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In 1882 Peter Smith proclaimed the town. He named the town Dundee in memory of his original home, in a small village near Dundee, Scotland. He settled on the slopes of Talana hill, farmed the land and mined coal from 1859.
The small town of Dundee grew rapidly and attracted settlers, mainly as a result of the coal boom. In 1900 due to the large numbers of collieries in and around the town, Dundee was nicknamed "Coalopolis" - the coal metropolis.
The economy of Dundee was for the most part based on coal. The manufacture of sweets, aluminium cables and glass also played a large role in the economy of the town.
With the relocation of these factories to large urban centres the economy of our town has reverted to being based on agriculture and lo a growing extent on tourism. This short tour of our town will give you a brief glimpse of the events of yesteryear, as well as a look at our town and its people's of today.
1. Cenotaph
This memorial commemorates the men of Dundee and the surrounding areas who gave their life in the cause of freedom during the 1st World War. Their sacrifice is remembered by an annual MOTH Parade at the Cenotaph on the 11th November. Of particular interest is the name of Lt Green who survived Delville Wood, won two militarv crosses and was killed late in 1917.
2. Methodist Church
This, the third Methodist Church to be built in Dundee and was erected in 1951.
3. Enterprise Building
This double storey commercial building was erected in 1906. It housed the original Johnstone and Keith merchants who later became Blaikie Johnstone. Both Mr. Johnstone and Mr. Keith were Dundee men.
4. Boswells
This building was erected as the Biggarsberg Unity Lodge - the second Masonic Lodge - in 1898. The upper floor was the meeting hall and the bottom floor was used for entertainment - dances, theatre and cinema and was widely regarded as the finest theatre in Northern Natal. In 1901 furniture, which had been looted from homes during the Boer occupation of the town, was stored in this building for local residents to claim and remove. The name Boswells hails from its purchase bv Ralph Boswell Robertson MP in 1935.
5. C.I.D. Offices
This red stone building was the original police station in Dundee.
6. Magistrates Court
Officially opened in 1908, this is the only building in South Africa, which bears the Royal crest of Edward VII. The carpentry and inside of the building is superb. Ask for permission to have a look inside the courthouse.
7. St. James Anglican Church
This church, erected in 1898, has had a number of changes and additions to it over the years. Inside the church are plaques listing the names of the men who died in the Boer War battles of 1899-1902. It is under the aisle of this church that Rev. Bailey buried the union Jack in which Gen Penn Symons body had been wrapped. See the flag and read the story in the Talana Museum.
8. The Mews
This shopping complex was the original "Williams Hygenic Bakery". The original building and roofline have been preserved and the shops have been incorporated into the original building. The ovens from the bakery have been installed on a wall in the centre of the complex.
9. Masonic Lodge
This is the third Masonic Lodge to be built in Dundee and is the one in use today.
10. Dutch Reformed Church - Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk
The Church was designed by Gerard Moerdyk and completed in 1922. On the clock tower of this building is an impressive Anton von Wouw sculpture and plaque commemorating the Boers who fell in the battle of Talana. Although these men were originally buried on top of Talana Hill, their remains were reinterred under this plaque in 1929.
11. Moth Shellhole - War Memorial Hall
The Indumeni/Isandlwana Shellhole has a vast and unique collection of military memorabilia dating from the Anglo Zulu war of 1H79 to the present. The war memorial hall was built with funds raised by the citizens of Dundee in memory of the men of the district who fell in military engagements.
12. Trinity Presbyterian Church
This is the second Presbyterian Church to be built in Dundee and was officially opened on 15 March 1903. The roll of Honour inside the church was unveiled in 1920 and lists men who died in the First World War. There are also other memorial plaques on the walls.
13. Dundee Theatre
Mr. Atwell built this building in 1929, when he moved from the Boswells building. It was well used for the production of plays, cinema shows and entertainment.
14. Dundee and District Club
lirected as the Dundee and District Club in 1926, this building has been in constant use for this purpose.
15. Mosque
The mosque, a place of worship for the Muslim community of Dundee, was erected with contributions from the community. Tours of the mosque are possible but require prior arrangements. Arrangements may be made with the Tourism Officer.
16. Temple
This temple is a place of worship for the Hindu community of Dundee. In 1914 the great Mahatma Ghandhi worshipped here while visiting the area during his campaign of Passive Resistance.
17. Oldacre Plaza
Shops in this complex cater for the hundreds of Zulu people who travel into Dundee daily to their places of employment. It is an interestmg experience to view the articles on sale in these shops, as well as those of the pavement vendors.
18. Betania/Ebenezer Church - today Mayheno Mission and the Wesleyan Church
Baroness Posse on behalf of the Swedish Lutheran Church started this complex in the early 1890's. She had the building erected as a hosprtal and nurses home and for the first three years she paid the salaries herself. The Wesleyan Church served as a field hospital during the battle of Talana and some of the soldiers who died are buried in the small cemetery behind the church.
19. Holy Rosary Convent - today Pro Nobis School
This convent school opened In 1917 and was widely regarded for the quality of its education. It closed as a school in the early I970's. Today it is a school for mentally and physically challenged children.
20. Sibongile
This suburb of Dundee is home to about 5000 Zulu -speaking people. It is situated close to the foot of Indumeni Mountain. Visitors are welcome to visit Sibongile and experience modern Zulu lifestyles and culture. A visit to the stores and spaza shops, the shebeens (pubs) and people's homes is a fascinating und rewarding experience. Arrangements for a visit may be made with local tourist guides.
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