Baha Archive
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Galleries
  • Blog
  • Browse
  • Login
  • Register

Sophiatown

Last Days of Sophiatown

Last Days Of Sophiatown – Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof’town.

 

Take a last look and say goodbye. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a woman friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown’s tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There were no superintendents who kept files on each house-hold and there were no Black Jacks who could wake you up at 4 a.m. to take you to a location superintendent who comes at 8.30 a.m. 

There is pathos, mirth, murder and sweet abandon in her past history. Way back in the early thirties, where the Odin Cinema now stands abandoned, was the Undermoon Hall where African Jazz was born. The young set used to buy dagga from a Pedler opposite the hall, and he hid his stuff in a big tree. This hall was a rough house. Randy dames from nearby suburbs used to come for their entertainment and they caused trouble. Guys used to fight over them, using bicycle chains and knuckle dusters. 

Soon after, gangs sprouted. There were the Cowboys, who controlled a big hunk of Sophiatown, the Black Cops, the Orange and Blacks. Vivian Dladla arrived with his Berlins. The Berlins were the best gang in Sophiatown and they ruled. After the war years, came the Americans with Kort Boy, and Chanam, who was sometimes known as The Durango Kid. The former was an expert with a gun, and the latter was a two-gun toting hombre. The last of the gangs in Sophiatown were the Wibeys and on a wall at the corner of Gibson and Victoria you can see an epitaph to the gangs reading, “He who comes to destroy Dead End shall himself be destroyed and that goes for the F.B.I. too.” The F.B.I. are the cops. 

There are a lot of Boys famous in Sophiatown history. There is Boy Malaita, Kort Boy, and Fat Boitjie. You find such names as Lefty Tengo because this guy killed Tengo Jabavu, and Lefty Spoiler, because he was a member of the Spoilers. Names like Peter Bedwin, Kush Cadillac, and Steele Mercury, too. Where the folks excelled was also in naming the she-beens. 

There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright’s place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. Then there was the Clubhouse where guys drank beers and at the same time picked up weights. The House on Telegraph Hill, in Milner Street; Back of the Moon at the corner of Gibson and Milner, and the Thirty Nine Steps. Just shows you that they had imagination. This naming craze was only excelled by Can Themba’s shindicks, House of Truth and the House of Saints. 

Honest Men, Too

Don’t get away with the idea that Sophiatown’s population was only composed of the pleasure loving and the rough. She had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Mr. B.J. Mabuza, owner of Benma Court, is still sticking to his place because he can’t forget Sophiatown and its charm. 

And Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in love with her, Anthony Sampson and Father Trevor Huddleston, into world figures. 

Walking on her streets today she looks like a bombed city. The signs that say ‘We Won’t Move’ stand as a mockery to people who thought they could defend their beloved homes. The few citizens who remain are hounded out of their houses for not possessing permits. Women lock their houses during the ay because police demand pass books from them. And today there are hundreds who sleep on verandahs, live with friends, and live in the ruins. 

The City Council was urged to make a tent town and its answer was to open a red tape office. The rains are coming, and they will find many people homeless. Meantime, whites are sleeping snug in two good houses which used to belong to Dr. Xuma and to Mr. Manabhay. What can I say? It is not going to make any difference, anyhow. 

 

by Benson Dyantyi

Published in  Drum Magazine,  November 1959

    X
    Image Number: dm2002061212
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002061212:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 4091 x 2735
    Media Id: 42_808
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, 1959, November, 1950s, Sophiatown, streets, rural areas,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: BHA0008_12
    Title: o1953_283_25
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: OCTOBER 1953 Ð SNATCH! WILL MEAN MORE RACIAL CONFLICT Ð NEG 283. SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:PERSONALITIES:DRUM OCTOBER 1953 Ð Gray Mbau, 27-year-old Social Worker, lives with wife Louisa, son Jethron and niece Edna in pleasant Sophiatown, Johannesburg, cottage. Mr. and Mrs. Mbau are two of 75,000 to be ÔsnatchedÕ from Johannesburg homes. He bough his free hold property in 1951 for £1250 but under the ÔsnatchÕ Act it is evaluated at £500. He stopped all improvements through the Act so he should not lose more money. .(Photograph by Drum Photographer ©Baileys Archives) NEG 283 FRAME 25
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 4673 x 4784
    Media Id: 69_224
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: square, black and white image, South Africa, Africa, Drum Magazine, October, 1953, 1950s, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Johannesburg,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032218
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032218:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2930 x 1840
    Media Id: 43_541
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: South Africa, Drum Magazine, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, November, 1959, 1950s, streets,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm1999100801
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM1999100801:SAED:CRIME:SOCIAL:SEP1954 - 'The Americans' - Mr Drum investigates the Reefs most notorious gang. During the week they rob businesses, disguised as employees in dustcoats. During the week-ends, they loaf around the locations, dressed in flashy American clothes. After World War II most of the worlds big cities had to face another war, trying to stop the crime wave caused by the young and unemployed. America had what was called, "The street with no name that runs across the States." Johannesburg was no exception. Sophiatown, generally considered the nucleus of all Reef crimes, spawned on to the Reef more gangs than any other Location. There were gang fights over girls. They even had the services of a Bachelor of Arts High school teacher and a matriculated student to write their love letters to the decent girls who drew their fancy. For the Americans tried to be respectable when they met respectable people. (Photograph by Bob Gosani Baileys Archive) townshi
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 4630 x 4555
    Media Id: 43_577
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, Bob Gosani, square, car, September, 1954, 1950s, black African men, gangs, driving,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001021602
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001021602:SAED:SOCIAL:1955 - A private party in Sophiatown. Smart dress, smart cars. This was the time of "The Americans" - gangsters and fashion. (Photograph by Bob Gosani Baileys Archives) neg 971A, Shebeen
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 1910 x 1870
    Media Id: 69_446
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, 1950s, square, 1955, Sophiatown, black African people, socialising, party, Gauteng,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020228
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020228:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NODATE - Africa Day Celebrations 25, June - People gathered in Sophiatown to celebrate Freedom Day. (Photograph by Drum Photographer © BAHA) charter
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2960 x 1930
    Media Id: 23_371
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032812
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032812:SAED:SOCIAL:RELIGION:EDUCATION:OCT1954 - The Death Of A School - Father Trevor Huddleston with the St Peter's baseball team. One of the first results of the new Bantu Education Act in South Africa is that one of Africa's most famous schools, St Peters, Johannesburg has announced that it wil be forced to close down in two year's time. In the meantime no new pupils will be admitted. The "Eton of South Africa" as St Peters has been called, has had an astonishing record of scholarship achievement over its 32 years. But the Community of Resurrection, who run the school, feel that as a matter of principle they cannot carry on the school with the syllabus and control demanded by the new Act. The school was situated in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. (Photograph by Drum photographer BAHA) neg no 029
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 3084 x 4577
    Media Id: 43_132
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: St. Peter's, Rosettenville, black and white image, vertical, South African history, 1954, October, South Africa, Africa, Drum Magazine, 1950s, Bantu Education Act, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Father Trevor Huddleston, school, teachers, apartheid,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm1999121304
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM1999121304:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2970 x 1950
    Media Id: 69_724
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Johannesburg, Sophiatown, Gauteng, building demolition, townships, black African women, 1963, apartheid, politics, government, order, November, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001052419
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001052419:SAED:SOCIAL:CHILDREN:1955 - Sophiatown (Photograph by Bob Gosani BAHA) coca cola sign, neg 605
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Pixel Size: 1940 x 1920
    Media Id: 42_1014
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, square, Sophiatown, 1955, 1950s, Johannesburg, Gauteng, black African children, townships, laughing,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000022215
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000022215:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:FEB1955 - What Will Happen In The Western Areas - Sophiatown Residents Show Mixed Feelings About The Move - The first sixty families in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have been given orders to leave their houses, and have been offered accomodation in the new location in Meadowlands. "You are hereby required in terms of the Native Resetlement Act 1954 to vacate the premises in which you are residing..." The first date given is February 12th. (Photograph by Bob Gosani Baileys Archives)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 2160 x 1940
    Media Id: 44_131
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: 1955, February, politics, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Native Resettlement Act, moving, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001052421
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001052421:SAED:SOCIAL:CHILDREN:1955 - Funeral, Sophiatown (Photograph by Drum Photgrapher BAHA) neg 605
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 4715 x 4608
    Media Id: 43_1566
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Sophiatown, 1955, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, children, square, funeral, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032221
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032221:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - The Odini Cinema. Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it bui
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1860 x 2900
    Media Id: 43_1371
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: November, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, apartheid, vertical, politics, 1959, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001013114
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001013114:SAED:CRIME:SOCIAL:SEP1954 - The Americans - Mr Drum investigates the Reefs most notorious gang. During the week they rob businesses, disguised as employees in dustcoats. During the week-ends, they loaf around the locations, dressed in flashy American clothes. After World War II most of the worlds big cities had to face another war, trying to stop the crime wave caused by the young and unemployed. America had what was called, "The street with no name that runs across the States." Johannesburg was no exception. Sophiatown, generally considered the nucleus of all Reef crimes, spawned on to the Reef more gangs than any other Location. There were gang fights over girls. They even had the services of a Bachelor of Arts High school teacher and a matriculated student to write their love letters to the decent girls who drew their fancy. For the Americans tried to be respectable when they met respectable people. (Photograph by Bob Gosani Baileys Archive) township, we are
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 1970 x 1930
    Media Id: 43_1234
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, square, September, 1954, 1950s, Bob Gosani, black African man,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031808
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031808:SAED:SOCIAL:CHILDREN:HOUSING:1956 - Sophiatown - A young man standing on the street. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) gambling, coke
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2930 x 1840
    Media Id: 42_1040
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Johannesburg, Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, Gauteng, 1956, 1950s, black African men, street scenes,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm1999121302
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM1999121302:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Pixel Size: 4655 x 4589
    Media Id: 43_457
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, November, South African history, black and white image, 1959, square, apartheid, Sophiatown, forced removals, Group Areas Act, black African people, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032212
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032212:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:1950s - Westdene Service Station - A location next to Sophiatown. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2890 x 1840
    Media Id: 43_776
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Westdene Location, 1950s, Johannesburg, Gauteng, streets, service stations,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020235
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020235:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NODATE - Africa Day Celebrations 25, June - People gathered in Sophiatow to celebrate Freedom Day. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) charter
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2950 x 1990
    Media Id: 69_741
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: South African history, horizontal, black and white image, South Africa, Drum Magazine, black African people, Sophiatown, Freedom Day, Africa, crowds, June,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031823
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031823:SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbye. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a woman friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2970 x 1930
    Media Id: 43_100
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: November, apartheid, politics, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, 1959, Group Areas Act, forced removals, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020204
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020204:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1980 x 2930
    Media Id: 69_513
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: destruction, Sophiatown, Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, vertical, November, 1959, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000072635
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Staff
    Description: DM2000072635:SAED:SOCIAL:MAR1952 - Mr Drum, Get Ready Durban He Is Coming Your Way - Mr congratulates one of te haoppy winners of the 5 prize. Photograph taken in Sophiatown. (Photograph by Jurgen Schaderberg Baileys Archives)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Staff
    Pixel Size: 1911 x 1917
    Media Id: 20_263
    Credit: Drum Staff / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, Africa, South Africa, black and white image, advertising & public relations, square, launch, publicity, black African people, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, townships, staff, 1952, 1950s, March,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001101601
    Title: Forced removals
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001101601:GCP:SOCIAL:CHILDREN:250CT1959 - Sophia Refugee 1959 (Little Girl Crying) - I used to play here with my mates when this was our house, when Mom and Dad and Me lived here. But then the Big Men and The Big Machines came and knocked down all the houses and my friends have gone away and I'm lonely and I don't know where we're going now. That's why I'm crying. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Location: Sophiatown, South Africa
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 3121 x 3799
    Media Id: 43_936
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, Gauteng, Johannesburg, vertical, Sophiatown, forced removals, October, 1959, 1950s, black African girl, black African child, ruins, rubble, apartheid, crying,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020213
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020213:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2971 x 1947
    Media Id: 69_172
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: horizontal, black and white image, Africa, South African history, South Africa, Drum Magazine, Sophiatown, 1950s, 1959, November, black African people,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020402
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020402:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:1959 - White South Africans In A Park - Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. (Photogaph by Drum Photographer BAHA) doves, Sophiatown
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2990 x 1940
    Media Id: 70_263
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, 1959, 1950s, Sophiatown, White people, parks,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001051001
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001051001:SAED:SOCIAL:JUN1958 - Weenen Again - There's more weeping at the place of tears. A roar of flames, a cloud of smoke, and the hopes and part of the home of a family are destroyed. About 100 yards from roads from a road in the Weenen area a frail-looking woman is pecking with a stick among burnt-out ruins of a hut , dazed, not fully knowing what she is doing. After the fire and the bulldozers had vanished with the huts there was nothing left but chared rubble. ( Photograph by Peter Magubane / G.R Naidoo Baileys Archive)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3739 x 2662
    Media Id: 43_559
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, 1958, June, politics, forced removals, Group Areas Act, black African people, Weenen, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020209
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020209:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1990 x 2920
    Media Id: 19_884
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032810
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032810:SAED:POLITICS:PERSONALITY:1955 - Trevor Huddleston The Fighting Priest - In the twelve years he was in South Africa, father Huddleston became yhe greatest fugure of controrvesy. On both sides of the political fence, people formed violent views aboutwhat he said on the race problem. With two 'old friends',Huddleston at St Peter's Priority where he worked as Provincial of the Community of the Resurrection. (Photograph by Drum photographer BAHA) Photographs most likely by Bob Gosani. neg 816, caption from fifties book
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 2728 x 3510
    Media Id: 44_219
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, politics, South African history, black and white image, personality, 1955, vertical, Anglican priests, Father Trevor Huddleston, Community of the Resurrection,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020916
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020916:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:1955 - Sophiatown Removals - Sophiatown residents show mixed feelings about the move. The first sixy families in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have been given orders to leave their houses, and have been offered accomodation in the new location in Meadolands.(Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) neg 926
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2959 x 1896
    Media Id: 69_497
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: 1955, politics, apartheid, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, forced removals, Johannesburg, black African people, Native Resettlement Act, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020223
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020223:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2880 x 1950
    Media Id: 69_777
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: black and white image, South African history, Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, 1959, horizontal, 1950s, November, Sophiatown, black African people,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000042804
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000022804:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbye. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a woman friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in love with her, Anthon
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2648 x 1876
    Media Id: 43_1367
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: November, 1959, 1950s, Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, Gauteng, Johannesburg, restaurants,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020219
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020219:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3000 x 1950
    Media Id: 19_988
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020232
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020232:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NODATE - Africa Day Celebrations 25, June - People gathered in Sophiatown to celebrate Freedom Day. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) charter, dog
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2960 x 1930
    Media Id: 69_715
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: June, Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, Freedom Day, crowds, black African people,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020210
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020210:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2960 x 1940
    Media Id: 23_162
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031811
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031811:SAED:SOCIAL:CHILDREN:HOUSING:1957 - Sophiatown, children. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3010 x 1900
    Media Id: 43_365
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, 1957, 1950s, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, children, playing, townships, washing, washing lines, black African children,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031806
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031806:SAED:SOCIAL:PERSONALITY:1956 - Sophiatown - Gambling. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3000 x 1890
    Media Id: 43_68
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: black African men, 1950s, 1956, Gauteng, Johannesburg, Sophiatown, horizontal, black and white image, South African history, Africa, South Africa, gambling, Drum Magazine,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000042808
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2000022808:SAED:SOCIAL:1950's - Young boys working as caddies at the Westdene golf course near Sophiatown "gaff" with a friend. (Photograph by Drum Photographer © BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2395 x 1820
    Media Id: 23_196
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031803
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031803:SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:PERSONALITY:DEC1957 - Sophiatown Big-Shot Fight For Their Homes - People in a meeting. A new rent rise in Johannesburg's locations, bread-winners feeling the belt nipping tighten around Meadowlands, they call 'Dr Verwoerd's baby' and other township, the famous Rathebe court case: all these things are putting the searchlight back on that disputed piece of 'black land,' Sophiatown. For the Sophiatown landlords it's back to the same business of, 'We want to keep our homes.' For tenants, especially in Meadowlands, it's that uncomfortable business of paying rent. (Photograph by Peter Magubane BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: panoramic
    Pixel Size: 3030 x 1860
    Media Id: 43_768
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, December, 1957, 1950s, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Rathebe court case,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020915
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020915:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:1955 - Sophiatown Removals - Sophiatown residents show mixed feelings about the move. The first sixy families in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have been given orders to leave their houses, and have been offered accomodation in the new location in Meadolands.(Photograph by Drum Photographer © BAHA) neg 926
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3010 x 1950
    Media Id: 19_704
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020224
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020224:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2940 x 1970
    Media Id: 19_805
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020403
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020403:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:1959 - Sophiatown - Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. (Photogaph by Drum Photographer © BAHA) doves, Sophiatown
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3020 x 1980
    Media Id: 19_789
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032208
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032208:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2920 x 1870
    Media Id: 42_688
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, November, 1959, 1950s, man,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: BHA0008_9
    Title: o1953_283_21
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: OCTOBER 1953 Ð SNATCH! WILL MEAN MORE RACIAL CONFLICT Ð NEG 283. SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:PERSONALITIES:DRUM OCTOBER 1953 Ð Gray Mbau, 27-year-old Social Worker, lives with wife Louisa, son Jethron and niece Edna in pleasant Sophiatown, Johannesburg, cottage. Mr. and Mrs. Mbau are two of 75,000 to be ÔsnatchedÕ from Johannesburg homes. He bough his free hold property in 1951 for £1250 but under the ÔsnatchÕ Act it is evaluated at £500. He stopped all improvements through the Act so he should not lose more money. .(Photograph by Drum Photographer ©Baileys Archives) NEG 283 FRAME 21
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 4687 x 4733
    Media Id: 69_680
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: black and white image, South Africa, Africa, square, history, cultural history, Drum Magazine, social comments, historical value, schoolchildren, reading, library, black African child, sitting at table,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020212
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020212:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2860 x 1920
    Media Id: 23_557
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020214
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020214:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3050 x 1950
    Media Id: 23_451
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: BHA0177_003.tif
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM1999121306:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV 1959 - Last days of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city the gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorius Casbah gang den, the shebeenist of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. (Photograph by Peter Magubane BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Location: Sophiatown
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 5952 x 3970
    Media Id: 784_9
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm1999111505
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM1999111505:SAED:POLITICS:PERSONALITY:APARTHEID:OCT1954 - Western Areas Protest Meeting - African National Congress Secretary General, Walter Sisulu, addressing the meeting. Sunday, 28 June 1953: The ANC and Transvaal Indian Congress convened a public meeting at Sophiatown's Odin Cinema to protest against government plans to demolish Johannesurg's Western Areas townships - Sophiatown, Newclare nad Martindale - and to move their African residents to Meadowlands, a new State township. (Photograph by Jurgen Schaderberg © Baileys Archive) forced removals
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Pixel Size: 4697 x 4586
    Media Id: 42_583
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: secretary generals, October, 1954, 1950s, ANC, Walter Sisulu, square, black and white image, South African history, Africa, South Africa, Drum Magazine, public speaking, black African man,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020908
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020908:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:1955 - Sophiatown Removals - The Move - The first sixty families in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have been given orders to leave their houses, and have been offered accomodation in the new location in Meadowlands. "You are hereby required in terms of the Native Resetlement Act 1954 to vacate the premises in which you are residing..." The first date given is February 12th. (Photograph by Drum Photographer © BAHA) neg 926
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3010 x 1960
    Media Id: 23_287
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020233
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020233:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NODATE - Africa Day Celebrations 25, June - People gathered in Sophiatow to celebrate Freedom Day. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) charter, dog
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2920 x 1948
    Media Id: 70_81
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: June, Sophiatown, Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Freedom Day, crowds, black African people,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000101003
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000101003:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:1955 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbey. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2940 x 1990
    Media Id: 44_59
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: apartheid, 1955, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, politics, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, forced removals, Indian woman, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002041701
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002041701:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:NODATE - A family sitting in the ruins Sophiatown after the Removals. (Photograph by Peter Magubane © BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 2788 x 4118
    Media Id: 44_232
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, Johannesburg, Sophiatown, vertical, Gauteng, black African women, black African man, forced removals, ruins, apartheid,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000022209
    Title: Forced removals
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000022209:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:FEB1955 - What will Happen In The Western Areas - Sophiatown Residents Show Mixed Feelings About The Move - The first sixty families in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have been given orders to leave their houses, and have been offered accomodation in the new location in Meadowlands. "You are hereby required in terms of the Native Resetlement Act 1954 to vacate the premises in which you are residing..." The first date given is February 12th. (Photograph by Bob Gosani Baileys Archives)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Location: Sophiatown, South Africa
    Orientation: panoramic
    Pixel Size: 3030 x 1890
    Media Id: 42_944
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, 1955, February, politics, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Native Resettlement Act, moving, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002061903
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002061903:SAED:SOCIAL:WEDDING:1956 - Sophiatown General - (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 3696 x 3752
    Media Id: 43_1398
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, Johannesburg, square, Sophiatown, 1956, 1950s, weddings, Gauteng, black African people, celebrations,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020201
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020201:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:PERSONALITY:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) forced removals,
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1960 x 2980
    Media Id: 70_188
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, November, vertical, apartheid, politics, 1959, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, black African man, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031821
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031821:SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbye. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a woman friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2960 x 1880
    Media Id: 44_185
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: November, apartheid, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, politics, 1959, Group Areas Act, forced removals, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: BHA0065_013.tif
    Title: When Huddleston Goes, Jarret-Kerr Storms On Stage!
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2008110320:SAED:RELIGION:POLITICS:PERSONALITIES:APR 1956 - When Huddleston Goes, Jarret-Kerr Storms On Stage! - Jarret-Kerr took over the political role that Father Huddleston played. He's a stocky, dynamic speaker. It's much like that old Jack-in-the-Box toy, the way these Anglican priests keep coming up in the game of politics. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Pixel Size: 4332 x 4343
    Media Id: 146_15
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031801
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031802:SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:PERSONALITY:DEC1957 - Sophiatown Big-Shot Fight For Their Homes - J.R. Rathebe. A new rent rise in Johannesburg's locations, bread-winners feeling the belt nipping tighten around Meadowlands, they call 'Dr Verwoerd's baby' and other township, the famous Rathebe court case: all these things are putting the searchlight back on that disputed piece of 'black land,' Sophiatown. For the Sophiatown landlords it's back to the same business of, 'We want to keep our homes. 'For tenants, especially in Meadowlands, it's that uncomfortable business of paying rent. (Photographs by Peter Magubane BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1870 x 2960
    Media Id: 43_50
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: South African history, Africa, Drum Magazine, South Africa, black and white image, vertical, December, 1957, 1950s, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Rathebe court case, J.R. Rathebe,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000101002
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000101002:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2850 x 1850
    Media Id: 43_1240
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, apartheid, 1955, politics, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, forced removals, Indian woman, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001052422
    Title: Apartheid signs
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001052422:SAED:SOCIAL:1954 - Love Story, Sophiatown (Photograph by Bob Gosani BAHA) neg 422, Apartheid sign
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Location: Sophiatown, South Africa
    Pixel Size: 4584 x 4600
    Media Id: 43_78
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, 1950s, square, 1954, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, black African man, black African woman, embracing, streets, bus stop, apartheid signs,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001052413
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001052413:GCP:SOCIAL:BEAUTY:MAY1954 - A Day With Africa's Queen! - Ruth Bosman Mofolo, Miss Africa 1953. Waiting at a Sophiatown bus stop for her husband, her dazzling smile personality made her outstanding in a dull crowd. They went to a movie show when he arrived. The Editor said, "On Sunday, you and Bob Gosani must take the Beauty Queen out. Take her to the Zoo, to the Park, and anywhere else she orders you to take her." I held my breath and wanted to jump for joy. I wanted to say, "Chief there is no need for you to say we MUST." A chance like that was too good to miss. (Photograph by Drum Photographer Text Todd Matshikiza BAHA) neg 353
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 1960 x 1920
    Media Id: 43_1339
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, beauty queens, square, Ruth Bosman Mofolo, May, 1954, 1950s, Sophiatown, bus stop, Johannesburg, Gauteng, commuters, black African men, black African women, black African woman, smiling, streets, Miss Africa, street signs, posing,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031805
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031805:SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:PERSONALITY:DEC1957 - Sophiatown Big-Shot Fight For Their Homes - Fr. Paul Singletom, of the Anglican Church, told standholders more money was needed. A new rent rise in Johannesburg's locations, bread-winners feeling the belt nipping tighten around Meadolands, they call 'Dr Verwoerd's baby' and other township, the famous Rathebe court case: all these things are putting the searchlight back on that disputed piece of 'black land,' Sophiatown. For the Sophiatown landlords it's back to the same business of, 'We want to keep our homes.' For tenants, especially in Meadowlands, it's that uncomfortable business of paying rent. (Photograph by Peter Magubane BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2890 x 1890
    Media Id: 43_1557
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Father Paul Singletorn, December, Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, 1957, 1950s, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Rathebe court case,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: BHA0237_007.tif
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2010012705:SAED:SOCIAL:PERSONALTIES:1955 - Father Trevor Huddleston. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 5894 x 3871
    Media Id: 798_30
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020205
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020205:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:PERSONALITY:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - (Photograph by Drum Photograph BAHA) forced removals,
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1940 x 3010
    Media Id: 69_372
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: November, Drum Magazine, South Africa, apartheid, South African history, black and white image, vertical, politics, 1959, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, black African man, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032211
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032211:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: panoramic
    Pixel Size: 2980 x 1840
    Media Id: 43_492
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, November, 1959, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020208
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020208:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1930 x 2960
    Media Id: 23_205
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031822
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031822:SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbye. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a woman friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2750 x 1940
    Media Id: 42_833
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: November, apartheid, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, politics, 1959, Group Areas Act, forced removals, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000022213
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000022213:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:FEB1955 - What Will Happen In The Western Areas - Sophiatown Residents Show Mixed Feelings About The Move - The first sixty families in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have been given orders to leave their houses, and have been offered accomodation in the new location in Meadowlands. "You are hereby required in terms of the Native Resetlement Act 1954 to vacate the premises in which you are residing..." The first date given is February 12th. (Photograph by Bob Gosani Baileys Archives)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2916 x 1932
    Media Id: 43_1120
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: 1955, February, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, politics, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Native Resettlement Act, moving, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002071004
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002071004:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:NODATE - Teenagers in Sophiatown during the Removals. (Photograph by Peter Magubane BAHA) youth, poverty,school uniform
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 4371 x 2946
    Media Id: 42_616
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Johannesburg, Sophiatown, Gauteng, ruins, teenagers, forced removals, apartheid,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000091106
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000091106:SAED:SOCIAL:PERSONALITY:OCT1953 - Mr And Mrs Mbau Are Two Of 75,000 To Be Snatched From Johannesburg Homes - He bought his freehold property in 1951 for 1,250 but under the 'Snatch' Act it is evaluated at 500. He stopped all improvemnts through the Act so he shouldn't lose more money. Edna has been helped in her studies by enjoying Western Native Public Library; Will there be one near her new home after the Snatch? Sophiatown has big churches where thousands worship. Will there be any big enough in the new Snatch Townships planned by the government? (Photograph by Jurgen Schaderberg Baileys Archives) neg 287
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 1980 x 1930
    Media Id: 43_173
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: October, apartheid, politics, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, square, 1953, personality, Mrs Edna Mbau, Mr Mbau, black African family, Sophiatown, forced removals, Native Resettlement Act, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001052420
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001052420:SAED:SOCIAL:CHILDREN:1955 - Sophiatown (Photograph by Drum Photgrapher BAHA) neg 605
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Pixel Size: 1953 x 1827
    Media Id: 69_276
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, Sophiatown, square, 1955, children, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: BHA00010_34
    Title: R1954_364_1
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2008050518:SAED:SOCIAL:RELIGION:THEATRE:JAN1954 – Unto Us A Child Is Born – “The Angel said into her: “fear not, Mary, for thou has found favour with God”. A Christmas play is performed at the church of Christ The King, Sophiatown. (Photograph by Leon Levson ©Baileys Archives) NEG 364 Pix 1
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Pixel Size: 4795 x 4785
    Media Id: 69_407
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, black and white image, Africa, South Africa, historical, square, January, 1954, 1950s, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, churches, plays, Christmas,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020244
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020244:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NODATE - Africa Day Celebrations 25, June - People gathered in Sophiatown to celebrate Freedom Day. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) charter, ANC, money collection
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3019 x 1909
    Media Id: 69_588
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Johannesburg, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, apartheid, celebrating, Africa Day, Freedom Day, politics, black African people, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: BHA00010_35
    Title: R1954_364_2
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2008050523:SAED:SOCIAL:RELIGION:THEATRE:DRUM JAN 1954 Unto Us A Child Is Born And Mary arose in those days, and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it come to pass, that Elizabeth heard in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.. A Christmas play is performed at the church of Christ The King, Sophiatown. (Photograph by Leon Levson ©Baileys Archives) Pix 2 NEG 364
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Pixel Size: 4667 x 4763
    Media Id: 69_244
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: square, black and white image, South Africa, Africa, Drum Magazine, January, 1954, 1950s, Christmas, Sophiatown, drama, plays,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032222
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032222:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - The Odini Cinema. Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it bui
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1870 x 2810
    Media Id: 42_881
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: November, apartheid, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, politics, vertical, 1959, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: BHA0008_8.tif
    Title: o1953_283_12
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2011053001:SAED:POLITICS:PERSONALITIES:OCT 1953 – Gray Mbau, 27-year-old Social Worker, lives with wife Louisa, son Jethron and niece Edna in pleasant Sophiatown, Johannesburg, cottage. Mr. and Mrs. Mbau are two of 75,000 to be ‘snatched’ from Johannesburg homes. He bought his free hold property in 1951 for £1250 but under the ‘snatch’ Act it is evaluated at £500. He stopped all improvements through the Act so he should not lose more money. (Photograph by Drum Photographer ©BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Pixel Size: 4681 x 4764
    Media Id: 130_18
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031818
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031818:SAED:SOCIAL:POLITICS:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbye. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a woman friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1857 x 2950
    Media Id: 43_270
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, vertical, November, apartheid, politics, 1959, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000022212
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000022212:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:FEB1955 - What Will Happen In The Western Areas - Sophiatown Residents Show Mixed Feelings About The Move - The first sixty families in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have been given orders to leave their houses, and have been offered accomodation in the new location in Meadowlands. "You are hereby required in terms of the Native Resetlement Act 1954 to vacate the premises in which you are residing..." The first date given is February 12th. (Photograph by Bob Gosani Baileys Archives)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2990 x 1990
    Media Id: 44_156
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: 1955, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, February, politics, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Native Resettlement Act, moving, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000072634
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Staff
    Description: DM2000072634:SAED:SOCIAL:MAR1952 - Mr Drum, Get Ready Durban He Is Coming Your Way - Mr congratulates one of te haoppy winners of the 5 prize. Photograph taken in Sophiatown. Luckiest man in Alexandra! Mr Kingdom Xaba, of 163, 9th Avenue, Alexandra, seen when he had just been presented with Mr Drum's 5 note. Although he is not married, Mr Xaba says he will not buy a wife with his lucky money! (Photograph by Jurgen Schaderberg Baileys Archives)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Staff
    Pixel Size: 1920 x 1930
    Media Id: 69_75
    Credit: Drum Staff / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, Africa, South Africa, black and white image, square, advertising & public relations, launch, publicity, black African people, townships, staff, March, 1952, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002031807
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002031807:SAED:SOCIAL:CRIME:1956 - Sophiatown - Playing Muraba-Raba. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) gambling
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2970 x 1900
    Media Id: 43_427
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Johannesburg, Sophiatown, Gauteng, 1956, 1950s, black African men, Muraba-Raba, boardgames,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020404
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020404:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:1959 - Sophiatown - Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. (Photogaph by Drum Photographer © BAHA) doves, trucks, bridge, old cars
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 3000 x 1990
    Media Id: 19_767
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000022211
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000022211:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:AUG1954 - Crisis Over Western Areas - Meadowlands, the houses everyone is watching. These are some of the houses being built for the 75 000 people to be evicted from Johannesburg's Western Areas. Squaters nearby want to move in. Western Areas residents don't want them. The police are guarding against squaters. (Photograph by Peter Magubane Baileys Archives)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2910 x 1890
    Media Id: 42_726
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, 1955, February, politics, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Native Resettlement Act, moving, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032203
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032203:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2810 x 1853
    Media Id: 43_1308
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, November, apartheid, politics, 1959, Group Areas Act, forced removals, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020222
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2005020222:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen who fell in l
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1970 x 2960
    Media Id: 19_925
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032204
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032204:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2960 x 1870
    Media Id: 43_1254
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, November, apartheid, politics, 1959, Group Areas Act, forced removals, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001112210
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2001112210:SAED:SOCIAL:NODATE - Tsotsi's, Sophiatown. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2721 x 1975
    Media Id: 43_1271
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Johannesburg, Sophiatown, Gauteng, tsotsi's, gangsters, black African men, smoking,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000022214
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2000022214:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:FEB1955 - What Will Happen In The Western Areas - Sophiatown Residents Show Mixed Feelings About The Move - The first sixty families in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, have been given orders to leave their houses, and have been offered accomodation in the new location in Meadowlands. "You are hereby required in terms of the Native Resetlement Act 1954 to vacate the premises in which you are residing..." The first date given is February 12th. (Photograph by Bob Gosani Baileys Archives)
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2868 x 1884
    Media Id: 43_1170
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: 1955, February, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, politics, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Native Resettlement Act, moving, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032210
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032210:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2950 x 1870
    Media Id: 43_54
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, South Africa, Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, Sophiatown, November, 1959, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2000072653
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2000072653:SAED:POLITICS:PERSONALITY:APARTHEID:OCT1954 - Western Areas Protest Meeting - Sunday, 28 June 1953: The ANC and Transvaal Indian Congress convened a public meeting at Sophiatown's Odin Cinema to protest against government plans to demolish Johannesurg's Western Areas townships - Sophiatown, Newclare nad Martindale - and to move their African residents to Meadowlands, a new State township. (Photograph by Jurgen Schaderberg © Baileys Archive) forced removals, Father Huddleston, neg 414
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories
    Pixel Size: 3631 x 3543
    Media Id: 19_936
    Credit: Drum Stories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2002032224
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2002032224:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NOV1959 - Last Days Of Sophiatown - Big machines and men with picks are beating down the last walls of Sof'town. Take a last look and say goodbuy. Sophiatown, the city that was within a city, the Gay Paris of Johannesburg, the notorious Casbah gang den, the shebeeniest of them all. Sophiatown is now breathing for the last time. I was robbed on her streets, beaten up in her dark corners and I will never forget the day when a womean friend of mine was grabbed from me by Sophiatown's tough sons. Her people do not like the fact that she is being murdered and I sympathise with them because she was a free city. There was Aunt Babes, in Edith Street. Bright's place in Tucker and opposite him the Carlton Hotel, run by a Chinaman. She also had her respectable citizens. There was Dr. A.B. Xuma, the African M.D., and Mr J. R. Rathebe, who reminded everybody that he was once in America. Sophiatown will also boast that it built two gentlemen w
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Orientation: portrait
    Pixel Size: 1860 x 2900
    Media Id: 43_676
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: November, apartheid, politics, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, vertical, 1959, forced removals, Group Areas Act, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1950s,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020254
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020254:SAED:POLITICS:APARTHEID:SOCIAL:NODATE - Africa Day Celebrations 25, June - People gathered in Sophiatown to celebrate Freedom Day. (Photograph by Drum Photographer BAHA) charter, ANC
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: landscape
    Pixel Size: 2980 x 1960
    Media Id: 69_225
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: Drum Magazine, horizontal, black and white image, black African people, South African history, Africa, South Africa, crowds, June, Freedom Day, Sophiatown,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2005020932
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Social Histories
    Description: DM2005020932:SAED:SOCIAL:APARTHEID:NODATE - Teenagers in Sophiatown during the Removals. (Photograph by Peter Magubane BAHA) youth, poverty. neg 889
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Social Histories
    Country: South Africa
    Orientation: panoramic
    Pixel Size: 2990 x 1840
    Media Id: 69_610
    Credit: Drum Social Histories / Baileys African History Archive / Africa Media Online
    Keywords: teenagers, 1950s, Drum Magazine, South Africa, South African history, black and white image, horizontal, apartheid, black African youth, forced removals, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, Group Areas Act, Native Resettlement Act, poverty,
    Model Release: No
    Property Release: No

    X
    Image Number: dm2001013115
    Path: Africa Media Online / Bailey's African History Archive / Drum Stories
    Description: DM2001013115:SAED:CRIME:SOCIAL:SEP1954 - The Americans - Mr Drum investigates the Reefs most notorious gang. During the week they rob businesses, disguised as employees in dustcoats. During the week-ends, they loaf around the locations, dressed in flashy American clothes. After World War II most of the worlds big cities had to face another war, trying to stop the crime wave caused by the young and unemployed. America had what was called, "The street with no name that runs across the States." Johannesburg was no exception. Sophiatown, generally considered the nucleus of all Reef crimes, spawned on to the Reef more gangs than any other Location. There were gang fights over girls. They even had the services of a Bachelor of Arts High school teacher and a matriculated student to write their love letters to the decent girls who drew their fancy. For the Americans tried to be respectable when they met respectable people. (Photograph by Bob Gosani © Baileys Archive) township, we are not sure
    Collections: Baileys African History Archive
    Subcollections: Drum Stories