TOPIC:

Durban's morning newspaper, The Mercury', reports that the Rand Club in Johannesburg is "to close its doors after more than a century." "However, nothing of historical value is being sold or thrown away, from Zulu spears thrown on the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift to the dead members' billiard cues that still stand, by long-standing tradition, in racks in the basement."
Viewing from his heavenly perch, Cecil Rhodes will again be feeling thoroughly disgusted.

Brett

Shocking news Brett, I suppose membership has dropped off over recent years?

Frank
The 'gentleman's clubs' in South Africa have all fallen on hard times, and they have been forced to lower their standards by admitting women and others. The Rand Club has kept its building for a surprisingly long time given the state of central Johannesburg. Its counterparts in Maritzburg and Durban gave up ownership of their grand old central city buildings many years ago.
Regards
Brett

Morning Brett,
Well, it is 2015 after all, women, okay, but, others?
Who, or, indeed, what particular others?
Pets perhaps?
Kind regards Frank

Frank
The "others" are an assumption based on the fact that I have been a guest at both the old Victoria Club in Maritzburg and the old Durban Club. I am fairly certain that neither would have had me as a member, hence the belief in a category of "others".
Regards
Brett

Hello Brett,
Well, I think as long as you spent some money and therefore made a contribution your presence there would have been acceptable to the vast majority of members.
Kind regards Frank