In 2021 the Carnegie Corporation of New York celebrated its 110th anniversary. Perhaps this is sufficient reason to remind readers of the generous philanthropic endowments first made by Andrew Carnegie and thereafter by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, to South African libraries during the early years of the twentieth century.
Andrew Carnegie Portrait (Bill of Rights Institute)
In 1906, Vryheid became the first South African town to receive a financial grant from Andrew Carnegie for the establishment of a public library. By 1917, when the last endowment was made for a similar library in Krugersdorp, twelve South African towns had received financial assistance, totaling the not insignificant amount of $123 855, to establish free library services to their local communities.
These twelve libraries served their local communities faithfully for the next 35 years, until the promulgation of the Separate Amenities Act of 1953, limited their use to the White population only. By the early 1970’s, overtaken by a combination of demographic and technological developments, five of these old buildings had reached the end of their lifespan and were demolished. Fortunately, one hundred years later we can still admire and enjoy the remaining seven of these fine Edwardian buildings.
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie had a very personal interest in libraries. Being a ‘self-made man’, having made...
There surely cannot be many short walks, that match this one for its unique blend of fascinating architecture, history and of course, sublime views.
For my wife and I, no Cape Town holiday feels complete without walking this route at least several times. Although one can approach this walk from either end, we normally park at Kalk Bay and meander via Main Road to Muizenberg and back along the seaside walkway, just below the railway line. This walkway was created by the City Council, with generous financial assistance by local businessman and resident Mendel Kaplan.
When energetic, we walk a bit further along and then turn into Camp Street, past the Muizenberg Synagogue up to Boyes Drive and return on this elevated road, while enjoying the superb vista across False Bay.
1) Muizenberg Synagogue
The entrance to the Muizenberg Synagogue with its four columns and wide steps together with buttress-like projections on either side of the entrance with symmetrical and classical proportions, never fails to impress.
The plans for this synagogue were completed by architects Herbert Black & George Fagg and it officially opened on 17 January 1926 to great acclaim. Today, it is hard to imagine those halcyon years when during the December vacation season, the synagogue was overflowing with up-country congregants.
When the railway line from Cape Town reached Muizenberg in 1882, it immediately opened the warm waters of False Bay to day trippers and holiday makers. The establishment of a Village Management Board (1891-1895) and the Kalk...
[Originally published in 2014] Andrew Carnegie, an American philanthropist, wrote an article proclaiming “The Gospel of Wealth” and urged the wealthy to improve society. When he made the offer of a Library, Muizenberg, like many other villages, took advantage of his generosity. In 1910, The Carnegie Library replaced the first library in the Municipal offices.
The Carnegie Library was erected between the bungalow, ‘The Fort’, and the Post Office along Main Road, on the site of the Toll booth. The road to Simonstown (Main road) was a toll road administered by the VOC (incorrectly named Dutch East Indies Company).
1915 Survey showing Muizenberg Main Road
When the Carnegie Library became inadequate the books etc. were re-housed in the ex-Fire Station in Atlantic Road, which in turn had moved to a modern Fire Station in Main Road, Lakeside.
Coincidentally a member of the then SA Police, had been reconnoitering for a suitable site for a Cape Province, SA Police museum. He found the Carnegie Library building available with all of the requirements he was looking for. It had been used as a charge office so he approached the Dept. of Public Works and Land Affairs. The erf had previously been used by the Police (1898) and as it was being used by ‘Bosslapers’, they decided to re-utilise the property.
The South African Police Cultural History Museum, with...
