['East London', 'Quillimane-Government house'] before 1880

These photographs of East London and Quillimane, including the Government House, are from an album by Sam Alexander. The image offers a glimpse into the colonial landscape of the time. Focus on the structures of power embedded in the image of the "Government House." The architecture and well-maintained grounds symbolize colonial authority and control. The presence of palm trees serves as a visual marker of the exoticized landscape, reinforcing the colonial narrative of domination over nature. It also serves as an attempt to legitimize the colonial presence by showcasing the supposed benefits of colonial administration. To fully understand this photograph, we could consider the social and political context of the time. Research into colonial archives, administrative records, and personal accounts of colonial officials and indigenous populations can offer insights into the power dynamics, social hierarchies, and cultural exchanges that shaped the colonial experience in East London and Quillimane.