100 years ago: Motor Cars in South Africa

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1920, July 15 & 22

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1920, July 15

STUDEBAKER Cars

Fitted with every refinement, beautiful in appearance, strong and reliable. Available at Johannesburg Motor Mart, Rissik & Marshall Streets, Johannesburg

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1920, July 22

11˙9 BEAN - The Leader of its Class

The 11˙9 Bean is built on very robust lines to give long and faithful service to its owner even under the most arduous conditions. Hills and bad roads hold no terrors for the Bean. The highly-efficient 11˙9 engine develops more than ordinary power for its size, the springs are large and designed to withstand hard wear, the road clearance ample. One of the finest factories is responsible for its production, and modern manufacturing methods for its very moderate price.

BRIEF SPECIFICATION:

Four cylinder monobloc engine, 69 x 120 mm. Pressure fed lubrication. Zenith carburetor. HT Magneto ignition. Thermo syphon cooling. Leather to metal cone clutch. Three-speed and reverse. Bevel drive. Detachable wheels. Electric starting and lighting.

PRICES:

Chassis £450.   
Standard two-seater £600.   
Four-seater Open Touring Car £650.   
Two-seater Coupe £750. 
Two-seater Coupe £825.

A Harper, Sons & Bean, Ltd. – Works: Dudley, Tipton, and Smethwick, England

Sales organization: British Motor Trading Corporation Ltd.

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1920, July 22

WOLSELEY

Power on Hills is a distinguishing feature of the new “Wolseley” Fifteen. On ordinary inclines gear-changing is unnecessary, whilst the steepest gradient can be faced with easy confidence.

For a catalogue, write to 
*  Wolseley Motors (SA) Ltd. (Proprietors: Vickers, Ltd.)  - Globe House, 5 Hout Street, Cape Town
*  Johannesburg Motor Mart, Ltd. – Rissik Street, Johannesburg

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1920, July 22

REO Light ‘Six’

The Epitome of Reo Experience. Gracefully balanced on long, low, resilient springs, the new REO Light Six represents the newest ideas in Motor Car Manufacturers.

For particulars and a trial run, Apply to DH Saker & Co. – Johannesburg & Port Elizabeth

Natal Motor Industries – Durban, Natal

Place-names in South Africa

CAPE TIMES – 1924, May 30

C. Graham Botha mentioned that the study of South African place-names should commend itself to all. It serves a twofold purpose: it is an aid to the study of the geography of the country and stimulates an interest in its early history. Before the arrival of the Europeans in 1652 many of the bays and capes along the coast had received names. There were mostly of Portuguese origin. Others had been named later by some of the early Dutch navigators.

Inland the case was different. No white man had penetrated more than a few miles in order to barter cattle with the natives. Such names as appear on maps before this relate only to large areas occupied by the natives.

If we take places within a radius of say a hundred miles of Cape Town, we will find many that will disclose early history in their origin. Those names that have a Portuguese origin are found in several of the names of bays and capes. SALDANHA BAY was the first name given in 1503 to TABLE BAY, and commemorated a Portuguese navigator, Antonio da Saldanha. In 1601 the Dutch, however, gave its present name, which is derived from TABLE MOUNTAIN. The name SALDANHA was transferred to an inlet higher up the western coast. In 1497 Vasco da Gama anchored in ST. HELENA BAY, which he names because it was first seen on that Saint’s Day. CAPE AGULHAS (Needles) does not refer to the pointed rocks in its locality, but to the fact that the needle pointed due north. It was at first called Ponto de S. Brandao, that being the Saint in whose honour it was named. It is probable Dias dedicated the southern-most cape of all Africa to this Saint, an apocryphal Irishman, whose day is the 16^th May. On an early map of 1489 the present FALSE BAY is marked as Golfo dentro das serras (gulf within the mountain ranges). This would seem to be an appropriate name. The present name, given by the Portuguese at an early date, would appear to have derived its origin from the Cape which bore that name or vice verso.

NATIVE NAMES

When we come to the native period, and look at some of the inland names that have survived, we find these refer mostly to the physical feature of the country. SOUQUA’S DRIFT in the Malmesbury district comes from the native tribe, the Souquas, meaning murderers and robbers. The termination qua means the people of --- sons or men of. There were several qua tribes in the early days, but many of their names have not been perpetuated – e.g., the Inqua and the Chanouqua. Each native tribe usually took its distinctive tribal name from that of the chief under whom it had become independent. For instance, the Cochoqua were ruled by the Chief Cocho, and the Gonaqua by Gona. In the VAN RHYNSDORP district we find KONAQUAS BERG, probably referring to the latter. There are several Hottentot names with the termination DOUW, and sometimes TOUW. This refers to the Hottentot “daob” (feminine, “daos”) a poort, a mountain pass or path. The name with which it is compounded will invariably be found to refer to a path over or between a range of mountains. In the north-west we find such names as WIDOUW, BIDOUW, KRAKADOUW, NARDOUW, CARDOUW. Then, in the south-east, there is TRADOUW PASS, which comes from “taras” (a woman) and “daob” (a path). It may be of interest to note that SIR LOWRY’S PASS was called GANTOUW by the Hottentots, which comes from “kani” (an Eland) and “daos” – i.e., the Eland’s Paths. This would be very appropriate, for it showed that the natives followed the tracks of the eland to get over the other side of the mountain.

HIGH-PLACED OFFICIALS

The nomenclature of South Africa includes a number of names commemorating governors and government officials. The first Commander of the Cape, Jan van Riebeeck, is remembered in RIEBEECK KASTEEL, named in 1661. STELLENBOSCH was named in 1679 by Governor Simon van der Stel, to perpetuate his own name and commemorate the “bosch” or forest which he admired in the vicinity of the present town. SIMON’S BAY and SIMON’S TOWN were named after him also. SWELLENDAM, the third oldest town in the Province, was named in 1747 after Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel and his wife, whose maiden name was Ten Damme. The name of a Governor-General of Batavia, who was passing through on his way to the East, is recalled by a well-known farm in the Peninsula, INHOFF’S GIFT, recalling Baron van Imhoff’s visit in 1743. One Governor has made certain that members of his family should be lost to posterity. This was Lord Charles Somerset. There are about half-a-dozen names which he gave.  Of these there are SOMERSET WEST, PORT BEAUFORT, and WORCESTER, in addition to several towns which have streets called after him. The names of fathers-in-law of some of the Governors have also been given to places, such as CLANWILLIAM, called after the first Earl of Clanwilliam, whose daughter married Sir John Cradock. MALMESBURY was named after the first Earl of Malmesbury, the father-in-law of Sir Lowry Cole. The latter also gave his name to SIR LOWRY’S PASS, which was opened in 1830. MAITLAND, NAPIER, DURBANVILLE and DARLING all commemorate former Governors.

The names of many Government officials and statemen are included in our list of place-names. If we take our road-engineers, or those responsible for the administration there-of, we have MICHELL’S PASS, BAIN’S KLOOF, ROBINSON’S PASS, GARCIA and SOUTHEY PASSES. MONTAGU bridge, near SALT RIVER, recalls the name of John Montagu, the Secretary to Government. RIVERSDALE, named in 1838, records the name of Harry Rivers, a former Magistrate of Swellendam; PORTERVILLE, a former Attorney-General (Wm. Porter); and RAWSONVILLE, a secretary to Government. BREDASDORP, named about 1838, is one of the first towns to perpetuate the name of a South African. It was called after the Hon. Michiel van Breda, a member of the Legislative Council.

MILITARY SIGNAL STATIONS

In many districts of the Western Province will be found mountain peaks or eminences with the name of KANONKOP or KANONBERG (Cannon Hill). These are reminders of the days when the burgher militia were called to arms by means of signal guns placed on some prominent position along the mountain ranges. The first signal was given from The Castle, and the signalmen at the various stations inland took up the report and fired their cannon. On several of these points will still be found the old guns used in the 18^th century. When the alarm was sounded every farmer had to saddle up and come fully armed and with a few days’ rations. In connection with the burgher militia of those days we still have the name of PAPEGAAISBERG (Parrot Hill) at Stellenbosch. This owes its name to the fact that the militia practiced target shooting here at their annual training. The target took the form of a parrot, and points were awarded according to which part of the bird the marksman hit.

These few examples of place-names will give the motorist some food for thought. He will often find it a fascinating pastime, as he travels through various districts, to inquire the origin and history of some of the place-names.

Best Bicycles: 1906 - 1939

CAPE ARGUS - 1906, July 27

CAPE ARGUS - 1906, July 27

Raleigh Cycles

Admitted by all to be the World’s Best Bicycle, fitted with Free Wheel, 2 Rim Brakes, Tool Bag, Tools, Inflator and Clips complete.

CAPE ARGUS - 1906, July 

Rudge-Whitworth Cycle

Ask for the finest and most beautifully illustrated book ever published about Bicycles – post free.

50 models: £7to £15 15s.

CAPE ARGUS -1906, December 5

New Hudson Cycles

The Leading British Make fitted with every Up-To-Date Improvement for making cycling easy and pleasurable; and including a number of detail improvements especially valuable for South African use.

CAPE ARGUS - 1906, December 5

Raleigh Cycles are and always have been the World’s Best. Prices to suit all pockets. See our Rheebuck at 

£7. Easy payments arranged. 

CAPE ARGUS - 1906, December 20

Rudge-Whitworth Cycle

Expert Cyclists take their stand on the Rudge-Whitworth Catalogue – the most complete guide which describes the details of Britain’s Best Bicycle.

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1918, January 29

Raleigh – Rigid, Rapid, Reliable

Rigidity by its extreme strength of design; Rapidity by its beautiful construction and Reliability by the excellence of material and labour employed. With Dunlop tyres and Sturmey-Archer 3-speed gear, perfect!

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1918, February 5

Raleigh – The All-Steel Bicycle

“There are no roads at all, only narrow paths through the forests, just wide enough for one man to walk, along,” writes Mr. Percy Last, a Uganda missionary, “but my Raleigh is perfectly right and as silent as the grave. I am more than ever convinced of the value of it.”

Guaranteed for Ever – the famous all-steel bicycle, with Dunlop tyres and Sturmey-Archer 3-speed gear, is as good in jungle as on track.

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1918, February 28

Ride a B.S.A. Cycle

There are numerous occasions in every home and business place when it would be a convenience and a saving of valuable time to have a bicycle handy. Shopping, delivering urgent messages, business calls, are a few of the things which can be easily and rapidly accomplished by cycling.

Ride a B.S.A. - Perfect in every part, and ensure years of reliable service. The few shillings difference between a genuine B.S.A. and a so-called cheap machine is more than counter-balanced by the freedom from trouble and expense which B.S.A. quality gives.

Every Part of a B.S.A. Bicycle is Guaranteed Interchangeable.

CAPE ARGUS - 1918, November 18

Have you tried a Cycling Holiday?

In congenial company you can take the most interesting and delightful routes – breaking your journey just when and where you desire. Cycling will double the enjoyment and benefit of your holiday besides being much more economical than the railway.

Ride a B.S.A. Bicycle – Perfect in Every Part – and ensure cycling under perfect conditions. B.S.A. quality material and workmanship is known the world over. Every genuine B.S.A. Bicycle bears the trade mark of the three piled rifles.

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1920, July 22

B.S.A. Cycle – “Perfect in every part.”

Why not cycle those unpleasant journeys and reach your destination quicker and in comfort on a B.S.A. Bicycle? The economy, pleasure and health derived from a B.S.A. Bicycle will soon repay the initial cost. All B.S.A. parts are guaranteed interchangeable.

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, January 19

Raleigh – Easy Running

Raleigh cycling will be a new experience for the enthusiast – every part of this reliable cycle has been designed for easy-running and effortless riding. The Raleigh cycle has a fine quality steel frame, heavily enameled, ensuring a beautiful rust-proof finish. The saddle is super-strong. It pays to buy a Raleigh – the cycle with miles more wear.

Point 5 of Raleigh Perfection: HUBS

The Raleigh is Easy-riding. Ball bearings of specially hardened steel are fitted to Hubs, gear wheel and pedals. Automatic Free Wheel.

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, March 20

Strength and Endurance

Get the best out of cycling with a Raleigh – built by craftsmen for long life and dependability. All Raleigh cycles have chromium-plated spokes – the frame and mudguards are beautifully enameled with a special long wearing finish. These features keep your cycle smart. Get on to trouble-free cycling right away – get on to a Raleigh!

Point 2 of Raleigh Perfection: FORKS

Raleigh forks are tremendously strong and rigid. The crown is pressed from a single piece of steel – ensuring immense strength with exceptional lightness. Exclusive to Raleigh cycles.

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, March 20

Speed with Safety

Mile after mile of safe, effortless riding is yours when you buy a Raleigh. This famous cycle is fitted with extra dependable brakes, a super sprung saddle and many other refinements including chromium-plated steel spokes. Raleigh cycles incorporate the best design and the best workmanship – yet the cost is within reach of every cyclist’s pocket.

Point 1 of Raleigh Perfection: BRAKES

Every Raleigh cycle has rim-type action Brakes fitted with extra durable brake blocks, giving ease of control and long wear.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON - for BUSINESS or for PLEASURE?

Harley-Davidson: 1918 - 1928

We have beautiful Harley-advertisements in newspapers dating back from 1918 – 1928. Interesting to see how they advertise these cycles:

(1918, January 10, The Star Johannesburg)

The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Magnificent.

Start the New Year well – get a big brown Harley – let it take you wherever you want to go, whenever you want to go. With a three speed electrically equipped Harley-Davidson you will be absolutely right for a glorious and happy year, Sundays – Holidays – Half-days – and Evenings this big brown bike will be your willing servant, ready for a trip – ten miles or a hundred miles – up hills, through sand – it’s all the same to the Harley.

Come in and give us an opportunity to tell and show you what a Harley-Davidson will do for you. If you cannot call, write for catalogue.

Imperial Motor Supply Company, Johannesburg or

Haak & Zoon, Pretoria

(1918, March 27 - The Star Johannesburg)

1918 Harley-Davidsons showing for the first time in South Africa at Stands 19 & 20 at Consolidated Motor, Ltd., Johannesburg

These are the Big Brown Bikes of unmatched speed and power – the mounts so many riders have been waiting for. Are you one of many? In any case we hope you will make a special point of seeing the new Harley – quality’s limit – at Stands 19 and 20.

(1918, November 18 - Cape Argus)

Whether you ride for BUSINESS or for PLEASURE – in town or out of town – once a week or every hour of the day – ride the big, 3 speed Harley-DaviDons – and ride with unmatched comfort, ease, confidence and economy.

May we send you a catalogue?

The Southern Motors & Supplies Ltd., Cape Town

(1925, 8 Oktober - De Volkstem)

Die Harley bring U heen en trug, vir Plesier of vir werk, langsaam of vlug!

Mnr. Stadsman, het U ooit uitgedink hoeveel U wel uitgee aan reisgeld, en nadat U alles betaal het, U net enkel gebruiklike kaartjies kan laat sien? Reken dit uit en U sal uitvind dat U ‘n Harley-Davidson kan besit en ry vir nie meer dan dit U nou kos om na en uit die stad te gaan, en dink dan aan die heerlike week-eindes en vakansie-dae wat U sal hê. Daar is g’n end aan al die plesier wat U uit ‘n Harley kan kry.

Mnr. Boer, het dit ooit by U opgekom wat dit sou meen om ‘n Harley in U skuur te hê – die verre grense word gemaklik bereikbaar – U uitstappies na die stad is goedkoop en fluks – dit bring U op die plek om oor sake te onderhandel sonder enige las of moeilikheid – sy waarde vir U in L.S.D. is onbeperk – sy prys is baie billik en terme kan gereël word wat dit baie gemaklik vir U maak om te koop.

Waarom sou U hieromtrent g’n navraag doen nie? Die Bartle Moter Organisasie - Johannesburg, Kaapstad, Bloemfontein, Oos-Londen, Durban, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth

(1928, July 6 - Cape Times)

The Sportsman and his Harley!

After a strenuous game of golf, he mounts his machine – sinks into the ever-comfort-giving saddle – starts her up, and glides off with the ease and smoothness of a flying bird.

Such are the comforts of a 2¾ Model Harley-Davidson and they’re not so expensive either!

For full particulars apply to Southern Motors & Supplies Ltd., Cape Town

Sabrina Giacomini has interesting information about 2020's new Harley-Davidson models at https://www.rideapart.com/articles/400398/2021-harley-davidson-bronx-overview/