A tale of empire, war and cricket - Dean Allen · 4/22/2015  · 10 Wednesday April 22 2015...

LITERARY BolanderWednesday April 22 201510

KAREN WATKINS

Fifteen years in the making, Empire,War & Cricket in South Africa spansthe fascinating story of the coun-

try's unique social and political history,the gold and diamond rush and work-ings of the British Empire.

The first I heard about the book waswhile on the Forgotten Route, a two-day whistle-stop tour from Cape Townto Matjiesfontein.

I eagerly awaited its launch but thisonly happened about two years later,on Wednesday April 15 at the BookLounge in Roeland Street. AuthorDean Allen, who lives in Green Point,was in conversation with assistant editorof the Cape Argus, Michael Morris.

But not to worry if you missed it asthere will be another one at the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, Constantia, on Thurs-day May 7.

With all the hullabaloo around stat-ues, Dean questions the timing of thelaunch as the book revolves around twocontroversial giants who helped shapethe Cape's rich history. The openingparagraph reads: “Cecil John Rhodesonce said he had only met two creatorsin South Africa: himself and JamesDouglas Logan, the Scottish-bornfounder of Matjiesfontein.”

He also pondered how a man likeLogan slipped through South Africa'shistorical cracks, what with him build-

ing his fortunes through diamonds,gold and insider trading. However,Logan not only took but also gave back,leaving behind a rich legacy and atreasure trove of buildings at the Victo-rian Karoo village of Matjiesfontein.

Brought up in England, this author,guest lecturer and speaker said therewould be dozens of books about Loganif he had lived in Britain.

“But then he would not haveachieved what he did if he had stayedat home,” said Dean.

Logan was born in Scotland and, atthe age of 19, was on his way to Aus-tralia. Arriving in South Africa in 1877was well timed, what with the railwaysopening up. He stayed, and within six-months, through business, politics andhis high-profile association with influ-ential people, went from pauper to sta-tion master – amassing a fortune alongthe way.

He also turned what was once a onehorse town that died after the mainhighway was re-routed, into a healthresort for the rich and famous.

Matjiesfontein attracted the richand famous, including South Africannovelist Olive Schreiner, who wrote AnAfrican Farm there. And England crick-eter George Alfred Lohmann, who wason his way to Beaufort West whenLogan met him off the ship – and tookhim to Matjiesfontein. Lohmann is saidto have been the greatest cricketer who

ever lived. But above all, the book is the

untold story of how James Loganwas instrumental in developingthe game of cricket in SouthAfrica at a time when the coun-try was heading towards war withthe British Empire.

Dean said the chapter aboutthe Anglo-Boer war breaking outis his favourite. About 12 000troops and 20 000 horses arrivedon Logan's doorstep. Enter thatmost favoured of imperial pas-times – cricket.

Wherever the British went thegame went with them. Whereverthere was turmoil they wouldsend in a team, and their foeswould be playing with them.

Cricket also opened a doorfor Logan, raising his socialstature. At that time, and stilltoday, it was a money makinggame and Logan used it to makeeven more money.

He even had the captain andmanager of England's cricket

team arrested as they boardedtheir ship home, because theyowed him money.

Cricket is not the focus of thebook, but instead weaves its waythrough the story.

Michael asked how he feelsabout Logan after over 15 yearsof research and writing. “I feel Iknow him inside out. He was anopportunist,” said Dean.

He first visited Matjiesfonteinin 1997 and fell in love with thewide open skies and space. Atthat time he was one of few Eng-lishmen at Stellenbosch Univer-sity. In fact, his class of 100 washeld in English just for him.

Dean said the Victorian vil-lage is one of the best preservedhe has ever seen. Dave Riordenbought Matjiesfontein in 1968,and it is now owned by the lateLiz McGrath, as well as the Cel-lars Hohenort in Constantia.

Dean met her twice, and saidshe had an incredible vision forMatjiesfontein and loved his

book As for Rhodes statue? “It was

inevitable this would happen. AsTutu once said, history is there tobe learnt from. My feeling is thatthe statue will open dialogue,who are these people, what dothey represent? There is a legacyfrom this period. It is good andbad,” said Dean.

So, step back in time, enterthe hinterland and read ofLogan's close relationship withRhodes and how their 'shadydealings' brought down the Pre-mier's first government.

Meet explorers and diamondminers in the quaint colonialoasis that appears frozen in itsVictorian era glory days and isfilled with glamour, mystique,magic and ghosts.

Illustrated throughout withphotographs and documents,Empire, War & Cricket in SouthAfrica is published by ZebraPress, an imprint of PenguinRandom House.

A tale of empire, war and cricketn CapePeninsulaUniversityTechnologyWellingtonstudent AnelLouw withauthor DeanAllen.

n The burial place of James Logan and his wife Emma Pauline Logan., 10km from Matjiesfontein.n The burial place of cricket legend George Lohmann, 10km fromMatjiesfontein.

What’s OnPPPoooeeetttrrryyy CCCiiirrrcccllleeePoetry Circle at Central library Cape Town will resume onSaturday April 25 from 2pm to 4pm. There will be a guestpoet and an open mic session.Entry is free and light refreshments will be served. Formore information, call 021 444 0988 or 083 539 8442.

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