A quick post while I finish up Troyeville…

British Pathe recently uploaded 85 000 newsreel clips from 1896 to 1976 to Youtube. Here is the link to the entire collection. There are many particular to South Africa and Johannesburg. This one shows Johannesburg traffic in 1934.

So where exactly is this? Considering the footage is 80 years old, I was able to pinpoint the first part of the clip. It’s the old Clarendon traffic circle that was situated at the intersection of Empire Road, Twist Street and Louis Botha Avenue (previously East Avenue). The circle was constructed in 1931 to assist with traffic flow. It was removed in the late 1950s. My guess is that Johannesburg had a much bigger driving population and larger bus network after WW2. The circle became a hindrance and caused major back-ups.

I couldn’t make out the first building in the background. I thought it was ‘Majestic Mansion’ but it doesn’t match up to the pictures I have. The second building seen on the right with the balconies is unmistakably ‘Brenthurst Place’ which still stands today. I lived there between 1987-1990 so know it well.

The second part of clip is a little harder but I’m guessing it’s Eloff Street only because it was the most popular shopping street in Johannesburg. Just ask anyone who has played the  South African edition of Monopoly.

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