When a large number of people gather together a certain amount of organisation naturally occurs. In Kimberley’s case, it began with the formation of the Diggers’ Committees which grew into the Town Council. Naturally the Town Council must have a building in which to hold meetings and house the staff. So it was in Kimberley but the first town hall did not last very long. A fire in 1898 destroyed most of the building and the twenty years of records in it.

Theheritageportal

The Albany Drill Hall, Grahamstown, was built as the headquarters of the First City Regiment *?,

Mark Twain performed his At Home there in June 1896.

The hall is still used extensively for performances during the Grahamstown Festival.

ESAT

The Port Elizabeth City Hall, which is located in Market Square, was built between 1858 and 1862. The attractive clock tower was only added in 1883. The City Hall serves as a Council Chamber as well as a concert hall, a lecture hall and offices for city council employees.

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism

East London's first public hall, on the East Bank, the 'Mutual Hall', was completed in 1880. This picture of 1888 shows the 'Mutual Hall' on the left with the Municipal market building, with its bell, to the right. Note the hitching posts. (Source: East London Library)

Showme

Artefacts

The historic town hall in Komani (Queenstown), which burned down a year ago, has still not been repaired. And police investigations into the fire have gone nowhere.

Built in 1882, the sandstone town hall is one of the historic heritage sites in the Eastern Cape. It used to house the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality offices and meetings of the town council.

GroundUp

Also referred to sometimes as the Town Hall. Built in 18* to a design by * . Utilized besides housing the municipal offices, the hall itself was utilized for political rallies, receptions, balls, musical and other entertainments, including ballet, opera and theatre.

ESAT

CALEDONIAN HALL, The, Pretoria. Originally built in 18** as ** and dance hall. Also used for plays, lectures and so on. ***** Mark Twain performed his At Home there in May 1896. *** (Fletcher, 199*) [TH]

ESAT

First purpose built theatre in Johannesburg, it was a lushly decorated Victorian horseshoe shaped theatre, erected behind the Rissik street Post Office in Market Street. Seated 800 people, but with the addition of extra seats could house a 1000. (According to P.J. du Toit, 1988, it could house 1400.) It opened 1891 and became favoured venue of touring theatre and opera companies from England and elsewhere. For example Mark Twain performed his At Home there in May 1896.

ESAT

A revamped version of the old Bijou Theatre, initially called the New Bijou Theatre, it opened on 11 August 1877. **** Mark Twain performed his At Home there in 1896.***

ESAT