Chairperson of the Heritage Association of South Africa (HASA) and Honorary Professor of the School of Architecture and Planning at Wits University, Kathy Munro, is the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Modderfontein Conservation Society (MCS).

The illustrated presentation, detailing near neighbour Orange Grove, will take place in the MCS Education Centre in the Reserve at 14:00 on Saturday 28 September and visitors are welcome.

This talk will zoom in on the history of the area, with its iconic hotel, a hidden city waterfall and a popular picnic spot.  Kathy will provide an insight into the flavour of the suburb as it evolved over a century.   She will also answer the question: Why was Louis Botha Avenue the busy street that it was and still is?

Old Postcard of the Orange Grove Waterfall.jpg

“We’ll explore the origins of the streets, the architecture, the homes, and businesses of the suburb,” says Kathy. “Who were the people who made the suburb? Why did the Italian immigrant community settle here? We will also explore the Modderfontein connections to Orange Grove and invite the people to remember their experience of Orange Grove."

“It’s a suburb that boasted three cinemas and the Orange Grove Hotel in its heyday was a vibrant social hub for wining, dining, and dancing to the Roy Martin and later the Dan Hill orchestra.”

Old Orange Grove has all but disappeared but Kathy takes a closer look at some shadows and echoes that remain.

• Date: 28 September 14:00
• The MCS welcomes visitors. An entrance fee of R20.00 for members and R30.00 for visitors (cash only) is charged to help cover expenses. Scholars are free.
• To get to the Education Centre, enter the Modderfontein Reserve through the Ardeer Road gate (taking care on the roadworks taking place there) then keep left at all intersections.  Temporary signs indicating the route to the Lapa show the way, but are vulnerable to road builders, wind and fire.
• For info, contact Alison Coppin: 083 292 5406.