South Africa has a colourful history. Some cities in the country have gone from being one-horse shanty towns to bustling metropoles in little more than a century. The invention of the camera in the mid-1800s has allowed for these changes to be documented photographically. The following images show a glimpse of the evolution of South African cities over the years.
1. Johannesburg
The Market Theatre in Joburg as it was. Image from the Market Theatre
The Market Theatre currently. Image from the Market Theatre
2. Cape Town
An historic image of the Woodstock Bathing Pavillion on Marine Drive that stood alongside the beach in Milnerton. Image by Etienne du Plessis
Albert Road, Woodstock. Image by Rachel Robinson
The original grain silo in what is now known as the Silo District near the V&A Waterfront. Image by Etienne du Plessis
The modern Silo Hotel, built in a portion of the grain silo. Image from Afristay
3. East London
Oxford Street, East London in days past. Image from East London of Old
East London’s Oxford Street at present. Image from Tripadvisor
An old photograph of the Buffalo Bridge in East London. Image from East London of Old
East London’s Buffalo River in modern times. Image from Cruise Mapper
4. Durban
An historic image of Durban North Beach. Image from Durban Down Memory Line
A modern image of stand up paddlers heading out to the sea, with the profile of Durban city in the background. Photo by Teagan Cunniffe
5. Bloemfontein
The Old President Museum in Bloemfontein way back when. Image from Travel Ground
Image from South African Heritage Resource Agency
6. Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth Town Hall in bygone days. Image from National Archives and Records Services
The Port Elizabeth City Hall now. Image from NMBT
7. Pretoria
The old Standard Bank building in Pretoria. Image from Standard Bank
The Standard Bank Building in 2018. Image from Flickr
Church Square in Pretoria in days past by Views from Above archives
Image from Gauteng Tourism Authority
