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Panoramic view of the village of Mbabane, 1910 - 1911

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y30546A/32

Scope and Contents

206 x 155 mm. A view from the neighbouring hill looking down on Mbabane with the race course in the foreground, the village beyond, and alluvial tin workings in the Mbabane River in the background. An interesting view showing the smallness of Swaziland's capital in the early years of the century. Originally a settlement near a cattle kraal established by King Bandzene (1857-1889), tin was discovered in the Mbabane River in 1892 and the arrival of a Special Commissioner who set up administrative headquarters in the village in 1902 gave the impetus for growth. In the 1966 census the town had a population of nearly 14 000.

Dates

  • Creation: 1910 - 1911

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Biographical / Historical

Photographer unknown.

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Fair condition, but overall faded patches.

Related Materials

Another view of the race course is at Y30546A/39. .

General

PJ. This additional information was supplied by Huw M. Jones. A view of Mbanane in 1911 from the hills to the north. The road to the lower right is the road to Forbes Reef and Pigg's Peak (later Allister Miller Street); the road which climbs the hill to the right goes to the border at Darkton (later Gillfillan Street); the road that follows the Mbabane River goes to the Residency (now the line of the Mbabane By-pass). The buildings are concentrated on the eastern end of Allister Miller Street with the Government buildings surrounded by a grove of eucalyptus trees. The prominent road from the government buildings goes down to and across the Mpolonjeni stream and up to the circular drive which is the grounds of the Police Camp where the bachelor police and administrators lived. The road that goes over the hills to the south goes past the hospital buildings leading eventually to Fyffes on the western border or to Mankayane. On the left the road goes to Bremensdorp. Note the alluvial tin workings along the Mbabane River and up Rowley's Creek in the centre of the photograph. (The racecourse is not visible).

Originator(s)

Unknown

Finding aid date

2002-10-23 12:14:07+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom