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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2002-01 > 1012078798


From: Keith Meintjes <>
Subject: Re: [Re: Cape town notables - 1832 - School of Industry]
Date: 26 Jan 2002 16:00:01 EST


There are a number of references to the School of Industry in the SA Archives,
dating from 1830 to 1968. An address is given as 16 Roeland Street.

Reading between the lines, I would guess it was a church-run primary school
for coloured children, and was a casualty of the clearing of District Six.

Keith
=================
"M Schmidt" <> wrote:
I was unable to find any reference to a School of Industry in the
redoubtable Eric Rosenthal's Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. Nevertheless
I have distinct childhood memories of a "School of Industry". I received my
early primary education from Dominican nuns at St Mary's Convent which was
situated behind St Mary's Cathedral, often referred to on this list. I
would often walk home past the Cathedral and up Roeland Street to the
firestation where my family lived in a flat. At the bottom of Roeland
Street, situated between Stollys Motors (G..M. franchise) and a one man
carpentry/cabinet makers business was a panhandle which led to a school
situted behind the buildings fronting Roeland Street. There was a gate
across the panhandle entrance and over it was a wrought iron arch. The arch
bore the inscription: "School of Industry founded ....." My memory fails
me as to the date. However, the following quote from "Cape Town The
Making of a City" (Worden/van Heyningen/Bickford-Smith) p.136: "A school of
industry funded by the Ladies' Benevolent Society was opened in 1824 for
girls between 5 and 12 years 'whose parents are destitute of the means of
procuring them other instruction'. Education 'suited for their station in
life' was provided and consisted of reading and writing as well as
needle-work and sewing. This had a dual purpose since 'plain work is taken
in at a very moderate price, the profits arising from it contributing to the
support of the school.' By the late 1820s daughters of free blacks and
slaves were being admitted."

When I knew the school it was a primary school for "coloured" children
living in District 6 (not yet demolished). Roeland Street was one of the
borders of District 6.

The Infant School is also referred to in my source, however, the reference
is more complicated. Suffice to quote (p.135) "In 1830 an
interdenominational missionary committee established a number of infant
schools." If there is any interest I can mail a longer quote on the Infant
Schools.

Mervyn

----- Original Message -----
From: Kearney & Roberts <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 7:58 AM
Subject: Cape town notables - 1832


> Can anyone submit any infomation on these gentlemen. They all met Reverend
> William Watson, a missionary from London, who stayed in Capetown in
February
> 1832 on his way to Australia. I transcribed a four page letter from
Watson,
> dated Table Bay, 28 February 1832, which I'd be glad to share with
> interested parties.
>
> Mentioned by Watson:
> Revd Dr Burrows - Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge
> Revd Dr Philip (missionary?)
> Revd Mr Hough Colonial Chaplain
> Rev Dr Wakes
> Revd Dr Burrows
> Revd Dr Adamson of the Scotch Church
> Revd Mr Beck of Dutch Mission Church
>
> Watson also refers to the Infant Schools & the School of Industry. Does
> anyone know of these?
>
> David R
> Newcastle, NSW
>
>
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