MILLS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA WIND, WATER AND HORSE

Name: COFFEE TABLE BOOK MILLS OF SOUTH AFRICA WIND WATER AND HORSE
Brand: TORK CRAFT
SKU: CTB001
Price: 573.85 ZAR
Availability: InStock

Mill technology was introduced into South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in the seventeenth century and subsequently, many hundreds of mills, driven by water, wind and horse were constructed. Most of these are either in a state of total dilapidation or serious disrepair; a few notable exceptions have been renovated and are in working condition. The Josephine watermill and Mostert's windmill are examples of renovated mills.

Purpose of this book:

'To promote interest in old mills and other Africana now passing from the present scene'

The book records what is left of the original mills and stimulates interest in the renovation of some of these vernacular structures - an important part of our heritage. Today, there is a worldwide interest in molinology (the study of mills). As South Africa is rich in molinological sites, this book is anticipated to encourage enthusiasts to visit the sites.

Contents and sections of the book:

The book is a photographic record of many of the existing mills and a record of all known mills. It includes a GPS reference to each mill, maps and some technical illustrations. The text is balanced between a light entertaining style and a factual account of people, places and milling information. Chapters will cover the entire country as well as Swaziland and Lesotho.

The author

Born in London, England in 1951, and schooled in South Africa, Canada and Singapore, Chester Staples has now made South Africa his permanent home.

After completing his education in Vancouver, Canada, he became involved in the oil industry, starting as a roustabout in Southern Alberta during college vacations, and moving through other fields until he ran his own equipment supply and rental company. This period took him through Canada, the USA and most countries in southeastern Asia. In 1991, he left the oil industry after nearly twenty years and returned to Johannesburg. He is now involved in the Information Technology industry.

In 1994, his friend Michael de Pinna starred in the first Vodacom, Cellular Service Provider's TV advertisements to launch their entry into the cell phone market in South Africa. The advertisement, which featured a yuppie from town who locked himself out of his car in the countryside and then bought a roadside vendor's entire stock - Bankole's wire wind mill models - in exchange for the use of the vendor's cell phone. This memorable advertisement planted in Chester's mind the seed of interest in the fascinating world of Mills.

Chester has spent six years researching the subject of mills, during which time he has travelled some 25,000 kilometres, recording, visiting and photographing mills around the southern African countryside. Apart from becoming a student of history, Chester is now also a knowledgeable molinologist. He lives in Johannesburg with his two daughters.