PRESS RELEASE

Wall of Fame: This week’s nominees are…

There has been a significant effort from local government, civil society and non-governmental organisations to become partners in making a visible improvement in the lives of people and to sustain Margate as the favourite domestic holiday destination in the country. From education to the economy to sports and general community development, various organisations and individuals have responded to the call made by our leaders and have initiated programmes to develop themselves and the community they serve.

The Margate Centenary Wall of Fame, as a project, seeks to recognise and honour those individuals and organisations that have in the past pioneered tourism and community initiatives and will continue to touch the lives of ordinary citizens in Margate and who have made a significant contribution to ensuring Margate has and will remain a firm favourite in domestic tourism. Seen from this perspective therefore, these awards are community based, are aimed at showing appreciation and most importantly are an opportunity to publicly say “well done”.

The Margate Centenary presents this week’s nominees for the 1910 - 2010 Wall of Fame. Over the past few months we have asked the Margate community to identify the

individuals who they believe have shaped and developed Margate.

At the time of going to print we have endeavoured to verify as much accuracy in the information, however we welcome any information to verify that these stories of these legends is a true and accurate reflection of the past.

Cloud Manning, is the man who stumbled upon this beautiful track of land and acquired it from the government, clearly seeing              something unique and special with enormous potential.

Hugh Ballance, is the man who in 1918 had the foresight to see the potential of Margate as a sought after holiday resort. Mr Ballance gave up a very god job and employed a surveyor to cut up the farm into plots. He planned a post office, stores and hotel sites and embarked on a marketing road show. After just two days of exhausting presentations 50 plots were sold.

Henry Richardson, was employed by Mr Hugh Ballance to cut up the farm in plots and it is Mr Richardson we have to thank for naming Margate. We have no doubt he shared Mr Ballance’s vision and saw the opportunity for this quaint seaside resort to parallel her namesake, Margate in Kent, a thriving seaside village in the UK.

JJ Erasmus

Marketer Extraordinaire. In 1922, JJ Erasmus relocated to the South Coast to escape the 1922 flu pandemic. He bought up a large portion of the Margate Estate. He had a very clear dream for Margate. He dreamed that Margate would be the playground of South Africa. 1000’s of visitors travelled by train for a full day and night to spend their holidays in Margate.

Carl Erasmus

Sadly JJ Erasmus died at the early age of 54, and Carl Erasmus his oldest son, who had worked side by side with his father, went on to continue his father’s dream. Amongst many other business ventures, Carl Erasmus set to work on the Margate Hotel, developed the 1^st Bowling Club. Carl Erasmus also made a significant contribution to aviation on the lower South Coast.

Deputy Mayor Johnny De Wet

Our current Deputy Mayor Alderman De Wet has served Margate for over 35 years as Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor since 1974. This is probably the longest serving councillor in South African History. He has served as the past chairperson of the Margate Chamber of Commerce for 25 years, EXCO and chairperson of the Ugu Planning Economic, Development and Tourism Portfolio Committee, past chairperson of the National Party, South Coast Region and a past Member of Parliament. He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our area for more than a third of the 100 years we are celebrating this year in Margate.

Bushy Hamilton Brown, the late Mr Bushy Hamilton Brown, had the foresight to see the need for a private hospital. In 1988 he gathered all the medical professionals at the Margate Country Club where they set to work on a plan to develop the 1^st private hospital in the area. They got to work finding investors and the Margate Hospital was built on his land.

There is no doubt that this hospital has given 1000’s of visitors and locals an essential peace of mind knowing they have access to first class medical care. He was also one of the 1^st developers to build a secure complex with a clubhouse. The Margate Mews and Ramsgate Retirement village are both still highly sought after retirement villages and have offered a great sense of community, peace of mind and joy to many residents in their later years.

Hugh Nicholson, founded the Ivungo River Conservancy in the 1960’s. At this time it was not as “popular” to found conservancies. Business and Land Development was booming and we are greatful to Mr Nicholson for preserving this special piece of Margate for generations to come.

William Slabbert,

William Slabbert served Margate as police Station Commander.

During this time he reduced the fear of crime by mobilising an entire community through empowerment, visible policing and recognition of achievements by his staff. At this time Margate received several national awards for crime prevention. He made a remarkable difference to Margate with his dedicated sector policing initiatives.

Val Corb

When one thinks about the Margate Tourism office, the immediate image of Val Corb comes to mind.  When one thinks customer service, a friendly face, a warm welcome, a smile and passion and commitment to tourism in Margate, Val Corb comes to mind. Add years of scribing about Margate's people, achievements, good times, bingo nights, community dances and news items - Val Corb Comes to mind.  Val Corb retired from Tourism a few years ago, but is and always will be considered as "The Tourism Queen of the Little Gem on the South Coast, Margate."

John Tack

Mr Tack is nominated for his substantial contribution to tourism and Margate's success.  He ran the Margate Publicity Association (which would later become a part of Hibiscus Coast Tourism) for many years and from his small office on Margate Beach, "wrote the book" on beach entertainment. To this day John Jack is still referred to as "Mr Margate".  If one talks about John in Margate, and even at the Margate Country Club, faces light up when they remember how he totally "wowed" the crowds visiting Margate.  He passionately kept the audience entertained for hours and had the ability to draw huge crowds, both visitors and locals to witness his wonderfully warm technique of manipulating participation, as he took the crowds from shy to euphoric and then stopped......keeping them in suspense for results of particularly beauty competitions whilst he promoted everything Margate had to offer.  Many beauty queens throughout South Africa will remember winning their first competition with John on Margate Beach.

Hazel Voice

Hazel Voice, community activist against fireworks, started Voice for the Voiceless on 1 January 2006 when she could no longer tolerate the suffering caused by the anti-social use of fireworks. Having relocated from the bustling, noisy city of Johannesburg to the tranquil, calm of Ramsgate, the violation of personal rights and space caused by fireworks became more evident than ever before.

"By night, I was comforting terrified pets.  By day, I was reading about traumatised pets, domestic animals and wildlife, babies, disabled and elderly people.  Virtually every kind of inhabitant of our glorious South Coast was being adversely affected and something had to be done about it," said Hazel Voice. It was time to get off her chair and get off her chair she did!

Hazel ran the campaign virtually single-handedly for the first year of its existence: gathering signatures, creating awareness, e-mailing news groups, ensuring press coverage, impressing upon the Municipality ... endless hours of dedicated effort.  Today, she has an effective network of active supporters determined to bring about real change.

Whilst still very frustrated that she hasn't been able to change the world ... yet ..., Hazel has had the satisfaction of seeing some change in the area:

“Because I believe that animals should not be frightened, because I believe that fireworks pollute the atmosphere and because I believe that consumers have the power to make change for the good: - I pledge not to use fireworks and I give an undertaking not to support outlets that trade in fireworks.”

Anton Botha

For more than 8 years Margate Beach has held the coveted international Blue Flag Status. And who do we have to thank. Anton Botha has served as Beach Manager for the Hibiscus Coast Municipality and in particular Margate for more than 22 years. It is the tireless commitment from his team that ensure our beaches are clean and safe that has ensured the ‘blue stone” is secure in the Margate crown. Over the 22 years he has had to deal with ravaging floods, fatal drownings and a seasonal influx of 1000’s of visitors. He is unflappable, caring, deeply concerned and committed to maintaining some of the best beaches in the world. We are sure you will agree that this contribution to Margate is immeasurable.

Heather Clarke

The queen of South African surfing, Heather has defined the style and approach of the South African surfer girl for many years now, albeit with a lot more skill than the average surfer girl. Heather is one of the most respected surfers in the country across both genders. Heather has competed and won internationally and holds the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing for women in 2000, a result etched in the Hawaiian record books. President Thabo Mbeki presented Heather with the State President’s award in 2001. In 2003 she achieved the highest placing by a South African on the WCT, the highest placing by a South African since readmission into world surfing.

Heather has remained committed to her home territory where she enjoys her time as a surf coach and continues to be a role model for all girl surfers in the country. She has showcased her talents globally and generated a curiosity for the training ground on the South Coast that has enabled her success.

Hopefully these stories will stimulate your memories of Margate and remind you of the people who have made a difference. If you know of anyone who you feel has made a significant difference to Margate please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax 086 620 3495 their name, a brief tribute and if possible a picture.

The closing date for nominations is the 30^th April 2010

The Margate Centenary Committee representatives will make the final decision on nominees. The committee represents the Hibiscus Coast Municipality, Ugu District Municipality, Ugu South Coast Tourism, The Margate Business Association and the Margate Tourism Area Sub Committee.

This project seeks to identify and honour the unsung heroes of our community. This is the idea that should be spread and nurtured so that we can all build a people centred society of which former President Mandela spoke of during his state of the nation address in 1994, an address that ushered in the democratic dispensation that many people fought so hard for. Let us make it happen!