Between 1910 and 1943, five “Governors-General” represented the British reigning monarch in South Africa. Each Governor-General played the role of the personal representative of the British King, while the “High Commissioner” interacted with the South African government on political, economic and diplomatic issues.
Each of the five Governors-General visited Hermanus during his term of office, some travelling to our small town on several occasions. They spread the word about the attractions of the town by favourable comments to members of the top social circles in this country and abroad. Their views contributed to the public awareness and popularity of the town and thus to its development.
Viscount Buxton (Governor-General from 1914 to 1920) came to Hermanus immediately after arriving in South Africa and shocked the local community by preferring to camp outdoors, rather than stay in any of the six hotels operating at the time. He and his family roughed it at De Mond during the summer of 1914/1915. There exists a photograph of the family playing a ball game (probably cricket, to judge by Buxton’s blazer) in the largest open space among the milkwoods. Joey Luyt comments:
The Earl and Countess of Buxton spent a holiday camping at De Mond in 1914. John had helped with the camping arrangements and had supplied all the provisions required; they did their own cooking at the camp.
Viscount Buxton
Buxton’s successor...
