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Click to view map Coordinates: | (obit 23.3.45, s.l.) Randjeslaagte Estate was conceived in 1936 as a living Memorial and reminder of Johannesburg's 50th Jubilee. The layout of the Estate and the design of the original buildings was the work of KALLENBACH, KENNEDY & FURNER, an influential Johannesburg architectural practice. The practise also donated the funds for the construction of one of the blocks. The site planning of the original portion of Randjeslaagte Estate was clearly strongly rooted in the Garden City movement – an approach to urban planning founded in 1898 by Sir Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom. The layout at Randjeslaagte of the original residential blocks around a large formally planned open green space is clear evidence of this. The Randjeslaagte Estate is an early example of social housing in the city of Johannesburg. [William MARTINSON] During the Jubilee celebrations, a group of the City's prominent residents conceived the idea of establishing a living memorial which would serve as a permanent reminder of Johannesburg's 50th Anniversary and honour those who had assisted in the founding and development of the City. Named Randjeslaagte after the triangular piece of uitvalgrond (odd piece of land) on which the City was founded in 1886, the memorial takes the form of a community of houses established on 40 acres of grassed and wooded parklands about half-a-mile (0.8km) to the south-east of the Highlands North shopping centre. The Randjeslaagte Johannesburg Jubilee Memorial is not a charity or home for the destitute, but a scheme which provides seemly houses for old people of limited means who have served their City well. Above all, it ensures these senior citizens of companionship and an opportunity to participate in domestic and communal activities befitting their age. In this way, they retain a sense of responsibility, security and independence, and they are able to spend the evening of their lives in comfortable and healthy surroundings. One enters Randjeslaagte through the impressive Donald Mackay Gates, donated by Councillor Mackay who was Mayor of Johannesburg from the 6th of November, 1936, until the 4th of November, 1937, and in whose Mayoral year the scheme was launched. From the gates can be seen the Monica Robinson Memorial Garden which commemorates one of Johannesburg's most popular figures, who, with the aid of women bowlers, did outstanding work for Randjeslaagte. The Southern Transvaal Women's Bowling Association and the Southern Transvaal Bowling Association have always taken a keen interest in the Memorial and they have watched the great work being done by their kindred body, the Transvaal Municipal Bowling Greens' Association. In 1964 the two first-named bodies sponsored the erection of a block of rooms at a cost of R26 000. Between Randjeslaagte's twin roads there is a beautiful fountain and goldfish pond donated by C. M. Crossling, the builder of the first block of flats. Yet another attractive feature is a well-stocked rose garden laid down in memory of C. W. Stephens who was a generous donor. Gray Avenue, the main boulevard, leads to the Chamber of Mines Commemorative Hall. This is the social centre of Randjeslaagte and it is utilized for stage performances, cinema shows and concerts. As its name implies, the Hall was donated by the Chamber of Mines which has also borne the cost of extensive additions. All blocks of flats at Randjeslaagte are sited to provide a northern aspect and, wherever possible, an uninterrupted view. Each has been designed on a ground floor plan, built under slate and planned to incorporate all modern appliances, and every block has its own garden and communal laundry. For married couples there are six blocks containing 22 flats in all each with a living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, while 11 blocks of ten rooms each provide bachelor-type accommodation for single women. These flats consist of a self-contained room with cooking and washing-up facilities. Bathrooms and conveniences, however, are communal. The Rest House, which can accommodate about 30 people, provides for those who cannot look after themselves. All buildings are linked by an intercommunication telephone system and nursing staff is permanently available in case of emergency. A resident who becomes a widower may remain a member of the community. In such circumstances, he occupies a room near the Rest House where he takes his meals and staff is provided to service his room. Applications for admission to Randjeslaagte are considered from married couples and single women only. Applicants must have lived in Johannesburg for at least 20 years, they must be in good health and able to look after themselves, to cook for themselves and tend to their own personal gardens. This is considered a form of therapy, but every assistance is given by the Superintendent and his staff who look after the 'public’ garden beds and lawns, and grow enough vegetables for the needs of the Rest House. The Mayor is the Honorary President of the Randjeslaagte Johannesburg Jubilee Memorial whose affairs are administered by a general council and executive committee which is appointed annually in terms of the Articles of Association. There are also four permanent sub-committees - House, Finance, Grounds and Works, and Clothing. As Randjeslaagte was established to commemorate the 5oth Anniversary of Johannesburg, the City Council has taken a close and sympathetic interest in its affairs. In 1936, it gave the Memorial an initial grant equivalent to R100,000 so as to set in motion a fund-raising campaign which received City-wide support. Ten years later, the Council again showed its generosity by sponsoring the erection of two ten-room blocks to mark the City's 6oth Anniversary. Since most of the residents of Randjeslaagte are old-age pensioners who are required to meet rentals which amount to only one-third of their limited incomes, grants such as these are vital to the continuance of this model Memorial which is a living proof of the City's social conscience. When the first tentative plans concerning Randjeslaagte were being formulated in 1936, Johannesburg and Vancouver exchanged gifts to mark their golden jubilees. As both were founded in 1886 and as each has a colourful history of rapid growth and intensive development, the two have come to be regarded as sister cities. Vancouver's gift to Johannesburg is the 110-foot flagstaff, made from a towering Douglas pine, which stands in Joubert Park. Johannesburg, in turn, presented Vancouver with a magnificent inkstand made from gold-bearing rock. Ref: Shorten, John R. 1970. The Johannesburg Saga. Cape Town: pp 367 to 369. The following plaques and inscriptions appear on buildings and in the gardens of the Memorial. ENTRANCE GATEWAY A large bronze plaque commemorating the Inauguration of the Memorial in 1937 is awkwardly mounted on the left hand side of the entrance gates. The inscription reads: 1886 - 1936 BRONZE GATES Donated by Mrs. Donald Mackay COTTAGES No. l: Donated by Mr. S. F. Harvey; BLOCKS GRAY BLOCK: Donated by Johannesburg Women, 1936. Stone laid This block has been erected by J.M.B.G.A. BLOCK: Donated by Bowlers of the Johannesburg Municipal Bowling Greens' Association, 1964. S.T.B.A. and S.T.W.B.A. BLOCK; Donated by Bowlers of the Southern Transvaal Bowling Association and the Southern Transvaal Women’s Bowling Association, 1964 REST HOME KING GEORGE VI BUILDING: Commemorates the Visit of H.M. King George VI to Johannesburg, 1947. ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE THE CHAMBER OF MINES COMMEMORATION HALL: Donated by the Transvaal Chamber of Mines, 1939. A bronze plaque commemorating the opening ceremony in 1939 is mounted on the wall within the lobby: CHAMBER OF MINES GARDENS The S. V. MANN GARDEN FLAG POLES Donated by Mr. G. Walker. "The examples set by these donations provide the very foundation upon which the Memorial has been built." Ref: Author and source of document unknown - probably compiled by the Randjeslaagte Memorial; No date: pgs 22 and 23. Text of Plaques added for the Artefacts entry. [William MARTINSON, May 2011] |
