['King Williams Town-Public Offices (Alexandra Road)', 'Cradock'] before 1880

Sam Alexander, captured these two photographs of King Williams Town and Cradock, presumably sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. These images offer a glimpse into the architecture and environment of colonial South Africa, reflecting the institutional and social structures of the time. The photograph of King Williams Town Public Offices with its imposing colonial architecture exemplifies the visual language of imperial power and control. The classical style and prominent clock tower suggest a self-conscious effort to project authority and order. The picture was probably commissioned by the local authorities to promote the town and attract investment. Meanwhile, the tree lined streets of Cradock, evoke ideas of leisure, privilege, and the establishment of a new social hierarchy in a foreign landscape. To fully understand these photographs, it is crucial to examine archival records, colonial histories, and other visual materials. By piecing together these fragments of the past, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between photography, colonialism, and the construction of social space in South Africa.