A Drive Down Marshall Street II
Above: Marshall Street, directly opposite from the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court.
posted by The Real Realist at 12:22 AM
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Above: Marshall Street, directly opposite from the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court. About Me
- Name: The Real Realist
- Location: Previously of the God-Awful Johannesburg, No longer in the Hellhole of Gauteng
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21 Comments:
Realist
Could you identify the date, day and time of day you take your pics please. Generally the areas appear to be deserted. Does this mean that weekends are the only safe time for you to undertake your photo surveys?
laager said...
Realist
Could you identify the date, day and time of day you take your pics please. Generally the areas appear to be deserted. Does this mean that weekends are the only safe time for you to undertake your photo surveys?
You are correct. I took these pictures on Saturday afternoon, 29 July, between 3 and 5 pm, when the major crowds had moved off to the taxi ranks at Joubert Park. That is why the Joubert Park pictures were all taken from the car, moving, and why those pictures show the 'normal' crowds.
Next time you are the area could you please make an appointment for me to see Dr. Makita, I'm feeling sick
Oh, I remember making my way, by train, from Pretoria, to Heaven, every Saturday night, spent all night boogying and chatting to mates, and making my way back home, after Cafe Vienna...my heart is breaking, this blog has actually given me some bad "nighmares".
I used to work at Unicorn House and my wife worked other side of Marshall St at the Chamber of Mines, in 79/80, and we even caught a bus to/from work as well. Did the mining houses stay in the CBD or did they all exit as well??
Anonymous said...
I used to work at Unicorn House and my wife worked other side of Marshall St at the Chamber of Mines, in 79/80, and we even caught a bus to/from work as well. Did the mining houses stay in the CBD or did they all exit as well??
The mining houses ran so far away that Anglo American moved its head office to London, UK.
Its interesting to see the frontage of The Doors nightclub is STILL there. I worked in that building for 3 odd years, promoting live music and helping with marketing the venue. Its hard to believe that this wreck used to hold 4 nights of rock music nights a week in its peak and pull massive custom from all over the Witwatersrand region.
I do remember the venue when it was called Heaven as well, and had been in there once when I was waaay too young to be in there. Club Double Image was due south by four or five roads from this venue. King Rat T-shirts was across the road.
I had alot of good times in this place, both socially and professionally... its very sad to see how backwards its gone. Anyone remember Malcolm that was the manager here? Costa that was always doing the door smoking a cheroot? The bouncers Johan and co?
This venue was owned the a Greek guy called Jimmy [different to the Jimmy from the Three Catsles Building, who was Zulu]. He also owned The Carlton Dome which became Masquarade across from the Carlton Centre, as well as Bella Napoli in Hillbrow and The White Horse Inn in Randburg as well as a few places in Pretoria. He was very mafia!!!
James
I also went to The doors nightclub... Left SA in '94 returned once or twice but completely forgot about SA until recently. Spoke to a SA and they told me their neighbours got highjacked - the whole family was in the car - the 14 year old daughter in the car was raped. I don't even know someone that has been mugged - never mind highjacked at gun point or raped.. Is this true?? If yes - what the hell are you doing there????
Brave man walking down those street with a camara.
I remember Johannesburg with great affection in the early 70s. We used to have a great time.
I used to live at the Doors night club in the 90's and can remember walking around the streets in the middle of the night without worry. Its sad to see what has happened to the CBD, but thankfully that does not tell the whole story of JHB or SA. To answer another response, I do remember Malcom and Costa especially who was a really great guy. I have fond memories of them and the place. Good times. Thankfully, the good times are continuing, just elsewhere ;).
It is so sad to see the decay in Jozi. Have you seen the sign they put up in COmmissioner street. Its all bout urban renewal and changing the CBD into a fashion district or something. And further down the street is a building that has been converted into R800k new york style bachelor apartments. Wonder if they have been sold yet?
It looks great for a Sierra Leone type street shoot-out
As I posted elsewhere, looks like any inner city in any major metro area of the US.
Wherever they go, Africa goes with them.
I am looking in vain for any white people in these photos. It shouldn't surprise me that none are to be seen.
Ah..The Doors.. lived there in the 90's too! What a mess! ... yes.. Malcolm, Pierre, those big twin brothers.. Johnny n Adrian...
the old boys from the south too... Weinsteins.. haha.. those were the days..
Crying Shame... and people ask me why I left!? .. well... cant quite put my finger on it! ..
Whever they go africa goes with them. What a true statement.
Visited a beautiful country and city of Durban in 75. Such a shame now.
Consolation, we have more than enough Africa right here in the US. Even in Phoenix where I am.
You know, reading the comments on this page and looking at the pictures conjures up images of Atlantis, minus the submerged part.
My father rented a floor of the Marshall St "castle" in the early 1970's, can remember playing there as a child!
I want to apologize as an American for forcing our views upon the people of South Africa. For some reason we felt like we had to force our own racial paradigm/history upon another country. We should have left you alone to work out your issues yourselves. I began hearing information coming out of South Africa from a link that no longer exists called "fly the beloved country".
If you've seen that film with Will Smith - I am Legend - this ruin of a city is the real film set! You should've waited til dark to see if the zombies came out of their hidey holes..
How the fuck can this happen to Johanesburg ?? I would walk around these streets in the late 80's early 90's in my goth outfit in the early hours of the morning without a hassle.
What happened ? Glad I live in Europe now but makes want to cry seeing these photos.
I did my appyship at 222 marshall street Otis elevators in 1975 to 1977 and walked down Marshall street at alltimes of day and night (after hours call ). Never had one bit of hassle. It is embarrasing and disappointing to see it in this state and sadly it will only get worse
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