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University of Fort Hare, Stewart Hall
Alice, Eastern Cape
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Click to view map Coordinates: | The Stewart Hall commemorates Dr James Stewart of Lovedale, and originally comprised of a symmetrically planned linear building in a neo-classical style, with its length oriented on a diagonal axis from northwest to southeast. Entrance into the building on the southwest side was through a generous door, framed with a fine sandstone surround. The words STEWART HALL were inscribed in large V-cut letters in a recessed sandstone panel above the door, which panel was in turn capped with a moulded projecting sandstone ledge. The building was constructed in 1919 and this date is recorded on a square stone flagstone set - on the diagonal - in the floor of the entrance hall. The plastered walls were set on a low projecting dressed sandstone plinth. The windows were all finely proportioned nine-over-nine pane double sashes, some of which were capped with a finely moulded pediment detail (see photographs). The windows on the northeastern elevation are protected with cantilevered concrete canopies - an acknowledgement of the hot weather experienced in Alice. The building has double-pitched clay tiled roof with a corrugated iron capping – possibly to facilitate the ventilation of the roof space. Two substantial tile capped chimneys penetrate the ridge and accentuate the symmetry. In 1946 the southeastern end of the linear plan was 'book-ended' with a short, transverse extension, called the W. T. Welsh Wing. A large sandstone foundation stone records the relevant details – see transcription below: W. T. WELSH WING (Zamuxolo translated from the Xhosa means 'Striving for peace'. Refer to The Bhunga Building for an additional reference to W T Welsh). The northwestern end of the linear plan was also ‘book-ended’ with a similar short, transverse extension, called The Donaldson Wing. A large sandstone foundation stone records the relevant details – see transcription below: THE DONALDSON WING The Bantu Welfare Trust was established in 1936 by Lt. Col. Donaldson. The stated objectives of the Trust were: "The advancement of the status and the removal or amelioration of the disabilities and discriminations now suffered by the Aboriginal Bantu Population of the Union of South Africa, and generally for the advancement of the collective and general benefit, improvement and betterment of the said Aboriginal Bantu Population of the Union of South Africa and the adjacent Native Territories of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland." The Trustees circa 1936/37 (and their post-nominal titles) were: Kerr (1968) records that "Donaldson had come out to South Africa as a young immigrant from the East of Scotland to the district of Victoria East, in which the hamlet of Fort Hare was situated. He had found employment at one of the stores in Alice and had found accommodation in one of the Fort Hare houses which now form part of the College estate. Subsequently he had moved to another store higher up the Tyumie valley and from there had moved on to the Diamond Fields and the Rand Gold Fields. It was said that as a director of companies he had made a fortune; but evidently he had not forgotten Fort Hare as his first foothold in South Africa and the scene of his first contact with Africans....His benefactions included scholarships for African students, donations for library equipment and contributions to buildings, especially the Women's Hostel and the Donaldson Wing of Stewart Hall." A contemporary Who's Who (1936) records that Donaldson was born in 1863 in London, was educated in Edinburgh and came to South Africa in 1881. He was involved in the 'Reform Committee' (and the Jameson Raid of 1896) and was sentenced to imprisonment and a fine of £2 000. He served in the South African War and was awarded the Queen's and King's Medals. He commanded the I.L.H. (Imperial Light Horse) from 1902 to 1906. On 7th April 1916 he was appointed to command the 19th (Labour) Battalion of the Royal Scots, part of the British Expeditionary Force in France. Donaldson was a stock broker and a member of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. William's (2001) records that the Senate Executive of the University College of Fort Hare was still meeting with representatives of the Trust in 1959. The Stewart Hall now forms the northeastern edge of the large central open space on the UFH campus, now known as Freedom Square. Ref: [William MARTINSON; includes information supplied by Liz de Wet, Cory Library, Rhodes University, Grahamstown.] All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon. Books that reference University of Fort Hare, Stewart Hall
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