Looking Back

From the Sunday Times 50 years ago

JOHANNESBURG’S Town Clerk, Mr. Ross Blaine, has taken the unusual step of intervening to stop the City Council’s management committee from summarily ending negotiations with the Government for the return of the Johannesburg Fort, now being used as the city’s main jail, to the city.

Negotiations for the return of the Fort have been going on for 30 years and the management committee has lost patience, not only because there is no sign that finality will be reached soon, but also because the State is trying to force the City Council to contribute substantially towards the cost of building a new jail. — May 7 1967

From the Sunday Times 25 years ago

FILM star Joan Collins was reduced to tears in an MNet studio yesterday when South African male celebrities hurled insults at her. Miss Collins, starring in a special edition of Revue Plus, became visibly emotional as she watched the pre-recorded insert in which she was called “a silicone sex symbol” and repeated references were made to her age — 58.

An M-Net spokesman said the programme would be toned down before screening on Thursday: “The stuff about her age and the silicone bit will be taken out.” Reacting to the insert, which was shown in front of about 90 guests, Miss Collins laughed shakily and said: “I’ve never dealt with anything like that before — I’m a bit shocked.” — May 5 1992