Conservation society hosts annual Rhodes lunch

The Muizenberg Historical Conservation Society hosted the annual Cecil John Rhodes lunch at Rhodes Cottage on Sunday.

Chairperson Chris Taylor said the lunch was held annually at Rhodes Cottage in Muizenberg on the closest Sunday to Rhodes’s death, March 26, 1903, also known as Plumbago Day because that was Rhodes’s favourite flower.

Members and guests gathered to learn about the British imperialist and to enjoy a taste of his favourite meal - cold roast lamb with bread and champagne.

Guest speaker Gabriel Clark-Brown, of Rosebank, spoke about repairing the vandalised bust of Rhodes at Rhodes Memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Francis Macey. The bust has been the target of attacks on several occasions and Mr Clarke-Brown steps in as soon as possible to fix it.

The bronze bust of Cecil John Rhodes was the work of John Macallan Swan, an English painter and sculptor, who also crafted the lions lining either side of the Rhodes Memorial.

Muizenberg Historical Conservation Society hosts historical talks, usually but not always relevant to Muizenberg, and walks. Contact 082 908 3456, or info@muizenberghistory.co.za