The untold story behind Marina Da Gama’s full development which could’ve changed the False Bay coastline, will be uncovered during an illustrated historical presentation at the Rhodes Cottage Museum in Muizenberg on Sunday, 1 November.

The talk will be presented by local author Patrick McKenna, co-author of the book 50 Years On: The Marina da Gama Story.

Reclaiming sandscape

A team from the Anglo-American property division started the transformation of reclaiming virtually uninhabitable sandscape into Africa’s first marina community, almost fifty years ago, according to Muizenberg Heritage member Sue Stewart.

“To do that required solving three great engineering challenges: taming the wind, managing the water, and building the canal banks. The first phase of the project was achieved through “fanatical planning”, and a team that included two off-duty Los Angeles firefighters, an ecologist and landscape architects. What was built is remarkable – but only constitutes 65% of the original project scope. Why did Anglo American, and Cape Town, step away from something that might have significantly reshaped the coastline of False Bay?” she asked.

Vintage images

McKenna’s co-author, Gerald Rosenthal, who was a member of the original project team, remains the most respected authority on Marina da Gama’s rich history according to Stewart.

The talk will be illustrated with rare vintage images, advertising materials and construction plans drawn from the Marina’s extensive archive.

Tickets are available on Quicket by visiting https://www.quicket.co.za/…/404062-the-marina-da-gama…/

For more information email Sue Stewart at info@muizenbergheritage.com.

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