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Tree-mendous new plantings for Noodsberg as they commemorate Arbour Day

Arbour Day was an amazing day for Noodsberg, as they have created a culture and a deeply symbolic tribute instilled every year on this day, to honour their retirees by planting a tree. This initiative is done for all retirees for that particular year and anyone who retires before the next Arbour Day is honoured on this day.

This symbolic day is celebrated on the first Friday of September every year. It is customarily a great function open to all employees to participate, which in normal circumstances includes dressing up for the specific theme, there are awards, and gifts for the different categories.

Previously a King and Queen was announced, with both receiving trophies and there was a dancing or modelling category that was judged. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, things have changed but the show had to go on either way. For the 2020 and 2021 celebration, the invitation was opened to HOD’s and the line managers retirees only.

In addition, there is a wall of fame/remembrance that is dedicated to these retirees, with their names, the year of their retirement and the name of the tree all engraved on plaques. These plaques on the wall date back to 1999.

This wall is more than 20 years old, with the latest plaques being unveiled every year. On the day of their unveiling, GM’s and FM’s are given a platform to share a few words about the retirees.

The History of Sezela Mill - Celebrating 106 Years In 2021

For the past 106 years the growth of the South African Sugar industry has been closely linked with Sezela Mill, which was amongst the largest sugar mills in Natal at the time of its inception in 1915.

Sezela not only played a vital part in the development, but has been relevant for South Africa’s growth and in the process has carved a unique place in the country’s history.

Sezela was started by Reynolds Brothers Ltd, under joint managing directors Frank Reynolds and George Crookes. The mill was ideally situated close to the sea and river, 55 kilometres from Durban and water was supplied by a dam which they constructed above the Sezela lagoon. The new factory was outfitted with state-of-the-art machinery which was shipped from Glasgow just four days before the start of World War 1 in August 1914.

Sezela mill was in operation by September 1915 under the guidance of an experienced sugar farmer from the area, George Joseph Crookes, who had joined Reynolds Bros as managing director and personally guided the Sezela mill for the next 33 years.

In 1952 the Esperanza mill was transferred to Pongola and the mill’s entire crop was diverted to Sezela. A further expansion took place in 1956 when Sezela produced mill-white sugar. In 1963 Sezela mill reached an output of 81,245 tons of sugar. In 1975 Reynolds Bros purchased the milling operation of Crookes Bros, whose Renishaw mill was closed and its cane re-allocated to Sezela. In 2014 the mill crushed 1.7 million tons of cane and produced 212,000 tons of sugar.

Downstream

In 1974 CG Smith chemicals was contracted to Sezela to produce furfural from sugarcane bagasse.

In 2014 Sezela produced 17,119 tons of furfural.

The construction of Sezela Mill

1920's

1950's

1990's

106 year old Sezela Locomotive

"Sezela No 1" is the name of an Avonside 0-4-0T 2ft gauge locomotive with works no 1719 built in 1915. It is plinthed, with the "ILLOVO" brand logo on its sides, at the back of the offices of the Sezela Sugar Mill at Sezela on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal - about halfway between Durban and Port Shepstone. This engine has an 8.5" x 12" design. From new it was in the service of Reynolds Bros Ltd, and worked on the Sezela Sugar Estate.

Ordered for the 125-mile railway system that once served the extensive Sezela sugar-cane plantation in Natal, South Africa - 4 similar 0-4-0T (side tank) 2ft gauge locomotives were built in 1915 by Avonside Engine Co Ltd of Bristol, England for Reynolds Brothers to be used on the Sezela Sugar Estate. All the engines had an 8.5" X 12" design using Stephenson's link motion.

SEZELA

The sugar tramways of Natal had some 18 systems in operation in their heyday, spread over the North and South Coasts. One of these was at Sezela owned by Reynolds Brothers and close to the SAR south coast line. Named after the Sezela River, this 2ft gauge sugar line was extensive - 125 miles in total. The Sezela system was officially closed on 21 February 1970, along with many other sugar lines.

Shaka is said to have given Sezela its name. While encamped there with a group of his warriors on the bank of the Malangeni River – so named after the Zulu clan resident in that region at the time – there was a cagey old crocodile that was believed by all to be an evil spirit. Legend had it that this crocodile could ‘smell out’ its victims no matter where they dared ford the river. Riled by this, Shaka sent out men to track down and kill this crocodile and when they did its Zulu name iSezela – “the one who smells out” – became the name of the river and the region.

Today the community of Sezela centres round a busy sugar mill with its own sweet smell of success.

This photo courtesy of Andre Guelpa shows "Sezela No 1" [Avonside works no 1719 built in 1915] resting on its plinth near the offices of the Sezela Sugar Mill. Note that the engine has retained her original Stephenson's link motion..

Sezela No 1" at the Sezela Sugar Mill photographed by the late Eric Angus about the period 1966-68.

SISTER ENGINE - "SEZELA No 2" -1966-68
Avonside 1720/1915

SISTER ENGINE - "SEZELA No 3"
Avonside possibly 2035/1929

"Sezela No 3" after restoration at Sandstone - photo: Hannes Paling. It is painted in Natal Green with yellow lining and is in working order at Hoekfontein."

SISTER ENGINE - "SEZELA No 4"
Avonside 1738/1915
1966-68.
Sezela No. 4 was built by Avonside Locomotive Company in Bristol in 1915, Works Number 1738. It is an 0-4-0 Side Tank locomotive. It was originally supplied to Sezela Sugar Estates, Illovo, Natal, South Africa.