith, our well known Director of the Africana Museum and City Librarian, provided us with a most erudite talk on “The History of Trees in Johannesburg.” Mrs. Esme Lownds, a well known Barberton born pioneer, lectured to the society on 'Early Barberton' which proved to be most knowledgeable and highly amusing.

 

Rimer's Creek, Barberton

 

Miss Mary Lucas, Assistant Librarian of the Witwatersrand University Medical School Library, spoke on a most interesting facet of Johannesburg's early Medical Practice from 1886-1896.

As regards future projects our society is embarking on the establishment of an Historical Foundation to include Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand whereby it is hoped sufficient funds will be donated and collected for the restoration of our historical landmarks. It is also our earnest desire to establish, as soon as practically possible, a journal or bulletin to record our proceedings.

 

The Society created the journal 'Between the Chains'

 

Following on the success of our “Recorded Slide Programme of Glimpses of Old Johannesburg” our Executive Committee decided to recommend the production of a truly historical documentary film of the history of this City of Gold. This requires funds and a deputation from our Executive Committee has been successful in obtaining a substantial grant from the Johannesburg City Council.

About the author: Dr. Oscar Norwich was a medical doctor and passionate collector who focused on African maps and Johannesburg history. As founder of the Johannesburg Historical Foundation, he led city tours and tirelessly sought rare historical items related to Johannesburg. In 1986, he published a large folio-sized book of his Johannesburg postcard collection to commemorate the city's centenary. Norwich also authored several books on African and Southern African maps. His significant map collection was eventually acquired by Stanford University in the USA, though it remains accessible to scholars online.