CLIFF RICHARD
In 1976 I was auditing the ledger department, in the Smith Street East branch of Barclays Bank. Suddenly all the clattering machines ground to a halt as all the girls jumped up and ran out screaming. I couldn’t see smoke or flames anywhere, so I was mystified about why they had exited so precipitately. I walked out of the ledger department and saw the whole mob of girls surrounding a short little fellow in a shirt like a Union Jack, at one of the tellers. I asked who it was and was told that it was CLIFF RICHARD! He was touring with some gospel organization and had popped in to cash some travellers’ cheques. He very good naturedly signed all the autograph requests on bits of bank stationery. The little Indian girl who was serving him very nearly fainted when she finally realized who it was. I was just startled by how short the guy really is but he was certainly very decent to his fans.
LAURIKA RAUCH
Laurika Rauch came into Middelburg Cape branch while I was there. I think her in laws are farmers from Middelburg which would explain why she was there. The branch girls all rushed out to greet her and blow me down if she didn’t have a whole lot of music cassettes in her capacious handbag which she autographed and SOLD to the girls. Bit of a cheek but the girls were all happy, so who was I to complain.
SHAUN BARTLETT
People who know me generally know I have hardly any interest in sport so this blooper shouldn’t come as a surprise. I was busy auditing at Maitland Branch in the Cape when the manager, “Jumpy” Wilmot (Jumpy because he originally came from Springfontein!) introduced a fit-looking fellow in a tracksuit, as Shaun Bartlett. I had a very hazy idea that this chap was a soccer player but that’s all. To make polite conversation, I asked which team he was playing for. Luckily Jumpie jumped in and said he was playing for Bafana Bafana to save me further embarrassment. I mumbled that I was a rugby fan and knew precious little about soccer. (Also tripe – I know only marginally more about rugby!) I can just imagine what Shaun must have thought of this dumbo and if he ever reads this, gee friend, I’m sorry. I sure do know now who you are and what you’ve achieved in soccer. Next time I’ll get your autograph.
CLIVE SCOTT
If you watched TV back in the dawn of the age of TV in SA, you’ll recall the soapie, The Villagers and more especially, Ted Dixon, a slightly dim but hilarious character, played brilliantly by Clive Scott. It was hard to believe Clive was nothing like his character with the vacant look. I didn’t meet him but nodded a greeting at him as he was standing in a queue in Welkom Branch. It was amazing to see him without that “Ted look”.
BILL BENDYSHE BURNETT
People who know me might me a little surprised to find this man on my list. He retired as the Primate of the Anglican Church in South Africa and when I was a youngster, he was Bishop of Bloemfontein and confirmed me in the church at Ladybrand. I also served for him on occasion. He was pointed out to me at the enquiries counter in Southernwood branch and I walked over and introduced myself, saying that he had confirmed me many years before. He seemed a bit put out when he asked if I was still active in the church and I confessed that I had come to some different conclusions and was no longer an Anglican.
ERIC MERRIFIELD
I hear you thinking, “Who on earth is he?”. Well, if you’ve lived by the sea in places like East London and Port Elizabeth, you will have seen lots of what he invented: The Dolos. You will have seen them on the seaward side of the East London breakwater, the big odd shaped blocks designed to break up pounding waves and lessen their erosive power. Mr. Merrifield banked with us at Southernwood and I wanted to go and shake his hand but he left before I could. I thought it remarkable that he never patented the invention which is now used worldwide to combat coastal erosion.
NOTE: I have now read that one Aubrey Kruger also can claim to have invented the Dolos as he and Merrifield worked on the erosion problem together. Whoever did, I was impressed by the invention.
STEVE HOFMEYR
Let me hasten to say that I’m not a fan but I stayed in a hotel in Queenstown, into which he had also booked. He had a room two doors down from mine in a hotel which no longer seems to exist and there seemed to be a constant stream of people coming and going from his room. I also saw him in the dining room with his entourage and what looked like female fans. He was much younger then obviously and his concerts seemed popular.
GE KORSTEN
Back in my relief staff days in the Eastern Cape, I stayed at the Midgley’s Hotel in Adelaide, while relieving at the branch. I was in my room one evening, just before supper when someone in the room next to mine started playing a Ge Korsten recording very loudly. Every man to his own taste and I didn’t want to spoil the person’s enjoyment, so I didn’t complain but all of a sudden, someone even louder than the recording, started singing along with it. With supper imminent I thought I’d rather wait in the pub while my neighbor enjoyed himself. As I walked past, I recall thinking that he was doing a pretty good impression of Korsten. After supper I walked past the function room in which a whole crowd of well dressed people were milling around. I asked a waiter what was going on and he revealed that the town was giving GE KORSTEN a reception before his concert later that evening! Am I the only person in the country who did NOT appreciate the preview I had had?
DON LEONARD
I have mentioned Don Leonard before. He was an actor who was shooting a movie “’n Beeld vir Jeannie” in Bethlehem, while I was auditing there with John Bell. We befriended Don who was staying at the same hotel as we were. He was thoroughly down to earth and friendly and he and John clicked because he was fond of playing the horses. HANS STRYDOM star of the film also stayed there but we only saw him at meals occasionally. I’d like to see the movie, if only to see myself in the background of one of the scenes they shot in Bethlehem.
MEL GREEN
I can almost hear you thinking, “Mel WHO?” Back in the late sixties when the Folk Movement was strong in South Africa, a group called Mel, Mel and Julian was performing. Julian was Julian Laxton, ace South African guitarist, involved in numerous recordings and most famously, in Freedom’s Children, the best progressive rock group ever in South Africa. The other Mel was Mel Miller, more famous as a comedian than a musician but a decent muso nevertheless. They started out as Mel & Mel and added Julian later and for a brief spell, did very well, winning a Springbok Radio, Battle of the Bands competition.
Mel Green eventually went to America to seek his fame and fortune and while he never became a massive name, he played in local bands. He has released an album of his own songs, on which he sings and plays guitar, sounding pretty much like he did all those years ago.
I actually had quite a bit of correspondence with him once because I had copies of albums which he was seeking, on which he had played in SA and I was able to send him decent copies of his own music. We chatted like old friends, especially when I revealed that I had probably seen him at the Troubadour in Johburg. I wish I had not let the correspondence lapse.
I saw on a website recently that they had plans to reform the band but could not find a venue. Gosh, they must all be well into their seventies now.
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