175 Special

Celebrating

175 years of heritage

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SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD

The Herald celebrates its 175th birthday Paper committed to continue delivering quality journalism

A MILESTONE: Acting editor Rochelle de Kock and Herald staff mark the 175th anniversary of the newspaper Picture: EUGENE COETZEE

Guy Rogers rogersg@theherald.co.za

We would not have reached 175 without you.

That is the message from The Herald acting editor Rochelle de Kock to the readers of SA’s oldest newspaper, which celebrates its 175th anniversary.

De Kock said The Herald was committed to its watchdog role.

“It is an absolute privilege to be leading this newspaper that has such a rich history.

“Yes, the road has been bumpy but we remain committed to continue delivering quality journalism that is impactful and ultimately brings about change.

“Ours is a resilience to ensure that we fulfil our duties as a vigilant watchdog to keep our readers informed about the very issues that affect us all.

“We would like to thank our readers for their continued support.

“We would not have reached 175 years without you.”

Tshepo Mahloele, chair of Arena Holdings, owner of The Herald, said he knew from his days as a student at Rhodes University of the pivotal role the small but feisty newspaper played in the communities of Nelson Mandela Bay and the region. “Today you cannot talk about Nelson Mandela Bay, its people and their struggles, their dreams and achievements, their failures and successes and not talk about The Herald,” Mahloele said.

“This is because for 175 years The Herald has had a front-row seat in documenting the history of this community.”

Mahloele said The Herald had fought for the most vulnerable, exposing corruption and holding power to account, and in equal measure had celebrated the exploits of local heroes.

“The Herald must remain the pulse of life in Nelson Mandela Bay.

“Congratulations — what an the present offices at the Atrium, in achievement.

Greenacres, a year ago.

“And here’s to many more years.”

It was 92 years from the day it was The Herald started life as the East- launched before the EP Herald started ern Province Herald and was founded publishing news on its front page.

by Scotsman John Paterson who arAt that time, the printed word was rived in Port Elizabeth in 1842, at the the only reliable source of informaage of 19, to take up a teaching post in tion.

Uitenhage.

There was not even radio, let alone While still teaching, Paterson de- television or the internet. cided to start a newspaper in a joint On January 4 1938, with World War venture with his friend, John Philip, 2 looming, page one became the who would be the printer. main news page.

They first published the Eastern In June last year, Tiso Blackstar Province Herald at premises in Titter- Group, publisher of The Herald, Busiton Lane off what was then Main ness Day, Sunday Times and other tiStreet (today Govan tles, sold its print, Mbeki Avenue). broadcasting and The price was one content businesses in penny and the date of SA, Ghana and Kenya that first edition was to the Lebashe InWednesday May 7 vestment Group.

1845, making The HerAnd in November, ald the country’s oldMahloele unveiled est existing daily newsthe new company, paper.

Arena Holdings, that Paterson used the would house the acEastern Province Herquired media assets. ald to write editorials Over the decades, to try to convince resiThe Herald has covdents of the need for ered the events and civic responsibility. issues which have He blasted readers shaped Port Elizaabout the necessity for beth, Nelson Mannew roads, an agricul- A STAR IS BORN: The front dela Bay, the Eastern tural society, a better page of the very first Eastern Cape, SA and the post office, a town Province Herald newspaper world, shining a light census, street names, of May 7 1845 on politics, business, improved harbour service delivery, sport, conditions and a limotoring, the envibrary. ronment, science, tourism, agriculture In 1848, urged on by Paterson, and lifestyle. work began on the Cape Recife lightThe Herald can boast countless house and a prison board was elect- flagship front page stories, from the ed. lunar landing of America’s Apollo 11 A meeting of leading merchants on July 20 1969, and Dr Christiaan was held in March 1849 to discuss the Barnard’s first heart transplant in Deestablishment of a chamber of com- cember 1966, to the epic floods that merce. hit Port Elizabeth in September 1968 In 1952, staff moved into the new — The Herald’s special picture soufive-storey building erected at 19 venir of that cataclysm sold 60,000 Baakens Street and Newspaper House copies within just a few hours of pubwas the centre of operations for the lication — and the death of Nelson next 63 years, until the big move to Mandela on December 5 2013.

Friday 31 July 2020

BEST WISHES ON BIG DAY ● Congratulations on your 175th birthday. We are proud to have walked a part of this journey with you. What an achievement! From all of us, at SPAR Eastern Cape. ● Prestons Liquor Stores would like to wish The Herald a happy 175th birthday. We are a proud supporter of The Herald .

We share common values and goals, such as our love for Nelson Mandela Bay, our determination to invest in the city and its people and to service our customers to the best of our ability. We believe the greatest success factor of The Herald is the incredible people that work there. ● We wish The Herald many more successful years. Congratulations on their 175th birthday anniversary. We are proud to be associated with The Herald . Best wishes from Woodlands Dairy. ● Congratulations on this milestone achievement to an institution in the Bay. Best wishes from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. May you serve the city and journalism excellence for another 175 years. — Marthie Nel ● A very special congratulations to the Herald for your 175th Anniversary. Over many years you have partnered with Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism in promoting the city and we hope to continue with the partnership for many years to come, especially now when it is extremely important to get tourism and economic development back up and running. To a bright future for the city and keep up promoting tourism in the future.

— Erenei Louw ● This organisation is more than a news outlet, it is an invaluable partner in making sure that citizens are engaged and informed. We may have different perspectives, but the common goal is the empowerment of citizens and promotion of accountability. We wish the team a happy 175th anniversary and many more to come. — Luvuyo Bangazi, Mandela Bay Development Agency ● On behalf of the staff and members of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, I extend our warmest congratulations to The Herald on reaching a historic milestone: 175 years of delivering the news to the community of Nelson Mandela Bay. ● We appreciate the collaboration between the legislature and The Herald to advance and deepen democracy. The role of the media in shaping a healthy democracy should never be underestimated, as the public has a right to be informed of the current political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life. ● We commend The Herald for doing its work, albeit in a sometimes highly politicised environment, but nonetheless keeping those in power to account. The Herald ’s unwavering commitment to serve the Nelson Mandela Bay community prevails. Best wishes for the future. — Helen Sauls-August, Speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, Bhisho ● The BMW Port Elizabeth family would like to say a very big happy 175th birthday! ● Vodacom would like to congratulate The Herald , a longtime Nelson Mandela Bay institution, for continuing to keep readers updated, even through the lockdown. Well done on 175 years! ● Fairview Racecourse wishes The Herald a very happy birthday and congratulations on 175 years of bringing headline news to the citizens in the Bay. May you continue to do so for many years to come. ● Thank you to The Herald for continuing to keep readers of Nelson Mandela Bay in the news, even through the lockdown.

Congrats on 175 years! — Browns PR ● Many birthday blessings to The Herald , from Bonamia, and may there be many more! ● Wishing our very own OG of communication a heartfelt congratulations for remaining insightful, relevant, and in the loop for 175 years. Keep it up guys. — Res-ON Internet Solutions ● Van Willing Funerals wishes to congratulate The Herald on its 175th anniversary. We trust that the relationship built with this reputable newspaper will grow from strength to strength.

We wish you all the best for the future, and trust that we can continue our relationship for many years to come. — B Van Willing ● Exclusively Food wishes The Herald a happy 175th birthday. ● Birch’s and Croft, Magill & Watson would like to congratulate The Herald on its milestone 175th anniversary. We are proud to be associated with The Herald , a relationship which has spanned over 160 years. We wish them everything of the best and hearty celebrations! ● First Avenue Funeral Home is so grateful for all the years of being there for it. You make such a difference for all our families at a time they are feeling sad. We are thankful for your continuous professional and caring staff, and for always making us feel special. Thank you, Herald . ● Congratulations to the Herald , 175 years old! Wow, what a number, well done. Thank you to Shelly Le Roux for your friendly service and for always making the extra effort. Cheers to Nadeem and Sandra and all at The Herald . — Angela Vieira, Food Lover’s Market ● Congratulations on 175 years of telling stories and sharing happiness. It has been a pleasure partnering with you for so many years. Thank you for being part of our story. We look forward to more successful years with you. — Rafi’s

Friday 31 July 2020

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After more than 10 decades of existence, Standard Bank and The Herald continue to make their mark in NMB

Clockwise from above: Port Elizabeth Main Street 1870; 1st Standard Bank premises, 1863-76; Standard Bank Port Elizabeth branch, post 1883; Port Elizabeth Branch, c 1876; Standard Bank branch & Guardian Buildings, late 1870.

Gary Markson Standard Bank Coverage Head, Eastern Cape

In the early stages of Port Elizabeth’s development as a commercial city, prominent businessman John Paterson played a leading role in the creation of significant establishments. Among them is the Eastern Cape Province Herald and, what was known many years ago, as “the Standard Bank of Port Elizabeth”.

“As we celebrate The Herald’s 175th year of existence, and share the same leading spirit, it is an opportunity to look back at where we started and how we have evolved over almost two decades of our existence,” comments Gary Markson, Standard Bank Coverage Head for the Eastern Cape.

In 1857, the idea for Standard Bank originated in Port Elizabeth when a group of local businessmen, including Mr Paterson, wished to establish a new bank.

At a meeting held in Port Elizabeth in June, a committee was formed and a prospectus for “The Standard Bank of Port Elizabeth”, with a proposed capital of £250 000, was issued.

Having failed to raise sufficient capital in the Cape Colony in 1859, Paterson sailed to London in July to attempt to float the bank there. Paterson succeeded in his quest and Standard Bank was eventually established in London as “The Standard Bank of British South Africa, Ltd” in 1862, with a nominal capital of £1 million.

In the year that followed, branch banking commenced when Standard Bank’s first branch, its Port Elizabeth branch, opened its doors. “Since its inception, Standard Bank has helped people to save and build wealth and to lend funds respon-

sibly and finance productive economic activity in Port Elizabeth,” explains Markson.

Over its 157-year existence, Standard Bank has expanded its services and presence significantly to 20 countries on the African continent. As Markson notes, “This has afforded the knowledge required to operate a successful business in Africa”.

The banking landscape has evolved significantly over this time – and so too have client demands and expectations. Online and mobile banking are now key to the industry. According to

Markson, “A highly client-centric, digital offering has become fundamental to delivering exceptional results”.

In anticipation of the role technology will play as we head into the future, Standard Bank has pursued large-scale transformation programmes aimed at enhancing client experience and the digital enablement of processes, services and offerings.

This initiative forms part of the group’s aspirations of remaining relevant for another 150 years.

“Digital is not only a part of what we do but has become central to

what we do. It is about delivering a universal bank through secure, personalised, relevant and digitally enhanced experiences to our clients in real time.”

While we are undoubtedly operating in a period of difficulty and uncertainty, The Herald’s 175-year birthday is an opportunity to celebrate heritage. “As Standard Bank, we applaud the newspaper for standing the test of time. We are honoured to have the same founder as The Herald and wish the newspaper well on its journey into the future,” concludes Markson.

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Friday 31 July 2020

South Africa’s motoring mecca The Herald has travelled the road with the motor industry, motoring expert Bobby Cheetham writes Legend has it that the birth of the nation’s motor industry – and mainstay of the Eastern Cape economy for close to 90 years – took place in a boardroom at the world’s automotive powerhouse of the time, the US city of Detroit.

Henry Ford and his board were considering expansion of their industrial empire. Ford automobiles were already being exported and sold in South Africa.

“Ford wanted to increase sales in the wealthy nation at the tip of Africa, so called for a map of Africa,” motor industry old timers often recalled.

The way to do this, Ford decided, was to start building cars in the south of the massive continent. He stuck the map on the wall, studied it and pointed to a tiny southern spot next to the Indian Ocean,” said ex-Ford employee and retired journalist Bob Kernohan.

Ford was then known to have said: “This place called Port Elizabeth looks pretty good.

It’s a port and it’s sort of halfway between Cape Town and Durban and we can send the cars up-country to the goldfields of Johannesburg.”

And so, the decision was made.

Ford established its first local plant in the heart of Port Elizabeth in 1923.

Global product communications manager Craig von Essen said from the company’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan: “The Herald has been a cornerstone of Port Elizabeth’s proud history over the decades, and played an essential role in documenting and developing the city as South Africa’s automotive hub as early as the 1920s.

“We wish one of South Africa’s oldest-running newspapers a wonderful anniversary and prosperous future.”

In fact, the city’s rich motor industry history goes way back to 1896 when the first car was imported to South Africa, a two-seater Benz Velo. The car was shipped to Port Elizabeth and was then transported to Pretoria to John Percy Hess, who became the sole agent for Benz Motors in South Africa.

In 1913, Chevrolet vehicles were also distributed in South Africa. Full scale production started in July 1926 when the first Chevy rolled off the assembly line..

“As a company that’s been based in Port Elizabeth since 1926, we have had a relationship with The Herald that spans over eight decades. “ We wish The Herald success for many more years to come,” said Mario A Spangenberg, president and managing director at General Motors Africa.

The cars which rolled off the GM production lines included Holden Cadillac, La Salle,

ON A ROLL: From left: The first vehicle, a Chevy, rolls off the line in July 1926 at the General Motors Assembly operations in South Africa; the 100 millionth vehicle on the production line in 1972 at the GM plant; built tough, these early Fords cross a stream outside Port Elizabeth

The Volkwagen Beetle on the production line in 1951

Oldsmobile, Buick, Chevrolet cars and trucks, GMC and Bedford trucks, Opel, Vauxhall and Isuzu bakkies and trucks.

Also in later years GMSA produced Suzuki ST 90 and SJ 410 vehicles and the iconic Hummer.

Volkswagen, started operations in April 1951, when the first fully-assembled Volkswa-

gen was sent from Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg factory to South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors (Samad).

A second fully assembled Volkswagen was sent from Wolfsburg in that year. It survives to this day and belongs to Dr Johan van Rensburg of Kimberley.

But before that a franchise agreement was

“Congratulations to on your excellent success.

Your dedication, enthusiasm and insight are truly inspiring.

We wish you many years of great achievements. Ed and The Edge Team”

signed in 1946 between the South African company Industrial and Commercial Holdings and the Studebaker Export Corporation for the local assembly of Studebaker cars and commercial vehicles. Samad was launched as a public company with an initial authorised share capital of R1-million.

In November 1948 the first Studebaker (a commercial vehicle) rolled off the production line. And a year later, in June 1949, Samad entered into an agreement with Austin Motors of England to assemble Austin vehicles in Uitenhage. In February 1950 the first Austin left the production line. The first locally assembled Volkswagen was driven off the production line in Uitenhage in August 1951.

Volkswagen Group South Africa’s managing director Thomas Schaefer said: “While we have only been here to share 64 of these years with you, we are proud of our association with The Herald over the years and being able to find common ground, in not only sponsorships like the Herald Volkswagen Cycle Tour, but also jointly looking out for and promoting the economic wellbeing of this region.”

Troubled times in the eighties saw Ford close plants and General Motors US selling to local directors. Delta Motor Corporation was formed and traded till GM returned in 2004.

At various times, the city was home to the manufacture of Citroens from France and Land Rovers from the UK. Apart from the assembly of motor vehicles, Nelson Mandela Bay is home to other industries that provide parts to vehicle manufacturers.

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SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD

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SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD

New building reflects energetic Herald team

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SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD

MOVING ON: The last staff picture to be taken at The Herald and Weekend Post offices at 19 Baakens Street Picture: EUGENE COETZEE

Newspaper moves with the times in modern world of print and digital Despite The Herald celebrating 175 years of existence, one of the oldest newspapers in SA’s offices are modern, open and a hub of converged 21st century awardwinning journalism.

In April 2019, The Herald moved to Ring Road, Greenacres, from its historic location at 19 Baakens Street, which became synonymous with the best source of quality, local news in the region for more than 66 years.

The Herald Acting Editor Rochelle de Kock says the move was quite a shift for the team, many of whom started their careers out in the iconic building in the city centre.

“Politics is a big driver of the newspaper and the city centre is the heart or the political epicentre of Nelson Mandela Bay. So, it was an adjustment in the beginning to not just run over to City Hall for protests or the Council Chambers for municipal meetings,” De Kock said.

However, she said the new building had many more advantages — including departments, who were previously divided by floors and partitions in the old premises, interacting with one another in one central location. Interactions can be fast paced as breaking news occur, or a bit more relaxed as colleagues get to know one another over their lunch breaks.

“It was time to move

premises. As newspapers and ultimately The Herald grows, we have moved our focus into the digital space.

Our new offices match where we are headed — focusing on being modern and in touch with the vision of the paper,” De Kock said.

This vision includes a “Digital First” strategic approach where breaking news are placed online, and the print edition is reserved for more nuanced, in-depth, and developed news articles for premium subscribers.

“We are moving with the times since our readers are consuming news in different formats, and therefore we have to disseminate news in numerous formats — from investigative print articles, podcasts, to videos for social media. We are packaging news in different ways to be the best source of news for our readers,” De Kock said.

She said the new building also made it easier for reader interaction and stakeholder meetings, with ample parking and within proximity to restaurants, retail stores and gyms.

“Some people feared going into the city centre and they feel a lot more safer coming to the Herald’s offices now. We have a young and energetic team and our new premises reflect our staff in general.

Our open-plan office makes it easy for the various departments and reporters to interact and there is a great energy in the new

building,” said De Kock.

The Herald General Manager Nadeem Joshua agrees that the new building had been a great driver of more meaningful collaboration between and across various divisions.

“It has allowed staff to have a broader picture of the value that each division and team add to the business’ success.

“The layout of the new building speaks to the overall strategy and vision of the paper by delivering on greater collaboration, and ensuring that each division and staff member feels, sees and knows the value they individually add to the business,” said Joshua.

Joshua said the current location has the added bonus that visitors to The Herald’s offices, can look directly into the newsroom: “For many visitors they have been able to, for the first time, see inside our business and get a sense of what we do and how we do it.”

The newspaper’s headquarters have, over the years, moved various premises since it was first published in Titerton Lane off what was then known as Main Street on May 7 1845.

The Herald was founded by businessman-politician John Paterson, who was born in Scotland and emigrated to Port Elizabeth in 1841.

Baakens Street was the publication’s home from October 1952 until April 2019.

Staffers report eerie sightings More than a few had, over the years, also reported ‘airs’ or ‘vibes’ that sent shivers down their spines Zandile Mbabela and Ivor Markman Strange vibes and spine- chilling sightings of human figures flitting past are among the eerie experiences staff in Baakens Street – The Herald’s home for more than 100 years – have reported over the years.

For stereotypically cynical journalists, one had to personally experience it to genuinely believe it.

The ghostly encounters were, however, verified by a team of paranormal investigators a few years ago.

Former Herald librarian and photographer Judy de Vega told how she was processing photographs at about 8pm on a Saturday in about September 2009, when a bizarre incident occurred.

“I was working alone in the building and had just taken a call. I put my cellphone down and within a few

seconds the light went off.

“I didn’t take much notice but then I realised it was actually switched off,” she said.

De Vega then heard the big goods lift at the back of the office close as if someone was coming into the office. But there was nobody else in the room.

“I suddenly got the cold shivers and as I was preparing to leave, I saw a fleeting shadow walking past behind me reflected on my darkened cellphone screen. When I looked back, there was nobody behind me or in the vicinity.

“I took my stuff and headed to the lift and as the doors closed, I saw through the glass panel, a man sitting at a colleague’s desk staring straight at the lift. He was not there before.”

A few weeks before, former scanner and graphic artist Muneeb Wassin was sitting in an empty office while working alone on a public

holiday.

A young woman, aged about 20, walked the length of the office.

Wassin said the young lady went to his desk – he was having lunch in a colleague’s office – and it looked as if she was dropping off pictures for

him to scan in.

When he went to his desk, there were no pictures and the woman had disappeared.

“I went to the HR department side and couldn’t find her, although the door was locked that side and there was only one other way out –

where she came in.”

Former long-time employee Hugh Ashworth also had a run-in with the building’s friendly ghosts, shortly after his son, visiting on the day, described seeing a figure darting from room to room.

And former machine room foreman Derek Heaton claimed to have seen the ghost of a night watchman on quite a few occasions.

“I got so used to it, seeing this shadow, whatever it was, walking, but the platemakers wouldn’t work there by themselves,” he said.

These and other accounts sparked the interest of paranormal investigators Paul Hunt and Divan Steynberg, who in November 2008, scanned the length and breath of Newspaper House, armed with a video camera and electromagnetic field meter.

Hunt reported to have picked up strong, inexplicable readings from the meter.

SPAR Eastern Cape is proud to be associated with The Herald and we wish you success in the years ahead.

EASTERN CAPE

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Friday 31 July 2020

Mandela charmed all at Herald’s 150th Madiba magic made September 1995 civic reception at City Hall even more special, writes Traci Mackie The year 1995 was a special one for The Herald, as it both broke and became the news.

The country’s oldest newspaper celebrated its 150th anniversary, the highlight of which was a civic function on September 14 attended by Nelson Mandela , who at the time had only been South Africa’s first democratically elected president for a year.

Madiba had not only shot to fame as South Africa’s much- loved and revered president, but as a world leader who epitomised reconciliation and peace.

The Herald editor in 1995, Ric Wilson, remembers: “It was a great honour to have Mandela as the guest of honour at the civic reception for the Herald’s 150th anniversary. City Hall organised the reception held at the Feather Market Centre. All the great and good in the Eastern Cape were there.

“Mandela was, as ever, a big crowd-puller. The Feather Market was packed with people, standing shoulder to shoulder.”

Speaking from his home in the Western Cape, Wilson reminisced how Mandela “arrived with his cohorts” in a side reception room set aside for him.

MADIBA MOMENT: At a civic function to mark the 150th anniversary of The Herald in 1995, former editor Ric Wilson gave Nelson Mandela a framed front page recording his inauguration the previous year Picture: MIKE HOLMES

There, he was welcomed by the Eastern Cape premier Raymond Mhlaba, Port Elizabeth’s then soon-to-be-mayor Nceba Faku, and Wilson and his late wife, Rosemary.

“Miss PE [Beverley Strydom] was also there, and typically Madiba ignored the mayor, myself and the other males to charm the women.

He eased himself onto a large couch, sitting in the middle, and patted both sides, gestur-

ing to Rosemary and the other women to sit next to him, which they happily did, squeezing onto the couch.”

Later, on the stage, Mandela was equally charming to the members of the University of Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) award-winning choir. He greeted and shook the hand of each and every member.

“In his speech, he praised

the role of the press in our history and urged us to continue to play a role in transforming South Africa – a job the Herald has done with distinction since the democratic election of 1994,” Wilson, who presented Mandela with a framed front page of The Herald reporting his inauguration in 1994, said.

In his speech at the civic ceremony, Mandela said it was rare that a commercial

newspaper’s anniversary should “serve as a focal point of a community’s sense of togetherness”.

“It is rarer still that this should be the case in these early days of our democracy, when the old still pervades and blemishes many facets of the new.

“That this should be so with the 150th anniversary of the Eastern Province Herald represents Port Elizabeth’s confidence in the future; a confidence issuing from present attempts to make that future truly better for one city, one community and one people,” Mandela said.

“The 150th birthday of The Herald marks the close of an era and the beginning of a new one. In just under two months, Port Elizabeth and hundreds of other towns and villages will have democratic local government elections, a historic rupture with the past.

“The same can be said of the Herald. If in the past it was a light in the darkness of colonialism and apartheid, today The Herald can act as a clear mirror against which the light of our democracy should reflect, with its brightness and, at times, with its imperfections.”

For security reasons, Man-

dela could not mingle with the crowd after his speech, but spent a short time with the VIPs in the reception room.

Event organiser Linda Harwood said 1995 was a particularly busy year for The Herald and the event attended

by Mandela and Faku was a highlight.

“I felt so proud that Madiba himself was at the event.

We had very good relations with City Hall, which probably was why the council hosted the civic banquet,” Harwood said, adding a 150th anniversary ball was also held in August and a special 150th anniversary supplement published.

Faku remembers the celebrations were among other headline-grabbing events in 1995. It was the year in which the country’s first democratically elected municipal elections were held, after which he was elected the city’s first black mayor. “It was also the year in which Queen Elizabeth II visited the city.”

The Herald and its sister paper Weekend Post also reported on the highs and lows of the Rugby World Cup, another momentous event held in South Africa and the Bay in 1995.

Killer floods changed city’s face

FLASHBACK: Flood waters pour over the promenade early during the torrential downpour that hit Port Elizabeth on the morning of September 1, 1968 Pictures: PE Main Library

A towering funnel of cloud reaching a staggering height of more than 12,000 metres, unleashing a deadly deluge on Port Elizabeth.

It was September 1 1968 and the city was being bombarded by thunderstorms so severe, residents could not remember seeing anything like it.

With the triple whammy of three storm fronts hitting the city in 1968, the meteorological office had recorded the height of this astonishing pillar of cloud which – like a burst dam wall – released a torrential, unrelenting downpour: over 42cm in a mere four hours.

The result was havoc – nine fatalities including a father and his young daughter who drowned after becoming trapped beneath a parked car at the bottom of Russell Road, prominent buildings and a huge network of roads and bridges destroyed or disabled, and an entire river re-directed.

“All you saw was all these cars being washed away in a flooded Baakens River, just rolling over and over,” recalls South End Trust president Valentine Brink.

“The PE Tramways bus company building was completely flooded. The river was huge, powerful.”

DEVASTATION: The 1968 flood: The Brickmakers Kloof

Residents of Valley Road had to be lifted off their roofs as the raging floodwaters steadily rose.

And a raging Shark River lived up to its name by devouring everything in its path – including the then Boet Erasmus Stadium and one of the city’s most popular attractions, Happy Valley, which was wiped out by the non-stop wall of water which eventually slammed into the Humewood promenade, creating a waterfall.

The Baakens River washed away people, cars and caravans and hundreds of residents from the northern areas lost their shacks as the Chatty River washed away everything they owned. “Sixteen inches of rain fell on Port

Elizabeth in a single day – the highest rainfall figure in living memory,” The Herald reported at the time.

An odd sight was the number of Volkswagen Beetles that could be seen still driving through the thundershowers and rising waters – thanks to the positioning of their exhaust pipes which allowed for increased clearance.

The cost of the disaster? Over R400-million.

By the time the Bay area experienced what is considered its other great flood in 1981, I was a newly-employed reporter for The Herald and got to see first-hand the devastation that repeated itself a mere 13 years later.

It was almost astonishingly identical in terms of

how much rain fell, although less intense – nearly 43cm in 24 hours on March 26 – with a number of deaths and again, huge structural damage to roads, bridges and homes.

Isolated by the floodwaters, the city was hit by gale force winds which prevented SA Air Force helicopters from taking off on a rescue mission to help stranded residents until the following day.

I had been sent to Despatch and found myself wading among streets of deserted houses in waist-deep, chocolatecoloured water as photographer Jon Inggs drove on to capture images.

The next thing: Plop! I was underwater and up to my neck in it. A manhole cover had been lifted by the floodwater and I dropped like a stone.

The result was a hairline fracture to my shin bone, but I managed to limp and find refuge on one home’s elevated verandah where I began writing my story – with a certain degree of agony.

The entire basement of Newspaper House was also flooded out and The Herald had to be printed at the then Oosterlig for six months.

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Embracing a ‘Digital First’ approach Social media has many advantages in a converged newsroom It would be safe to assume that The Herald’s founder John Paterson may have never dreamt of the different formats the very first black-and-white four-pager of the newspaper he established 175 years ago, would evolve into.

Today readers consume the news from tweets on their smartphones, website articles on their laptops and tablets, as well as by reading and paging through the printed daily edition of The Herald.

As the leading print and digital publication in Nelson Mandela Bay, The Herald has remained committed over the decades to bring the best local news to its readership — in whatever format they choose.

Ten years ago, The Herald was more focused on its print edition, though it did have a website, digital editor Karen van Rooyen said.

“It’s only in the last few years that more effort has gone into making it the go-to website for those wanting access to hyperlocal news from Nelson Mandela Bay. “The migration to a Digital First operation has been a work in progress going back to February 2019 when HeraldLIVE introduced premium content, available exclusively to subscribers,” Van Rooyen said.

She said the same year that The Herald moved to its new premises at The Atrium, a new editorial system was introduced merging the digital and print operation that allowed the team to fully embrace the Digital First strategy.

The strategy was the natural next step for The Herald, in keeping with national and international trends in news production.

“More and more people are consuming news online, so that’s where we need to be and the challenge is maintaining the integrity of our news, while still making it relevant to an online audience — an audience that already has information coming to them from all directions,” Van Rooyen said.

DIGITAL EDITOR KAREN VAN ROOYEN

One of these directions would be social media, which is renowned for creating false rumours and fake news.

The Herald has a dedicated team of trained journalists and editors who verify news before it is placed online.

“We have rotating shifts starting at 6am and one member of the online team is on standby in the evening during the week in the event of breaking news.

“We also rotate weekends and public holidays so there’s always an online person on duty. If there

is major breaking news, we get a team together and get the news out as quickly as possible without compromising the quality of news in terms of accuracy,” Van Rooyen said.

Today most of the traffic to the HeraldLIVE website comes via social media, in particular The Herald’s popular Facebook page.

Social media has many advantages in a converged newsroom, which modern-day journalists perhaps take for granted when compared to how things were done just a decade or two ago.

“There was no Facebook during my early days as a journalist and I had to rely on the telephone directory (and occasionally stakeout a home) if I needed comment from someone.

“One story stands out — it involved a young woman whose surname was Abrahams and I was working in Cape Town at the time.

Imagine phoning every Abrahams in Cape Town. There must have been four or five pages of Abrahams’ to get through,” Van Rooyen said.

The proliferation of informa-

tion thanks to social media also means that there is no more holding back until tomorrow on a big story — or risk being scooped by competitors. The challenge now is to break that story online, and flesh it out further in the print edition.

The Herald Acting Editor Rochelle de Kock said the print readership base, though declining due to the trend of the younger generation consuming news online, remain very loyal — particularly the reader who enjoys having his or her paper in hand with a cup of coffee, first thing in the morning.

“Our strategy is that everything goes digital first. Journalists in consultation with their editors decide what are the premium stories and focus on them for the print edition. They add in more detail, develop these stories and give a more in-depth product for the subscriber — be that print or digital,” De Kock said.

Occasionally the team will hold back exclusive stories for “print first” but those stories will always also appear online — most likely as premium content, offering exclusivity to The Herald subscribers.

CCFA

Community Conservation fund - Africa npc

10

SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD

Friday 31 July 2020

Dodging drivers all part of day’s work Meet some of your fleet-footed vendors who get The Herald to readers Name & Surname: David van Rayner Nickname: Dawie Date of birth: 13 August 1983 Which intersection/road are you based at? Centenary Road and Circular Drive How long have you been working for The Herald and Weekend Post? 4 years What time do you get to work? 04:00 am Do you have regular customers? Yes Do you enjoy being a street vendor? Yes Who or what is the most important thing to you? My customers What are your hobbies? Soccer Are you proud of The Herald and Weekend Post brand? Yes Do you read the newspaper yourself? Yes What is your favorite section of The Herald and Weekend Post? The food sections in the newspaper Do they attitudes of customers affect you and why? No Who is your favourite sports team? Soccer What is your favorite food? Homemade cooked food Name & Surname: John Paul Nickname: Paul Date of birth: 3 April 1963 Which intersection/road are you based at?

Strandfontein Road and La Roche Drive How long have you been working for The Herald and Weekend Post? 17 years.

What time do you get to work?

05:00am Do you have regular customers?

Yes. How did you come about the role to sell newspapers? Someone saw I was in need and offered me a job.

What do you enjoy most about being a street vendor? Getting to interact with different people and meeting new people everyday.

Who or what is the most important thing to you? My customers, as unfortunately I do not have any family.

What are your hobbies? Singing.

Are you proud of The Herald and Weekend Post brand? Yes Do you read the newspaper yourself?

Yes What is your favorite section of The Herald and Weekend Post? Sports.

Do the attitudes of customers affect you and why? No, because we are here to learn from one another.

Who is your favourite sports team? All Blacks Rugby Team What is your favorite food? Fish Any other comments.

I love to work at The Herald and make a difference in the community.

Name: Jeswin Nickname: Tokkoroei Date of birth: 4 April 1993 Which intersection/road are you based at? Circular Drive and William Moffett How long have you been working for The Herald and Weekend Post? 10 years What time do you get to work? 04:35am Do you have regular customers? Yes How did you come about the role to sell newspapers? I chatted to a friend who worked at The Herald and Weekend Post and he asked me if I would like to come on board as a street vendor.

What do you enjoy most about being a street vendor? I get to chat to the customers and make friends Who or what is the most important thing to you? My girlfriend What are your hobbies? I enjoy watching movies and playing soccer Are you proud of The Herald and Weekend Post brand? Yes Do you read the newspaper yourself? Yes Do the attitudes of customers affect you and why? No, it gives me joy to see new customers all the time Who is your favourite sports team? The Bokke What is your favorite food? Chicken & Chips Any other comments: I love my job at The Herald. It makes me proud to be able to communicate with customers and spread the news.

Name & Surname: Linden Dickenson Nickname: Hubbe Date of birth: 10 April 1991 Which intersection/road are you based at? BP Robot (Aubrey Street), Gelvan Park How long have you been working for The Herald and Weekend Post?

10 years What time do you get to work?

05:00am

Name & Surname: Chemerine Ashia Nickname: Camo Date of birth: 13 August 2002 Which intersection/road are you based at? Main Road and 8th Avenue, Walmer How long have you been working for The Herald and Weekend Post? 2 years.

What time do you get to work? 04:30am Do you have regular customers? Yes. How did you come about the role to sell newspapers? I chatted to a friend who worked at The Herald and Weekend Post and he asked me if I would like to come on board as a street vendor.

What do you enjoy most about being a street vendor? Meeting new people and chatting to my customers everyday Who or what is the most important thing to you? My little brother (5 years old) and my sister (14 years old) What are your hobbies? Washing cars.

Are you proud of The Herald and Weekend Post brand? Yes Do you read the newspaper yourself? Yes What is your favorite section of The Herald and Weekend Post? The weather report Do the attitudes of customers affect you and why? No, I stay positive whether my customers are positive or negative Who is your favourite sports team? Stormers Rugby Team What is your favorite food? 2 minute noodles

Name & Surname: Rayno TerblanchĂŠ Nickname: Koesie Date of birth: 7 February 1994 Which intersection/road are you based at? Kragga Kamma Road How long have you been working for The Herald and Weekend Post? 4 years What time do you get to work? 04:30am Do you have regular customers? Yes. How did you come about the role to sell newspapers? I chatted to a friend who worked at The Herald and Weekend Post and he asked me if I would like to come on board as a street vendor.

What do you enjoy most about being a street vendor? I enjoy seeing all my customers every morning.

Who or what is the most important thing to you? My mother, she is 52 years old.

What are your hobbies? Playing cards Are you proud of The Herald and Weekend Post brand?

Yes Do you read the newspaper yourself? Yes What is your favorite section of The Herald and Weekend Post? The TV guide Do the attitudes of customers affect you and why? No Who is your favourite sports team? South African Rugby Team What is your favorite food? Pilchards and Macaroni

Name & Surname: Alviro Louwskieter Nickname: Viro Date of birth: 10 July 1996 How long have you been working for The Herald and Weekend Post? 2 years Which intersection/road are you based at? Clearly Park Estate What time do you get to work?

05:00am Do you have regular customers? Yes What do you enjoy most about being a street vendor? It allow me to be independent Who or what is the most important thing to you? My Family

tion Do the attitudes of customers affect you and why? No, because I enjoy what I do Who is your favourite sports team?

South African Rugby Team and Man United What is your favorite food? Bread and Tea

Name & Surname: Shane Wagner Nickname: Viro Date of birth: 20 December 1989 Which intersection/road are you based at? Mount Road and Lennox Street Do you have regular customers? Yes What do you enjoy most about being a street vendor? It allows me to be independent Who or what is the most important thing to you? My siblings

What are your hobbies?

Relaxing and chatting to friends Do you read the newspaper yourself?

Yes What is your favorite section of The Herald and Weekend Post? Sports Do the attitudes of customers affect you and why? Sometimes, some customers are a bit rude.

Who is your favourite sports team?

South African Rugby Team What is your favorite food? Takeaways

Do you have regular customers? Yes How did you come about the role to sell newspapers? I chatted to a friend who worked at The Herald and Weekend Post and he asked me if I would like to come on board as a street vendor.

What do you enjoy most about being a street vendor? The relationship and interaction I have between my customers.

Who or what is the most important thing to you? My children and family.

What are your hobbies?

Soccer Are you proud of The Herald and Weekend Post brand? Yes Do you read the newspaper yourself?

Yes What is your favorite section of The Herald and Weekend Post? Sports Sec-

What are your hobbies? Soccer Are you proud of The Herald brand? Yes Do you read the newspaper yourself?

Yes What is your favorite section of The Herald? Sport Section Do the attitudes of customers affect you and why? No Who is your favourite sports team? SA Rugby Team and Man City What is your favorite food? Take-aways

Name & Surname: Roystin Terblanche Nickname: Toll Date of birth: 25 October 1991 Which intersection/road are you based at? Cape Road and 7th Avenue, Newton Park How long have you been working for The Herald and Weekend Post? 6 Years What time do you get to work?

04:20 am Do you have regular customers? Yes How did you come about the role to sell newspapers? I chatted to a friend who worked at The Herald and Weekend Post and he asked me if I would like to come on board as a street vendor.

What do you enjoy most about being a street vendor? I enjoy being a street vendor as it is a form of income for me Who or what is the most important thing to you? My son What are your hobbies? Soccer Are you proud of The Herald and Weekend Post brand? Yes Do you read the newspaper yourself? Yes What is your favorite section of The Herald and Weekend Post? Sports section Do the attitudes of customers affect you and why? No Who is your favourite sports team? Liverpool What is your favorite food?

Baked Beans

Friday 31 July 2020

11

SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD

Sporting legend hails from PE

Kolisi born to be a star Zamandulo Malonde Siyamthanda Kolisi ’s rise to rugby stardom was inevitable.

That is because he comes from a bloodline filled with sports stars and became enthralled with the game at just three years old.

So knowing that, his rise to become SA’s first black captain came as little surprise to his family’s Mthembu Street, Zwide, neighbours who will be on the edge of their seats as he leads the Springboks against England at the Rugby Wold Cup finals on Saturday.

“We are beaming with excitement at how proud Siya has made us, but we are not surprised because that boy’s inherent talent showed from a very young age,” neighbour Nyaniso Mashiqana, 51, said.

“His grandfather, [Jan Kolisi ], was a popular rugby player in Kleinskool who loved and excelled in the sport and Siya’s father, [Fezakele], was just as good — an excellent boxer and rugby player.

“Sport is in his blood and it has been a joy to witness him grow from a young man who played sport in the street to seeing him scouted to attend a prestigious school because of his talent. “[That] was cause for celebration for our community.”

Kolisi ’s father, Fezakele, told The Herald in 2018 that, when Siya was three, during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, he mastered the haka war cry by watching the All Blacks on television.

That would mark the beginning of his love affair with the sport.

He played for the African Bombers, a rugby team for young men in the township, where he was scouted to join the Grey Junior School rugby team at the age of 12, leaving Zwide’s Mseleni Primary School.

“While we were still admiring his talent in amazement, we heard that Siya had left Zwide to study at Grey and that was an unusual thing for one of our kids to go to a school of that calibre.

“While we weren’t shocked by that either, we had never expected his talent to move mountains for

him at such a young age,” Mashiqana said, beaming with pride.

Kolisi ’s road to Grey was helped along by rugby enthusiast and former Mseleni Primary School deputy principal, Mkhuseli Eric Songwiqi.

“I had just moved from teaching at Isaac Booi to Msengeni, where there was no rugby field, so I used to gather learners from schools around and we would train at the Dan Qeqe Stadium.

“Siya was a part of the group, playing flank,” Songwiqi said.

“Siya always displayed great leadership skills from our very first days and I saw a lot of potential in him.

“One of the vivid memories I have of him is his humility and ability to bring the team together.

“While others vied to prove they were better than the next player, Siya expressed his passion by calming everyone down so they could all get on with the game.

“When he was not being the motivator I knew I could count on him with keeping the equipment intact after every game,” he said.

Songwiqi introduced Kolisi to then Grey rugby coach Andrew Hayi-

dakis, who arranged bursaries for him and two other players, Zolani Faku and Phaphama Hoyi.

Songwiqi was coaching the EP rugby team’s U12 and U16 teams at the time.

“I have no words to describe how it feels to see Siya leading the national team into the final of the World Cup after having been there to witness the beginning of his career and his love for the game.

“I trust they will make us proud,” he said.

It was under Songwiqi’s training and during his transition to Grey that Kolisi formed some unbreakable bonds with fellow rugby players who have been around to witness some of his biggest milestones.

“I know it sounds like I’m exaggerating but no-one deserves this more than Siya.

“I have known that man since we were 12 years old and I know he deserves to be where he is,” PE police rugby team coach Renier Erasmus said.

Erasmus and Kolisi ’s bond formed while playing the same

Congratulations for making history for 175 years

St Andrew’s College

Working with The Herald and its community has been an honour and we look forward to sharing many more years with you.

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flank position on Port Elizabeth rugby fields when they were pupils at Bluewater Bay Primary and Grey junior respectively, and that friendship grew.

“When we met, Siya and I both respected each other because we were both good at the sport and I think that was the foundation of our friendship.”

Erasmus echoes the sentiments of many who knew Kolisi from a young age in their description of him as a well-mannered, humble boy.

“We spent countless weekends at my Bluewater Bay home together and Siya had become like my father’s own son.

“When I recall all those times when my father and I would fetch him, I know very well where Siya came from to get here.

“Even at that age I knew he was going to become a Springbok one day and I said it to him when we were 14.

“While we have so many memories together, I will always recall the time when we were on our way to a rugby game in Queenstown [Ko-

mani] in 2007, and we made a bet to eat and finish a whole chicken and half a loaf of bread with milk, and I said to him it was impossible.

“But I tell you that man ate and finished that chicken, half a loaf and a quarter of mine and still went onto a rugby field to play and became man of the match,” Erasmus said.

He also recalled a time when they were chased by dogs in Bluewater Bay after they had rung a neighbour’s doorbell and ran away together.

The two went to Grey High School where they played together from the U13 team and the EP team, until they moved to join the Western Province Rugby Union team after matric.

“Siya brings people together ... he’s doing it now and he always did it when we were younger,” he said.

Fellow Stormers player Scarra Ntubeni, born in King William’s Town, met Kolisi when Ntubeni was playing for Dale College and Kolisi for Grey.

“Our schools played against each other a lot of times in high school, but we never really knew each other well until we joined the Western Province and stayed together,” Ntubeni said.

“One of the things that have always stood out for me about Siya is his kindness.

“Not only towards his friends and family, but everyone, and I admire that.

“Nothing in the world matters more than his family to him.

“He’s passionate about helping people, especially the community that raised him in Port Elizabeth,” he said.

Ntubeni, who has been a close part of Kolisi ’s life, said his transformation was inspirational for all who knew his background.

The fellow Springbok players last saw each other at the team’s Test against Argentina at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in August.

“The idea of him bringing this cup home when it’s something he couldn’t even dream of when he was younger is a big deal and I know that he knows everyone is behind him,” Ntubeni said.

We congratulate The Herald on the remarkable milestone of reaching its 175th anniversary.

A family of three boarding schools, highly regarded for excellence in all spheres of education.

We wish The Herald all of God’s blessings on turning 175 years, and look forward to many more good years of friendship.

Pearson High School The School of Excellence Sanlam is a Licensed Financial Services Provider.

www.pearsonhighschool.com (041) 583-2111

For more information about St Andrew’s College please contact Cherié Wille c.wille@sacschool.com | 084 549 7710

12

SUPPLEMENT TO THE HERALD

Friday 31 July 2020

Teamwork keeps readers informed during Covid-19 Lockdown forced Herald team to adjust to how to run a newsroom completely virtually For 175 years The Herald’s journalists have documented history with brave and fierce reporting — whether during the dark years of apartheid, natural disasters such as the flooding of the Baakens River or amid two World Wars.

And so, when Covid-19 hit the Eastern Cape and the hard lockdown commenced in March this year, it was the duty of The Herald Acting Editor Rochelle de Kock to inspire her team of journalists with a reminder of the legacy of courageous journalism the Herald has become known for over the decades.

“I told them that this would become the story of our lifetime.

Covid-19 is a different kind of challenge to anything the journalists before us may have faced — it is an unseen enemy.

“We equipped the teams with all the necessary PPE, but it still is a challenging situation that requires brave journalism,” De Kock said.

De Kock commended The Herald’s team who stayed true to the brand by giving people information of benefit to them during the various stages of lockdown, in as local a manner as possible.

“I told the journalists that we will be writing history by telling the story in the best way we can.

“In 100 years from now, people will go through the archives to see how we managed to produce a paper despite the Covid-19 pandemic,” De Kock said.

She said all departments — including editorial, sales, marketing and circulation — rallied together during the hard lockdown period and beyond to continue bringing out the newspaper despite ongoing restrictions caused by the pandemic.

“We had to make some cost-effective decisions regarding the distribution to routes with smaller print runs. The majority of the team moved to work from their homes and we never missed a paper.

“We worked pretty seamlessly to ensure that the paper still came out daily; and our marketing and circulation teams also worked on new and attractive digital subscription options,” De Kock said.

In addition, the Arena Group, to which The Herald belongs, took the decision in March that confirmed

EDITORIAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR URSULA ATTERBURY

CIRCULATION SUPERVISOR KIM DALY

MARKETING MANAGER BERNA ULAY

SPORTS EDITOR ALVIN REEVES

and verified information would be published free of charge during the hard lockdown period.

“The majority of our Covid-19 content was free for educational purposes. We did not want to keep

SALES AND ADVERTISING DATA CAPTURER NANDI SAKI

CREDIT CONTROLLER DELENE BUTTLER

CREDIT CONTROLLER MZIYANDA KITSILI

vital information from people with the paywall.

“We took this decision at a time when advertisers started pulling their adverts because of the effects of lockdown on their businesses.

However, it was important to keep the public informed about Covid-19, for them to make safe decisions,” De Kock said.

While a Digital First strategy has been implemented for a while in

The Herald’s newsroom, the lockdown forced the team to quickly adjust to how to run a newsroom completely virtually.

“Nothing will replace the buzz of the newsroom — when section heads and news editors consult with reporters, but we had to embrace technology. Fortunately, all the reporters are required to have smartphones and were used to working on their phones already by sending tweets, articles and videos,” De Kock said.

The Herald General Manager Nadeem Joshua said the lockdown had highlighted how technology has changed, impacted and provided opportunities to be able to work without having to be physically present within a defined space.

“This lockdown stimulated and reignited the ‘why we do what we do’ feeling. Lockdown has shown us that it’s not about where you are doing things from or on what platform it is presented; but it is about why we are doing it,” said Joshua.

As outgoing General Manager, Joshua reflected on the five years spent in Port Elizabeth, at the reigns of the historic newspaper.

“It has been very rewarding personally as well as professionally.

“I have met and engaged with many people from different walks of life and as I get ready to leave, I leave richer because of the friends who have become family that I have throughout the Eastern Cape.

“My colleagues are a group of driven, hardworking individuals who are very passionate about their city and that is evident in the output which people get to read every day.”

“Both The Herald and Weekend Post brands are well entrenched and is the heartbeat of the city going back 175 years.

“The Herald, in particular, is part of the fabric and DNA of this friendly and beautiful city you all call home.

To all my colleagues, thank you for the faith and trust you placed in me - it has been a pleasure and highlight of my career to be the captain.

“To the management team, I have no doubt in your ability to drive this business from strength to strength and continue to lean on and build each other on this journey.”

Be Extraordinary. Let us help you. mullers@theherald.co.za