TUCKED away in the township of Umasizakhe is a fascinating public artwork project that most tourists to Graaff-Reinet never hear about.
The historic Royal Block consists of single story houses in Queen Street, built of brick and cement with flat corrugated-iron roofs in the early 20th century.
The area was restored and transformed two years ago as an offshoot of the Giant Flag project, when the houses, many of which were fairly dilapidated, were plastered and painted, before the main artwork was added.
The artist, Kim Lieberman, worked with a team of local enthusiasts and captured silhouettes of people who live in the area. These were painted onto the outside walls of the houses in vibrant colours, creating an engaging display where residents took great delight in finding their images.
The project was completed in May 2017, and although a few of the images have now weathered a little and some colours have started to fade, the vibrancy and life seen on the walls, against the backdrop of Spandaukop and the iconic Dutch Reformed Church in the town, are well worth a visit.
The history of Royal Block is also fascinating, and as often happens, there are different stories behind the name. Author, Mzuvukile Maqetuka, who recently published a book of photographs of Graaff-Reinet, suggests that the single-roomed semi-detached houses “were built as barracks for soldiers of the British Crown during one of the wars.”
The most common belief, however, is that the houses were built for some of the labourers involved in the construction of the Van Ryneveldt’s Pass Dam (now Nqweba Dam). As this accommodation was superior to that provided for most of the workers, it was referred to as the Royal Block. Either way, the name has stuck, and the residents of the street are justifiably proud of its heritage, and now its transformation.
Thobeka Booysen is the community liaison officer of the Giant Flag project, and lives at 832 Royal Block.
“My grandmother, Thethiwe Booysen, bought this house, which then was just a single room, for herself and her five children,” she explained, showing a room about 3m², which is now Thobeka’s mother, Francis’s bedroom.
After a few years, her grandmother was able to buy the adjoining house, and gradually the family has extended the building behind the house, adding a kitchen and outbuildings in the yard. The ceiling of the original house has been recently tiled by Thobeka’s uncle, and resembles the antique pressed iron ceilings seen in many Victorian buildings in the town.
Anyone who would like a personal tour of Royal Block can contact Thobeka Booysen on 071 142 7712.
