DR DEAN ALLEN PRESENTS: ‘MATJIESFONTEIN REVISITED’ - THE JEWEL OF THE KAROO

Sun Aug 23, 18:00 - Sun Aug 23, 19:00

Event is online

ABOUT

“The Downton Abbey of South Africa” “An Amazing Story – Told with Passion!” “Spellbinding”


Dr Dean Allen returns with the follow-up to his hugely successful talk ‘Empire, War and Cricket in South Africa’. Dean, a best-selling author and historian, tells the colourful and entertaining story of Matjiesfontein and how this wonderful Karoo town was wrapped up in the intrigue and politics of the late Victorian era. The history of South Africa’s favourite summer pastime - cricket – will be explored as well as its connection with the founder of Matjiesfontein - one James Douglas Logan. Indeed, Cecil Rhodes is on record as saying he had only met two creators in South Africa, one being himself and the other James Logan!


Based upon years of research in South Africa and the United Kingdom, and using original archive material (including many unseen photographs) Dean Allen’s fascinating talk will reveal more amazing stories from this period in history as well as uncover the personality of James Logan and how he created one of South Africa’s most treasured towns. Dean will reveal how this unique period in our past can teach us so much about what is happening in the country today. He will also explain his own special relationship with both Matjiesfontein and South Africa in general. It is a truly amazing story that has had many British and South African audiences enthralled.


This talk again forms part of the fundraising efforts to support the community at Matjiesfontein at the time of the current Covid-19 pandemic.