The post Post Office era

On Sunday, surf at the Corner was running following some big winds. I worked across to the westernmost section in front of the rocks where the waves had better shape and pitch. In big surf it's harder to latch on to the wave: you have to take it when it's quite critical, so need shape to turn and stay ahead of the white water as it tumbles over. Between sets I had close-up views of the attractive buildings along the Muizenberg 'Historical Mile', including the old post office. Completed in 1911 it was later used as a courthouse and has recently been renovated and taken over by an ad agency. There are loads of other old buildings including Cecil John Rhodes' cottage and Rust en Vrede, one of architect Herbert Baker's best residential works. The SA Post Office business is in turmoil with scores of branches closing down. It has run at a loss in recent years, aggravated last year by an insane, long drawn out strike. This was a wake up call for many businesses, not least magazine publishers (yes some people still read hard copy magazines!), who couldn't distribute their product. Inevitably they have sought other forms of delivery. You have to feel for unionised workers whose leaders are prepared to sacrifice jobs and livelihoods in return for unaffordable salary increases. In the photo you can see  from the quality of the building that, back in 1911, post was a profitable and respectable business, vital for firms and individuals alike. E-commerce has not really caught on here as it has in the UK and China. The Royal Mail has gained a new lease of life from the likes of Amazon.com, delivering stacks of parcels all over the country. I still get the odd radio station verification (QSL) in the snail mail along with local postage stamps. I don't hang about waiting for the postman to arrive anymore but when one does come it gives me a real kick.