Dean McCleland, Author at The Casual Observer

Freeing One’s Mind from the Past

By Dean McCleland in Other Opinion Pieces 23 March 2017 0 Comment

In most cases, the culprit for not allowing mankind to open their mind to possibilities is the past. More specifically it is the way that things are currently done which is the ultimate hindrance.

Whilst one might actually embrace new technology, one often employs that technology in the same manner in which the older technology was utilised. By implication, utilising new technology also means embracing not only the new way of doing things and but also casting aside how things were done before or unlearning the past.

That is why youngsters are so adept with new gadgets. They are not constrained by the past and how things “should be done.”

Main picture: Creative positioning mirror

The Miracle at Sandhof

By Dean McCleland in Other Miscellaneous Topics 23 March 2017 0 Comment

A pan on the farm Sandhof in Namibia is transformed every four of five years when it is filled with 15 centimetres of water.

Main picture: The lilies of Sandhof pan

Thought Provoking Historical Photographs

By Dean McCleland in Historical 22 March 2017 2 Comments

History is comprised of a myriad of moments lost in the mists of time. These photographs bring back to life a mere handful of those moments in time. Each, in its own way, casts a sharp light on the life and times of a bygone era.

Become entranced in how the world behaved, loved and lived in the past.

Main picture: Carrying a Rolls Royce across a river in Nepal in 1950

Zille: One Tweet too Many

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 22 March 2017 1 Comment

In my mind, there are two notorious tweeters: Donald Trump & Helen Zille. Both use it to vent their frustrations. In neither case has its output been beneficial to the sender. In Helen’s case, it could result in some drastic action shortly.

What is the prognosis?

Main picture: Helen Zille autobiography as portrayed on social media

Zimbabwe: Destruction of its Timber Plantations

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 22 March 2017 0 Comment

This is a timely reminder of one of the consequences of the ill-considered land invasion policy of the ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe. It was recently revealed by the Finance Minister of Zimbabwe.

Will the likes of Julius Malema and the EFF take cognaissance of this open admission of this policy’s devastating consequences?

Main picture: Timber plantations in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe Continue reading

Port Elizabeth of Yore: Fischer’s Jewellers

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 20 March 2017 4 Comments

Not only does Fischer’s Jewellers embody the essence of Port Elizabeth but also for many of its citizens, especially in prior generations, Fischer’s was their preferred choice for jewellery. Also, the building is one of the remaining structure built in the Art Nouveau style.

Apart from this obvious connection, my grandmother had another, more obtuse connection, to this iconic store.

Main picture: One of the very earliest photos of the newly opened Fischer & Co building in Main Street circa 1914

Port Elizabeth of Yore: Redhouse – A Gem of a Village

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 20 March 2017 5 Comments

This quaint hamlet on the banks of the Swartkops River is well-known for yachting. This is the rather modest history of this village.

Main picture: The original red house on the Zwartkops River

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Malays Create a Niche

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 17 March 2017 5 Comments

One misconception about the Malays in South Africa concerns their ethnic nomenclature “Malay.” In fact they originate from Batavia, today called Indonesia, and not from Malaysia. Instead the word Malay was derived from the language that they spoke. The Malay language is spoken in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore where it holds official or national status. It is also spoken by communities in other countries, such as the Philippines, Southern Thailand, and East Timor.. Another erroneous notion is that Malay population only arrived after the British settlers.

This chapter rebuts these fallacies. It also reveals the important role the Malays played in the development of Port Elizabeth.

Main picture: The Green or Pier Street Mosque

Port Elizabeth of Yore: Its Inhabitants in 1822

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 16 March 2017 4 Comments

Port Elizabeth is fortunate in having somebody who prepared a list of its inhabitants at the inception of the town itself. Without a functioning civil authority, nothing is recorded, let alone a population register.

This blog lists Port Elizabeth’s inhabitants in 1822 together with a biographical sketch of some of them.

Main picture: Port Elizabeth in 1823

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Magnificent Gothic Hill Presbyterian Church

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 14 March 2017 0 Comment

Initially the Presbyterians in Port Elizabeth could not afford their own church so they supported the “New Church,” an Independent Church, from 1853. This church was located at the corner of Main and Donkin Streets. Finally, in 1861 they were able to support their own church.

Accordingly, they built a magnificent Gothic Revival style church in a prominent position on the hill which is visible from Algoa Bay.

Main picture: View of the Hill Presbyterian Church from Donkin Reserve

The Opinion Pieces are an eclectic bunch on current affairs & history often with a human interest aspect. The Movie/DVDs reviews are mainly on documentaries with a smattering of movie reviews.

Author: Dean McCleland