In 1936, Johannesburg hosted the British Empire Exhibition and for this illustrious major event, the JMT – Johannesburg Municipal Tramways, ordered 50 modern trams from Metropolitan Cammell in Birmingham, England. These streamlined double-deck trams represented the last word in modern tramcar design. Seating was provided for 32 passengers on the lower deck and 44 upstairs – total 76.
BOOK REVIEWS
‘Geomotional’ is a remarkable and beautifully illustrated exploration of – as the sub-title says – ‘Geometric art, past and present’. The book, which has us journey through images, words, poetry and song, and gives account of a ‘performance-installation’, is compiled by Mary Elizabeth Lange, who is prolific in her writings on Indigenous art and story, and various intersections with heritage.
BLUE PLAQUES
Henry Brown Marshall came to South Africa in 1878 and started a transport business from Durban to the Highveld. In 1886 he acquired part of the farm Turffontein and established Marshalltown. He bought 713 acres of the Farm Cyferfontein for his family home in 1893, which became Melrose Township, and planted many fine oak trees. Marshall and his wife, Anna Rissik and eight children lived here for only four years.