Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Archived pieces of historic events and accounts
of Johannesburg are concerned at any proposal … at the Imperial Conference with the object of abolishing the term ‘British subject’ and have represented that your support of any proposal to alter the nationality law of the British Commonwealth in this respect will meet with their strongest opposition.” May 5, 1937 Destruction of Guernica The “Times” special correspondent at Vittoria, after inspecting the ruins of Guernica, surprisingly supports the Nationalist contention that Basque incendiaries had more to do with the razing of the town than General Franco’s aircraft. He admits that fire seems to have destroyed nearly all evidence of its origin, but points out the distinctive marks of intensive aerial bombardment. May 7, 1937 Airship destroyed in flames The world’s biggest airship, the Hindenberg (sic), was destroyed by fire last evening when, having crossed the Atlantic, it was 250 feet from landing at Lakehurst, New Jersey. The latest report is that there are 66 survivors and that 34 were killed. Mooring lines from the great ship had been thrown out and attached to those on the ground when there was a sudden explosion in the rear of the hydrogen-filled envelope, flames swiftly enveloped the whole structure and the blazing mass came hurtling to the ground. May 6, 1937 Sports arena at Green Point? Green Point Track may soon disappear, but in its place Cape Town is likely to see arise a great new sporting centre – the most ambitious layout of playing fields in South Africa.
Leading Peninsula sporting bodies, which have conferred with the City Council, have agreed that the old “Track” – scene of many notable civic and sporting events – should go, and that the City Council should undertake a £62 000 scheme.
It is understood that a most elaborate layout of the Common has been agreed upon (with) 12 to 15 tennis courts, clubhouses, dressing rooms and stands, with fields for baseball, cricket, hockey, athletics, cycling, association football and rugby. May 4, 1951 No baptism in lion’s cage The Archbishop of Bruges, Belgium, has banned the christening of 10-day old Rolando Manzano in a cage filled with lions. The boy’s father, a liontamer, had planned to mount guard while the ceremony was performed. May 7, 1951 An ex-Hollander remembers Sir, – More than 20 years ago I emigrated from Holland. I was very touched when I read how highly the Prime Minister Mr. Strydom (sic) appreciated the help extended by Queen Wilhelmina to the late President Kruger. I wonder, however, if ex-Queen Wilhelmina will have the same feeling about Mr. Strydom and his party for the behaviour of the bulk of them towards Holland when in May, 1940, that country was overrun by the Nazis. May 28, 1954 Petrov reveals Soviet secrets THE former Russian diplomat in Canberra, Vladimir Petrov has told the West the whole story of the missing British diplomats (Guy) Burgess and (Donald) Maclean. The Daily Express said Petrov told Australian security officers the names of those who planned the escape route taken by the two diplomats nearly three years ago. May 3, 1957 ‘Stem’ as sole anthem – Strydom MR. J. G. STRYDOM (sic), the Prime Minister, declared that he had made ‘Die Stem’ the sole national anthem because he believed it would be a means of uniting the people. Opposition members maintained, however that the way in which the change had been made was an insult to English-speaking South Africans. Successive United Party speakers asserted their regard for ‘Die Stem,’ but deplored the sudden and unilateral abolition of the official status for the ‘The Queen”. May 3, 1957 This new dance sweeps world From the gay waterfront of the West Indies, a new style of dancing is sweeping across the world. In Europe, in America and now in Cape Town, dancers are trying out the haunting rhythms of Calypso – and finding it fun. In the Argus Week-end Magazine to-morrow two Cape Town experts demonstrate the basic steps of Calypso. May 3, 1990 Enriching experience We write in response to the article titled “Nkosi Sikelel’ sung at city school – query in parliament” with regard to the singing of the hymn, Nkosi Sikelel’ in our school, Camps Bay High School. Claims we were forced to sing the hymn are completely unfounded. Pupils thought it would be enriching and interesting for us tand enriching for us to experience another cultural aspect at our devotions. Participation was voluntary and there was no political motive in this rendition. Concerned matric historians. May 4, 1990 20 000 for repatriation, says ANC LUSAKA. – The African National Congress says about 20 000 exiles will have to be repatriated to South Africa once all obstacles to their return have been cleared, according to Jackie Selebi, co-ordinator of the ANC’s repatriation committee. May 30, 1990 Mail-order bride ban MELBOURNE. – The flourishing mailorder bride trade in Australia is likely to slump following new laws in the Philippines banning brides-wanted advertisements. There has been rising concern in both governments at the number of young Filipino women marrying much older Australian men. April 29, 2002 HIV fallout ‘will be felt for years’. South Africa’s top Aids scientists may be heaving a collective sigh of relief at the government’s about-turn in its policy on HIV/Aids, but warnings have been sounded that the full impact of the two years of controversy around the issue could still be felt here for as long as the next five to six years. Last weekend President Thabo Mbeki distanced his government from the Aids dissidents from whom he has taken controversial advice, but scientists want him to cut all ties with the advisory paneler.