S1 - Ep 372 - Pietermaritzburg - The Town Hall has a Breathtaking Design! 

I was born and still live in PMB. Umgungundlovu, meaning the place of the Elephant. 5 generations of my family are from PMB. I know the place like the back of my hand. It was nice to see it from a visitors point of view. You passed a few places of interest in your video. The old St Annes Hospital which is abandoned. just passed that wall in Loop Street. The old Cricket Oval In Alexandra Park The best view of PMB in Villier's Drive. Duzi Bridge Comrades Wall a walk down Church Street The Grave yards on Commercial Road and what was the Royal Natal Carbineers just off Commercial Road Thank you for making me remember the good in PMB

I miss Maritzburg a lot. Left in 2002 and never been back. But frequently look for information on how it is doing. Thanks for visiting and sharing!

This is my home town!!!, It's so cool to experience it through a visitors eyes. I've been watching the channel for a while and I never thought you will come to this side of the world

I live in PMB and I really enjoyed your video. Seeing a visitor so impressed with our city is refreshing and encouraging. Thank you!

Lived in Maritzburg in 1979 right next to the airport and was woken every morning at 6a.m by the Jet taking off. Also watched the sky divers land almost in our garden. Only good memories, wish we were still there.

I remember going on a long field trip with my school in about 1975 to Wagondrift dam, we stopped in Pietermaritzburg on the way back, and went into a museum there. I'll never forget the impression it made on me. I also remember a song that played on the radio in the 70s, about Pietermaritzburg, but for the life of me,i cant find it now. Love all the brick structures there, especially that train station!

Wow born and bred maritzburger girl. Flying from ozz on Thursday to go home visiting. A refresher course on finding my way home! 😂Memories galore.

I lived in Pietermaritzburg for 45 years. So glad that you got to visit and enjoy the city.. It looks even better in the Spring. Great work guys. You are awesome

Your enthusiasm is so great!!!!!!

Beautiful city, with beautiful architecure of the old days, Midmar Dam with the historical museum, Howick falls and more.

My town😊. Been watching far away towns on your youtube channel. Never thought I'll see my town on your channel, let alone kzn. Yes N3 is a worse road. Constantly under construction. Enjoy my town. I hope it's clean 🙈. Subscriber🎉

I enjoy all your videos, from small Karoo towns to the centre of Durban, but this one was particularly nice. My wife went to Siembaba, then Gert Maritz and finally Voortrekker and we still go to Pmb quite often to visit family

PM also called the azalea city. It use to have the prestigious boys high school "Greys". I used to travel there to buy shoes from Eddels Shoes for Edgars 30 years ago and we stayed at the beautiful Hillcrest Hotel.

Hi guys very historical city loved the old architecture especially the town hall also a southern hemisphere world record holder. Great to see the swimming pool still functioning. The Royal agricultural society show grounds stunning and the biggest in SA. How fantastic to be in the school grounds just as they were having a competition definitely some Bokke in the making and of course the tuck shop .Sonias described the huge tree perfectly Lord of rings! The old station I think is the best I've seen absolutely stunning the glass atrium amazing plus statue of Ghandi .loved the racecourse massive stand and the posh seats great to see MOTHS Hall with the second World War tank and field cannon slowly dieing out in the UK. The Preparatory school and church amazing. The drive up the hill had a English vibe until the sunset and pàlms accommodation as usual top notch loved the views from the deck. We'll done changing the wheel ( I suggest a electric one that fits in car socket) loved the tyre place friendly guy plus tyre repair efficient! . The old prison was sobering especially the solitary cell also to gentlemen who changed history where there amazing loved the history about the name eye opening and interesting video thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one

The hall in the City Hall (there are a lot of offices etc surrounding it) also boasts one of the largest pipe organs in the Southern Hemisphere and, whether by design or accident, also has near perfect accoustics. Musicians, be they classical, jazz or whatever, love performing there. Needless to say, I have enjoyed many performances there including the Dutch Swing College Band which was A-May-Zing!!

Wow..those old buildings are magnificent, it is just great that they are still standing. And that beautiful functioning railway station! Somewhere somebody is doing something right. Thank you for showing us PMB.

The house of your B&B was my aunt's home until I was 6 years - my second home. Thank you for showing so many memories. It is a pity that you didn't show the exquisite buildings of Town Hill Hospital.

Love watching your programmes from Plymouth here in the UK, brings me such wonderful memories of growing up in RSA, from driving down the N3 to Durbs on our once-a-year holiday to peaceful little towns in the Karoo, a welcome relief from all the negative news going on around the world. Thank you, keep them coming. 🤗

Thanks so much for showing the city where I grew up ❤️💙 NP ...nice place, nice people. We had homes in Frances Staniland and Montgomery Road...the best time! We had to leave 24 years ago in search of work, but PMB is in my heart always. Art in the Park, CG Joliffe swimming pool, The Railway station, Nestle factory, The Oval...Sunday cricket and lovely lunches, and attending their market afterwards. Queen Elizabeth Park. I worked in NBS building 😁and my father at Connex travel, in the building next door. Not to forget Woody Woodburn rugby stadium and the now distant Golden Egg restaurant. 🧡

Traffic horrific, buildings beautiful & LOVED the rugby. Curtis i was right next to you shouting as well , reminded me of shouting @ my sons matches in days gone bythank, 🏈🏈🚗🚗🚗 you once again

I lived in PMB for a few years many years ago. It used to be a beautiful city. So much of it is now a slum.

I am super impressed with the little Quid - I think Renault SA needs to sponsor you guys a new one - and of course pay your accommodation Well don to you both for dedicating your time and efforts to bring us these wonderful video. May you continue to be blessed

I really love the commentary on your videos. Makes it all more interesting and enjoyable. Always hooked

Great video! We can't believe that you were here in PMB!

Thank you guys ,I was glued to this video, spent my best years in PMB, now an expat in the UK, your lovely SA accents added to the beauty of this thorough exploration of my fave city. xx

I'm glad you guys really enjoyed yourselves in the CAPITAL CITY of KZN ❤❤❤

Thats my hometown. Our potholes and roads are the worst as is our Msunduzi Municipality 😢 Btw the Lighthouse Chapel is the chapel where Jonty Rhodes was married 1st time around. Thanks for being so positive about our City.

Wat een geweldig trein station, je zou toch direct een plaatsreservering willen maken voor de eerstvolgende trein 🚂! Prachtig dat het houten interieur van vervlogen tijden bewaard is gebleven. Hetzelfde geldt voor de Britse city council, van een grandeur zoals alleen zij dat kunnen en gelukkig dat het in al zijn glorie van rode stenen nog fier overeind staat. Bovenal fijn dat de lekke band niet tot al te veel overlast zorgde en vooral grappige beelden opleverde en Curtis en de garage medewerker aan het werk 😅. En die toetjes …. die zagen er alle 3 heerlijk uit! Na een grandioze Frans Algerijnse maaltijd zoek ik nu mijn bed op. Morgen nog 1 dag Reims, waaronder het museum bezoeken waar de overgave van de Duitsers plaatsvond in 1945. Daarna weer de drukke snelwegen berijden terug naar 🇳🇱.

Hi you two! Thank you for taking me on this sundown trip around PM! It is such a well equiped city. From a swimming "bath"to a prison with a "reception" area! The buildings really are impressive. It has such rich history, even only being there brings it back. Your overnight was quite fcosy with its garden and view. AND the cuppas! Time for me to get off this tablet, hoping we will have shed our load by tomorrow. I'm ready for the next trip already. Keep safe!

The Royal Show had its last stand there this year. They are moving out of town.🙃

I grew up in the red brick house diagonally opposite the prison. 11 Burger Street. You guys drove past it. Such nostalgia to see it again.

Thanks so much for going to PMB it hasn’t changed much since the early 1980’s when I was last there apart from the decay… it’s locked in time… I played a lot of sport in that town.. former Natal Schools and Junior Springboks… it might interest you to know martizberg used to be called sleep hollow as it sits in the bottom of the valley below Hilton. I remember as a young boy going from that station on the overnight train to Jo burg to attend the 1979 Kyalami Formula One Grand Prix.

Over the years I also found it a problem to drive in and around Durban - the trucks the roads and attitused was sometimes not so good.The old buildings are stunning and so many of them. The City building reminds me of the one in Durban. Beautiful around the show grounds. Interesting how they bundled the scools together but it make sense. So sad the beautiful old building who appeares to have burnt down. Wow the old station is a stunning buildng with such beautiful achitexure. Scottsville is huge but so nice to see inside. The old prison is stunning and such a rich history buried there. I love Piertermaritzburg it is a beautiful place full of history. Thanks for this trip it was very nice and relaxing. My seat is booked for the next one.

Thanks for another great video. The Old Jail looks really interesting, it's added to my must see list, which is getting longer by the day. Stay well and drive safely. Cheers from the UK.

Time to go to Giants Castle!❤ Where I’m from..🙂 Alexandra Swimming Bath was where we used to have inter-school galas!.

I travelled from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in 2003,, sm valley of 1000hills,, I found it so good

My hometown where I grew up in. We always called it sleepy hollow. A very quiet capital city back then.

My home town and was born there at Grey's Hospital and grew up in Pinetown.

some of my Greytown cousins referred to Pietermaritzburg as Maritzburra - that was more than 50 years ago - and now after all this time i hear it again -

The N3 is the main route from the busiest harbour in Africa to the interior of RSA, hence the volume of traffic. And we all know the majority of truck drivers don't abide by road rules. Kind of like taxi drivers.

Hi Sonia and Curtis, Thank you for showcasing this special city, indeed a important place from my family history point of view. My ancestors arrived from Germany, went to Cape Town for a while to join his wife’s family for a short while, she was a member of the von Landsberg family. Then the family went to Durban in the Mazeppa in the 1830’s where the main immigrant settled in Pietermaritzburg in 1939. He was a “ziegeleibezitter”, meaning the owner of a brick yard together with his one son. They were granted a large piece of land in the then newly laid out town where the two established the large brick factory, as far as I know this is still in existance at the foot of Town Hill. (Would be great if someone can confirm, not sure what the factory is called.) He and his eldest son supplied almost all of the brick and tiles used to build most of these old buildings that you have so kindly shown us. Carl August was an architect and both were builders and between them designed and built many of these historical buildings. The elder, Friedrich Heinrich was burried in the old cemetry in the centre of Pietermaritzburg, unsure if this cemetery is still in existence. (Again, could someone confirm). He had five sons, two went to Rustenburg, one to Heidelberg and one settled in Rhodesia. If you ever plan to visit Rustenburg, I will be able to supply a lot of history of that city. I have also endured a lot of pleasure and pain when running the Comdades. Cold starts for the down-run and much pain towards the end during the up-run, especially after Polly Shorts to the finish line. Brutal! Thanks again and safe travelling. Kind regards Frans

Great video as always! Thanks for showing me parts of my beautiful province I didn't know.

I read somewhere the reason, from Durban, to Pinetown, to Camper Down, to Pietermaritzburg, to Howick, to Boston, to Bulwer ending in Underberg , Why these towns are relatively close to each other is because they are 1 days Trek in an Ox wagon from each other how true this is I dont know, maybe someone can confirm if this is correct

I love your excitement. Thank you for digging deep for little details such as the name origins and buildings. Really interesting.

Another town I have only been through. Wow! That city hall building...words fail me! They dont build like that any more. Wonder what it looks like inside, probably all modernized. Pity the traffic is so heavy. I love the streets lined by old trees. So glad you found the station. But what a magnificent building it is. Looks like it is still running? Now Ghandi is about the last person I would expect to encounter there. I feel like a train will come thundering through any moment.I must say, you guys have been very lucky with tyres considering some of the roads you have taken. I share Sonia's opinion on horse racing. Nuff said! Enjoyed the visit to the Moth hall. Glorious sunset! Other beverages....ahem...toe, gun hom n biertjie na al die verkeer en stres! Ah, nothing starts the day like changing a flattie. Ungundgundlovu was Dingaan's home wasnt it? Where Piet Retief and his guys got killed. The prison was fascinating, but chilling at the same time.

After 60 yrs I still recognize much of the better, older buildings. Who takes credit for them.?

I enjoy watching your Channel..you were in pietermaritzburg 2 days ago and my town is in the midlands called Richmond about 30km before pmb...would like e if you done a video for our town

This should be the Cape because we love Robby here

Thank you for the great video. I grew up in PMB from 1961 to 1976 when I relocated to Zululand. You really need a week or two to see more great buildings you did not visit. Comrades House, the Botanical Gardens, Eddles Shoe Factory, (my grandfather worked there most of his life as the factory manager), Allison's Saddlery building, Fort Napier, and Alexandra Police Station would have blown you away. The Imperial Hotel, and so many more. The excellent PMB schools are Maritzburg College, St. Charles, PMB Girls High School, St. Johns, and Maritzburg Collegiate. Unfortunately, the Royal Show is moving to a new location. There are so many more beautiful buildings to visit but I know your time is limited. Thank you for taking me back in time.

It is good to see you noticed Gandhi's statue!❤😊

I always enjoy your videos. Sadly you missed Maritzburg College, and particularly Clark House (incidentally one of the best schools in SA). Also the Oval and cricket grounds very close by. Of course Maritzburg is famous for it's Jacaranda Trees, particularly when in flower.

Hi guys Love KZN my family live just down the road in Hilton. KZN reminds me off a rain forest in places . One thing I’ve noticed is the churches are not so good looking than other parts off SA. Safe driving guys be safe.

That prep school went into is called "Cord Wallis" (all together, of course). It struck me as one of the friendlier of such schools (nicer, I'd call it). Some of them are not automatically a good foundation for anyone good old Mother Nature hasn't given a good foundation already, but the Cordwalles kids struck me as people who might live non-destructive lives after their training. It's a pity you missed the psychiatric hospital next to Greys (although I suppose you need to be visiting someone to be let in there). It's a really beautiful old Victorian building, far enough back from the roads to be a bit more peaceful than the traffic makes a city like Maritzburg - the kind of place someone who's unravelling can have some hope of being restored in, given the right treatment, and the right turn of the cards. The friend I visited there loved the place - just the building, not the being in a state where you need professional help to survive. Let me leave the memories stuck at that point, then.

I went to school at Voortrekker. Primary and High school.

Curtis...You not the only one who battles on that N3. It's a horrible road and my nerves shot driving there too. Must be something in the water there cause drivers are reckless in KZN. I always tried to take the back roads myself. As you said maritzburra🎉so did I....lmao 😂😂

A beautiful town hall. Curtis and Sonia you have to go too The town Dundee. Kzn. The biggest open air museum in SA. Talana museum. Angoboer war. Battle of Talana.. Heart of the battle fields Boers British and the Zulu kingdom. Beautiful and historic Dundee high school. Some beautiful buildings. Safe travels. 56:47

Interesting to see my town through a stranger's eyes. Sadly b the Royal Agricultural Show is moving their premises to Hilton.

Pay a visit to Hilton.

Funny my late father won some money on that horse, back in the 70s.

So much rhetoric about 'the oppression struggle' in the old prison as if it concerned everyone. In truth it was only a few and it was only because they were allowed the privilege of drawing comparisons. As George Orwell stated ..... ‘ “The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed.”’

Don't know how old this video but.....

I think that Pietermaritzburg is cleaner than other important South African cities.

i heard Western Cape want to have INDEPENDENCE

I travelled from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in 2003,, sm valley of 1000hills,, I found it so good