Table of Projects : 2018

The aim is to document histories of all buildings in High Street and residents at certain periods. The findings will be published and used in the proposed Municipal Revitalization of the CBD.The following data has been collected:(i) Date of survey of all plots and names of first owners and type of business(ii) Details of all present owners, type of businesses and date of purchase

(iii) Oral identification of all plots and residents in about 1950

(iv) Interviews with 3 people who lived at one time or another in High Street

(v) Collection of all references to High Street in general historical works

The aim is to create a record of all businesses operating in Hermanus in the period 1857 to 2000. At least the following data will be recorded: name of business; type of business; individuals/families involved in business; location of business; period of operation.

On the basis of this data an analysis of the nature of the economy of Hermanus to show how it is in danger of over-development and inappropriate development.

The following data has been collected:

• A register of 165 businesses in operation from 1857 to the 1970s. Data after that is available from other sources. In most cases all the categories referred to in the High street project have been recorded.
• All existing reference to businesses in historical publications have been collected.
• Case studies of towns that failed to control development have been identified and studied.

‘All history depends ultimately upon its social purpose’ -Paul Thomson

Primary aim

• To learn more about the history of Zwelihle, a new township created in the early 1960’s for black people who were forcibly removed from Mount Pleasant, another suburb where they had lived in Hermanus.
• To appreciate the community’s experiences using oral history as a research method that records spoken memories and stories of people in an interview situation.
• Documentary history forms an important part of this research as it impinges on a geographical space and thus the relationship between space and identity and space and the community

Process to date

1. Interview schedule designed and revised
2. 2 pilot interviews – 2 people interviewed.
3. Local councillors informed.

1. 14 people interviewed and 2 group interviews.
2. Interviews transcribed
3. Archival research  (Hermanus Times, Municipality, Local reports)
4. Researching information about the political historical context
5. Older maps sourced.
6. Writing up commenced.
7. Presentations to Histroy Society and U3A
8. Publication in Process

Sourcing historical information relevant to Hermanus from Hermanus Times. 1949-2000

Archive project: 2017, 2018

Blaise Jones

Commencing from 1949 Blaise has examined news articles in the Hermanus Newspapers and photographed relevant articles to create word documents that researchers can now source. These are in chronological order. He has also now included the Caledon Venster which started in 1926 and has material relevant to Hermanus. The Hermanus newspapers have had 3 names: Hermanus News, Times of Hermanus and Walker Bay and today it is known as Hermanus Times. This work“will be available’ in 2019 as its only “complete” from 1949 to 1966 so far.

Sport is not included in the archives

Background
Carol Hofmeyr pioneered the Keiskamma Art Project in the Eastern Cape. Members of this project have worked together for 20 years and have produced exquisite art works, several of which have been exhibited internationally. Carol was invited to FynArts festival in Hermanus in 2016.

Keiskamma Art project brought their Keiskamma altarpiece to FynArts. Their group also worked in Zwelihle at the Youth Cafe making a quilt which told the stories of both the Eastern Cape and of those living in Zwelihle. In this short period the members of Keiskamma Art project established connections with people living in Zwelihle and many of these remain in touch through face book. Unfortunately, due to funding constraints they were unable to come again to continue working with the people of Zwelihle as intended.

During the June 2018 FynArts festival, concerned members of the white community approached Keiskamma Art Project to see if they could continue or renew their work in Zwelihle. A project was considered.

Proposed project.

After further discussions it was decided to hold a workshop in the Youth Café on 16 October.
The basic outline of this would be to introducing the group:

• To the history of Zwelihle to stimulate discussion and hear people’s stories.
• Getting in touch with own creativity
• Preliminary drawings emerging from stories and historical images seen.
• Artists would transfer drawing onto hessian for future embroidery on a tapestry.
• Later skills training in sewing and embroidery with E Cape women is planned.

First Workshop 16 October 2018, Embroidery skills training December 2018

Possible Aims
Displayed tapestry at FynArts.
Skills training
Develop potential earning power

The Keiskamma Art Project: Restoring hope and livelihoods by Brenda Schmahmann 2016.

This book has recorded the work begun by Carol Hofmeyr 20 years ago providing work for over 100 people in in Hamburg, E Cape

www.keiskamma.org

A Heslop September 2018