Byways Of Enchantment - South Africa (1950s)

[Music] Penetrating to the interior of South Africa by safari was at one time an arduous and hazardous journey. And as such, the safari became familiar to millions who saw it dramatized in frequent adventure movies like Tarzan. But as the faded condition of these scenes suggests, the safari, for all its romance, has seen its day in South Africa. Long ago, the paths of the men on safari were followed and widened by others who had come not to visit, but to remain. [Music] The wagons of the early settlers in South Africa were pulled by oxen, but otherwise resembled the prairie schooners that rolled across our own West. And as in America, the pathways they followed were soon straightened and later hard-topped, eventually to become the familiar pace-setting highways of today. Wonders of nature that once were accessible only to a few now offer an exciting challenge to anyone with a car key or a bus ticket. The excitement, the promise that is Africa, gives the mere act of stepping into a rented car the feel of adventure. In the touch of your accelerator, in the turn of a wheel, is the thrilling power to explore. Where better to begin than the northern capital, Pretoria? Here, the classic Union Building commemorates the organization of the Union in 1910, when four separate provinces or states became the Union of South Africa. The many monuments marking the skyline of Pretoria are an indication of how conscious South Africa is of its early struggles and achievements. It is a pride that Americans, especially, must recognize and condone. The Voortrekker Monument recalls the Great Trek of 1836, a spectacular march into the interior made by many hundreds of Dutch descended colonists. They endured extreme hardships to secure self-government. Today, however, moving between the main cities of South Africa is no hardship. On the contrary, it is a rare motoring thrill made easy and safe by the national road system. For example, it is a relaxed daylight drive from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, capital of the Orange Free State. Bloemfontein is named the center city, for like our St. Louis, it is the geographic hub of the nation. Besides being the capital of its province, Bloemfontein is distinguished as the judicial heart of South Africa. A function that has added a grace to the local architecture. This is the provincial council chamber, which serves the Orange Free State, just as our state legislatures are the lawmaking bodies for the individual states in our country. Even in South Africa, the spectacle of the countryside sometimes must wait. Incidentally, this pool is more than 450 ft long, almost enough room to navigate the Big Hole. Just over 2 hours drive from Bloemfontein is Kimberley, scene of some of the most vivid chapters in South African history. Kimberley is the famous diamond city. In 1867, the discovery of the precious stone brought a great flood of diamond seekers to this spot. The concentrated efforts of all these diggers resulted in this gaping man-made excavation, now called the Big Hole. Today, hundreds of tons of ore must be elaborately processed to produce the merest handful of the raw and rare mineral. But South Africa is still the greatest producer of gem diamonds in the world. Vast water power is needed, as the separation of the diamond from the blue ground is a never-ending process of washing. The results are breathtaking to behold, however. The hardest mineral substance on Earth, these diamonds can be cut only by other diamonds. Stones from this mine have influenced the course of history. [Music] Security is a matter of constant vigilance at Kimberley. Watch the trainer put these watchdogs through their paces. [Music] Thieves think twice where the law moves on four feet. The urge to keep moving, to enjoy more and more of the African panorama, is irresistible. After Bloemfontein and Kimberley, we continue south to Cape Town, the largest seaport in South Africa. The new national road tunnels and curves through majestic mountain lands on its way to Cape Town. The millions of dollars spent on this highway, and the scope of the project itself, seem all the more remarkable when you consider that the tax-paying population of the entire Union of South Africa is less than the population of Chicago. In Cape Town, those who are arriving in South Africa by sea often bring their own cars from America. Though cars can be rented in Cape Town, many like the peculiar novelty of sightseeing in Africa behind the wheel of the same car they drive to the office in Peoria or Birmingham or Denver. At any rate, a car gives the visitor access to any area of this far-flung nation and allows him to command his own schedule. No time is lost in bringing the cars to the dock, ready for immediate use. The drive from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth is along one of the world's most scenic routes. It is the famous Garden Route, 480 miles along the rim of the African continent. Making any time on this road is a problem, as it is a succession of pleasant diversions. Surf fishing is especially popular. The South Africans themselves have a natural love for sunshine and open-air activity. So, this area has the advantage of many facilities for visitors. Yes, it's a far cry from the tree houses and tents of the Africa we have seen in the movies. This is more like Miami or Atlantic City. [Music] As if to prove the comparison, the beaches spread a long sandy welcome mat to the visitor looking for relaxation in the warm rollers of the Indian Ocean. [Music] The resort atmosphere along the southern coast of South Africa is uninterrupted for another 200 miles. In East London, it is seen at its best. [Music] This is Oxford Street, a study of contrasts. From ultramodern hotels, you overlook the Indian Ocean and the colorful international shipping that visits East London. [Music] Besides the usual seaside attractions, East London is noted for its unique aquarium, which displays the marine life of that hemisphere. And who wouldn't recognize the penguins? Somehow, these familiar polar creatures always manage to look as though they had just become lost on the way home from the Stark Club. [Music] From East London, you drive through the Transkei, where the red blanket natives live, eventually to return to the coastline and the colorful city of Durban. You continue on the smooth four-lane national road, though you are riding closer to the most primitive areas of South Africa. These rickshaw boys have become a virtual trademark of the city, which enjoys a year-round holiday season. [Music] North of Durban is Zululand and the Sheshego Game Reserve, the homelands of the native tribes and wild game which once predominated in this land. This is Zululand where not long ago war drums echoed through the valleys and men armed only with spears and clubs met in savage battles. Today, the sons and grandsons of these warriors are at peace with each other and with the world. In the heart of Zululand, which you can easily reach by car, you are now welcome to native villages where exquisite examples of native art are offered for your inspection. Their customs originated somewhere beyond the veil of time become a fascinating and enthralling experience for the observer. [Music] Nearby in this wilderness district is the Sheshego Game Reserve. Native rangers are available to escort you through this spectacular area which has natural wonders to put even Yellowstone to shame. The water buffalo, rated among Africa's most ruthless and unpredictable creatures. Though you are permitted to walk if you keep the ranger with you, it is often more prudent to observe game like these water buffalo from the safety of the car. It is impossible to imagine the thrill experienced when you encounter these spectacular animals in their own element. Zebra are commonplace in the reserve. The chances to record these sights on film are too good to miss. [Music] But even in the car, it's a good idea not to become so absorbed in focusing and getting the right exposure that you overlook the reactions of your subject. [Music] At times like this, you must be really dedicated to your hobby to stand your ground. But he was only bluffing, lucky for you. Nearing the end of your tour, the floodgates of memory open wide. The panorama of South Africa riots through your mind. Gaudy, breathtaking splendor, exotic customs, rich traditions, and flashes of primitive life. The wonder of modern cities grown from wilderness in the span of a single life. The charm of the experience is unforgettable. Whatever your impressions of South Africa, however, they reflect a country that is unique in its amazing and colorful contrasts. [Music]