Saiccor - The First 50 Years 5.8 MB - Sappi

The Cantacuzene Period (1952–1965)
A cartoon by Robin in the Natal Mercury of 16 January 1952 entitled
‘Dopo-Domani at Umkomaas’ summed up some of the feelings at
the time� Three years later, in 1955, the situation was neatly summed
up by the Natal Mercury (13 September):
250 IMPORTED ARTISANS HAVE BROUGHT NEW LIFE TO RESORT�
When quiet, sedate Umkomaas,
with its elderly retired couples,
international golf course and
select holiday trade, heard that
its population was to be
increased by nearly one-third
overnight with the arrival of 250
Italian artisans, the village was
frankly concerned about its
future�
A few residents, fearing a local
industrial revolution, with
possible racial overtones, sold
up and left�
Some 70 of the Italians were accommodated in the New South Barrow
Hotel, and most of the others filled up the other hotels in Umkomaas
– Robin Hood, Goodrest, Fairway, Ocean Park and Golf Course – while
24 went into three self-catering houses, soon to be known as Spirit
house, Devil house and King’s house�
As the Italians tended to be ostracised by the people of Umkomaas,
they became a close-knit family unit, socialising largely among
themselves� The most popular leisure activity was naturally soccer,
which they played with a passion, practising where No 2 continua
now stands� Parties with song and dance were frequent and regular,
while a train ride to Durban for shopping and ‘bioscope’ was also
popular� In their new and strange environment the young Italians
managed to create a lot of fun�
Mass at the Town Hall in Umkomaas, c� 1955
17
But today Umkomaas is finding
that the influx of new blood
and the coming of industry
have brought new life and
prosperity�