LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Johannesburg’s new police headquarters will be opened by the Prime Minister, Mr. Vorster, on Friday. He will name the complex — which consists of a multi-storey Divisional Headquarters building and a multi-storey Johannesburg District Headquarters — the John Vorster Square. Mr. Vorster is a former Minister of Police. The John Vorster Square replaces Marshall Square, which was closed a few weeks ago. Mr. Vorster will present long-service medals to Johannesburg policemen at a parade at 10 a.m. and will open the complex and unveil the commemorative plaque at about 11.15 a.m.

— August 18 1968

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

South Africa’s largest independent domestic airline is facing closure unless the government agrees to stop subsidising SAA. Flitestar director Joggie Vermooten said yesterday the airline — which flies to Cape Town and Durban from Johannesburg — was engaged in “make-or-break” talks with the government. “Things are at a delicate stage. We can’t carry on like this,” he said. Flitestar accused SAA of keeping domestic fares artificially low, a fact acknowledged by the Competition Board, which last year recommended that the national carrier increase fares and cut surplus capacity to allow competing airlines an equal share of the market. — August 22 1993