Looking Back

From the Sunday Times 50 years ago

NICO Verboom, a Cape Town artist and bohemian, has denied that he has bought a suit.

Nico, 40, was commissioned by Santam, the Afrikaans insurance firm, to sculpt a bust of Dr. Charles Robert Louw, a pioneer of Afrikaner finance.

When the bust was unveiled this week by Dr. Louw’s daughter, Mrs. E. Horn, Mr Verboom was wearing a light-grey suit. A photograph of him appeared in the Press and the word got around in artists’ circles that Nico had gone “square”.

The 6ft-tall Nico said: “I borrowed the suit from a friend who is staying with us. He lent me a tie too. I have since returned the suit to him.” — April 23 1967

From the Sunday Times 25 years ago

ONE of the four MPs suspended by the Democratic Party this week has confirmed that they did discuss with the ANC the possibility of their joining the organisation and serving it in parliament.

This was the reason given by party leader Zach de Beer for suspending them. But Mr Jannie Momberg, one of the four, has accused Dr De Beer of acting precipitously. Mr Momberg, MP for Simon’s Town, said Dr De Beer had spoken only to Mr Rob Haswell (Maritzburg South), before acting. Mr Jan van Eck (Claremont), Mr Pierre Cronje (Greytown) and he were not given a hearing .

Mr Momberg said the suspensions indicated the DP was trying to get rid of them. — April 19 1992