South Africa:Port Elizabeth Centenary

Travelling through South Africa with its remarkable variety of landscapes, one can't help noticing the unusual rock formations along the way, some of which are part of sites of unique geological importance. In recognition of this rugged and extraordinary beauty, the South African Post Office issued a set of 10 stamps and two commemorative covers on 8 August 2013.

Issue Description
South Africa's sites of unique geological importance are as diverse as the Drakensberg Mountain range and the platinum ores of the Bushveld Complex. The formation of the various rocks can largely be ascribed to three processes.

Sedimentary Rock is formed from material that has over many years, sometimes millions of years, been laid down by wind and water erosion. The rivers carry the soil to the ocean where it is deposited. Over millions of years the sediment compacts, and due to heat and other factors, form into rock. Sandstone, Limestone and Shale are examples of Sedimentary Rock.

Igneous Rock is formed from lava or volcanic activity. The molten rock cools at different rates, causing a variety of rock types to form. Sometimes the rock cools extremely slowly and thus remains underground. Diamonds may form under such conditions. Granite, Basalt and Andesite are examples of Igneous Rock Formations.

Metamorphic Rock forms when the rock that has already formed due to either lava activity or sedimentation is reformed under extreme heat and pressure. A good example of this in South Africa is the folded mountains of the Cape where the sandstone formations were turned on their side by pressure and heat, thus forming Quartzite. Gneiss, Quartzite and Schist are examples of Metamorphic Rock Formations.

Issue Details
The stamps feature photographs by acclaimed landscape photographer, Koos van der Lende.

Stamps
View of Algoa Bay from Lady Donkin's Pyramid (Registered Letter Small)

This colour lithograph by George Dinsdale depicts a view of Algoa Bay from Lady Donkin's Pyramid in Donkin's Reserve. It is probably one of four prints published by C Hullmandel Publishers purchased for the city's public library in 1926 from Cape Town. The final prints, including the one featured on the stamp, have many inaccuracies because they were copied from Sir Donkin's sketches and then printed without Dinsdale ever seeing Port Elizabeth.

The Pyramid was erected by Donkin in memory of his late wife, Elizabeth. It has two inscriptions on either side of the pyramid: "To the Memory of one of the most perfect of human beings who has given her name to the town below".

The Donkin (Registered Letter Small)

The figure of Nelson Mandela is the focal point of the Voting Line sculpture at the Donkin Reserve. It is actually the logo for the Nelson Mandela Foundation's Madiba Trust, who gave permission to the Voting Line artist, Anthony Harris and assistant artist Konrad Geel, to incorporate it into their work. The metal figures represent all the communities who make up the Rainbow Nation and who voted in South Africa's first fully democratic elections on 27 April 1994.

Port Elizabeth (Registered Letter Small)

Featuring a painting by Ethel Sawyer, this stamp depicts the famous tug "Sir Frederick" in Port Elizabeth harbour. Ethel was married to the Harbour Master, who arranged for the "Sir Frederick" to be posed in the dock specifically for this painting. A detailed view of the city from South End to the Donkin Reserve is seen in the background. The "Sir Frederick" had a 35-year career and was involved in notable incidents such as the mystery of the Phantom Ship and the disappearance of the Waratah. Her career ended when she was scuttled near Thunderbolt Rock in Algoa Bay.

Coega Harbour (Registered Letter Small)

The 11000 ha ''Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ)', situated within the Nelson Mandela Metro, is the largest in South Africa. It is strategically positioned next to Ngqura, the new dedicated deep-water port with purpose-built container, bulk and break-bulk terminals. The Coega Development Corporation develops and operates the IDZ and is responsible for the land-side infrastructure, while the Transnet National Ports Authority is responsible for the Port of Ngqura.

Birth of Site and Service (Registered Letter Small)

This water-colour painting by George Pemba called Birth of Site and Service, depicts one of Port Elizabeth's first black townships called Site and Service established in 1930. Pemba, who was born in 1912 in Hill's Kraal, Port Elizabeth, was known as the people's painter. His work reflects the richness and diversity of South African life, capturing the essence of the country's people in paintings of rural and township life.

In April 2012, the South African Post Office issued a set of ten stamps featuring Pemba's best-known works.

Red Location Museum (Registered Letter Small)

Red Location, one of the oldest black townships of Port Elizabeth, derives its name from a series of corrugated iron barrack buildings, which are rusted a deep red colour. The stamp features a photograph of the Red Location Museum, one of two anti-apartheid museums in South Africa, built as a tribute to the liberation struggle. It also draws together the strands of the struggle that commemorate the efforts by different groups to free themselves.

Old Doll House Railway Station (Registered Letter Small)

This image of the old railway station in Uitenhage, fondly known by locals as the "Doll's House", appeared on a postcard dating back about a century ago and published by Hallis & Co, Port Elizabeth. The building remained in use until 1951 when it was vacated for the new station in Bubbs Avenue. It is now the Railway Museum which houses exhibits reflecting the town's rail transport history including vintage steam engines and period furniture. The building was restored to its former glory in the 1970s and was proclaimed a national monument in August 1976.

Old Court House (Registered Letter Small)

Uitenhage, also known as the Garden Town, was founded in 1804 and was originally the headquarters of the Eastern Cape. Victorian and Settler architecture add to the town's unique character. A number of beautiful historical buildings have remained in excellent condition, including among others the old Court House, a prime example of Victorian architecture built between [1813 and 1815.

Queen Street and North End (Registered Letter Small)

The stamp features an early photograph of the industrial area of North End, developed as a mixed land-use suburb immediately north of the Port Elizabeth city centre. It seems probable that the settlement was initially centred around a trading store located opposite the North End jail and run by Anne Rich from 1861. Today, North End is home to the impressive Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium overlooking the North End Lake.

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Registered Letter Small)

The stamp features a photo-graph of the multi-tier, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium situated on the shores of the North End Lake. One of three coastal stadiums built in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA&trade; World Cup, the stadium regularly hosts major rugby and soccer matches and is also used as a concert venue. Its striking roof-structure made up of a series of white petals, gives it the appearance of a flower and led to its nickname, "The Sunflower".

First Day Cover
The two First Day Cover depict a Ceremonial Beer Container (ukhamba) and a Dancing Mace of the Ndeble respectively, both from the McGregor Museum in Kimberley. The mace is a ritual symbol of a mother's power. Innovative Ndebele women artists have adapted this traditional symbol into a symbol of mid-20th century rural communication - the telephone pole (e’telefon).

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