Statues and Busts. Captain Carl von Brandis: Johannesburg

This statue of Captain Carl von Brandis is situated on the corner of Pritchard and Von Brandis Street by the Supreme Court. The area is undergoing a revamp at the moment so I was not really able to get closer than the corner. Originally on the blocks bounded by Jeppe, Small, Kerk and Von Wielligh Streets, the almost 5 metre statue was sculpted by David F. MacGregor (who also sculpted The Miners' Monument) and donated to Johannesburg by The Chamber of Mines in 1965 and unveiled by his worship the mayor, councillor Aleck Jaffe on 6 August 1965. Carl von Brandis was the first Mining Commissioner of Johannesburg. The inscription reads:

"Carl von Brandis
1827-1903.
Born in Germany, Captain Carl von Brandis was the first mining commissioner for Johannesburg.
On the 4th of October 1886, while standing on a whisky box outside a tent that served as his
office, he proclaimed te triangular area of Randjieslaagte where Johannesburg was founded.
Von Brandis was soon promoted to Magistrate ("Special Landrost"), becoming the most senior
government official on the Witwatersrand from 1886-1900. He had the difficult task of
upholding law and order in the fast growing mining town of Johannesburg. "

Captain von Brandis is buried in Braamfontein cemetery. A similar statue on his grave was stolen some years ago.

DR Walker. 2009-2012. Created 31 October 2011