The Pretoria National Botanical Garden, located in the suburb of Brummeria in east Tshwane, was established in 1946 after the University of Pretoria’s experimental farm and private properties were acquired by the Department of Agriculture. The garden was formerly known as the Transvaal National Botanic Gardens, and was primarily a research facility under the management of the Botanical Research Institute, which dates back to 1903.
Fort Klapperkop had guns mounted on ramparts that could be revolved and fired through numerous openings for maximum firepower in any direction. Trenches and barbed wire further prevented infantry infiltration. The fort harnessed the latest communication systems, which saw the telegraph rooms equipped with telephones. The fort had unique features – it was built with a moat around it and a drawbridge, but the moat was never filled with water. The fort was supplied with running water from a pump station that it shared with Fort Schanskop and electricity was generated by a paraffin engine.
The lighthouse on Umhlanga’s beach was completed in 1954 and has been the subject of numerous paintings and memorabilia. Built to replace the Bluff lighthouse, which was commissioned in 1869 but had to be abandoned due to its rapid deterioration, it stands guard to some of the most treacherous waters of Southern Africa and not only warns ships of the hidden dangers, but the flashing light is also a welcome to the ships sailing into the safety of the Durban harbour.
