When I first got to Ladysmith, Emnambithi, in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, I thought it was a small new town with nothing much to offer. Little did I know that these grounds have been walked on for centuries. Its history dates back to the monarchic rule of Shaka Zulu and is also heavily influenced by colonialism.
In small towns, it's popular for the youth to move to cosmopolitan cities to hustle and grow their careers; this happens here, too. However, those who stay behind prove it's possible to start and grow here. The June 16, 2024, Vintage Sundays Episodes event by Samie Fortune150 is proof of that,
In this paper, I explore Ladysmith's rich history and how it relates to the Vintage Sundays Episodes.
Ladysmith History
Ladysmith is situated northwest of KZN on the banks of the Klip River. When colonialists moved to and from the then Transvaal and Kimberly to mine gold and diamonds, Ladysmith served as their staging post. In 1850, it was named after Sir Harry Smith's wife, who was the governor of the Cape Colony.
From 1899 to 1900, it was affected by the Anglo-Boer War, as the Boers aimed to capture and take over the town from the British. The city also suffered many storms and the Great Depression before it was rebuilt around 1940.
Although it expanded and grew between 1940 and 1960, it became more stable when democracy was introduced in South Africa. Qedusizi Dam was built and completed to end the floods caused by the Klip River's overflow. More people were able to settle in townships like Steadville and Ezakeni. Although it's a small town, Ladysmith also has rural and suburban areas.
There are several historical establishments in the town and surrounding areas. These include the Ladysmith Siege Museum, The Royal Hotel, Convent Hill, Ladysmith Town Hall, Blackhouse Museum, and All Saints Anglican Church.
Ladysmith Today
Where does the name Emnambithi, as the town is sometimes referred to, come from? San people first occupied the Ladysmith area, hunting and minding their business. However, during King Shaka's great rule, the Zulu nation expanded across KZN. When they moved north and tasted the sweet water of the Klip River, the King named the place Emnambithi.
Today, Ladysmith has a population of around 150,000. It also has various industries, including food processing, textiles and tyre production. The town has some of the most talented people in the South African entertainment industry, including the legendary Menzi Ngubane, members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Black Diamond.
Vintage Sundays Episodes
People who visit this side of KZN seldom explore Ladysmith. They use it as a gateway to the Drakensberg. To draw more attention to this city's historical establishments, the owner of Fortune Security Intelligence created Vintage Sundays Episodes.
The aim is to empower, embrace and expose the rich history of Ladysmith through vintage wear and hosting events in the historical establishments of this town.
The founder, Samkelo Fortune Mfene, is a vintage enthusiast who began by taking beautiful pictures in Ladysmith's most remarkable spots at angles that draw attention to architectural details and street marks you didn't notice before.
His combination of vintage fashion, remarkable photography, and the profound history of Ladysmith attracted a large audience on social media. As the audience grew larger, people wanted to take part and be featured in the photos. As a result, the Samie Fortune150 posts became a lifestyle, which birthed the Vintage Sundays Episodes in 2018.
The "Episodes" are events hosted to create an environment where people can connect and travel back in time vibrantly and fashionably. Samie Fortune150 hosts these events in timeless settings that tell stories of the past. People pull up with vintage fashion wear while classical music echoes as they take pictures beside vintage props.
The Upcoming Event
Vintage Sundays Episodes Season Two, "Streets of Ladysmith," has a theme from 1976 and back. It'll be held at The Royal Hotel and will feature classic vintage music, fashion, and cars. More of its entertainment will be in museum exhibitions and the Town Hall.
Of course, it will occur on one of South Africa's most remarkable public holidays, Youth Day, on June 16. The founder has previously and successfully held the following events:
- Vintage Sundays Episodes 1 in Convent Road, in November 2019
- Vintage Sundays Episodes 2 in Trenchgula Guests Lodge which featured a performance from a famous SA Idols star, Mangaliso
- Vintage Sundays Episodes 3 in Plantrand Lodge featuring an interview of classic music specialist Oki Poti, by Nqubeko FM
- Vintage Sundays Episodes 4 was also in Trenchgula Guests Lodge
The above four events were part of Vintage Sundays Episodes Season One. The "Streets of Ladysmith" event is the pilot of season two. It will be held on June 16, 2024, so you can attend if you'll be visiting Ladysmith KZN or surrounding towns this holiday.
You can secure your spot by purchasing a VIP ticket or simply showing up on the day and watching outside the Town