RONALD F. Ross (59), a dentist, works at 14 Stranack Street in central Pietermaritzburg.

How long have you worked here?

I moved into these premises from the Mutual Buildings in 1983.

When I moved in, the street was still mostly residential as was much of Berg (now Hoosen Haffejee) and Boom Street. I was one of only two professional people working here.

What kind of people live here?

All the former residences in Stranack Street are now occupied by professional people — architects, attorneys, Community Chest and brokers.

What do you like about it?

I like working here because there is none of the traffic noise I used to experience in Church Street, and although it is close to the centre of town, there are still trees and birdlife. It also has a nice homely feel, which my patients seem to appreciate — there are no high-rise buildings, elevators or the cold, clinical feel of modern hospitals. No parking problems!

What are its most interesting features?

Undoubtedly the fact that the street still consists almost entirely of the original turn-of-the-century houses tinted with the pink-reddish hue typical of the Victorian buildings of Pietermaritzburg, all of which are in a good state of repair. The road was constructed before the advent of cars and I think the cottage at the back of my house was originally stables.

What’s your favourite spot?

The house on the corner of Stranack Street and Hoosen Haffejee, which belongs to Nick Grice, the architect. It’s a beautiful piece of Victorian architecture with wrap-around verandahs, broekie lace and cast-iron pillars, which must have originally been imported from England. It also has a lovely, manicured garden and indigenous trees.

Anything interesting in its history?

Garry Porrit, who was involved in various financial scandals, used to have his offices next door.

What rallies the people in this area?

Litter has definitely become a bigger problem.

Do you know your neighbours and do you look out for each other?

I know the immediate neighbours very well, but am not so well acquainted with those living further down the road.

What are the good things about being here?

Low noise levels, low traffic flow. Turn-of-the-century brick houses converted into offices.

What are the not-so-good things about working here?

Nothing. I would have moved if I was not happy working here.

What sort of parties do people have?

Nashua in Hoosen Haffejee Street has the occasional after-work party, but generally this is a street with two distinct personalities — busy during the day, but very quiet at night after everyone has locked up shop and gone home.

Where do children play in your area and what do they do?

There is a family living behind one of the offices in the street whose children occasionally play on the road in the early evening.

What should a visitor not miss out on?

I would definitely recommend a visit to Rosehurst, just around the corner in Boom Street, which is well known around the world, especially among the gardening fraternity.

Rescued from obscurity in 1980 by the colourful Pietermaritzburg personality, Lorraine Kettley, and her husband, David, its garden was partly inspired by the one atSissinghurst Castle designed by Victoria Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicholson.

For the last five years the property has been owned by landscape artist and horticulturist Candy Wise, who has tried to maintain Kettley’s original vision.

She has also opened up a speciality coffee shop and a unique collection of shops — including a very good second-hand bookshop — in the house’s various rooms.

Anthony Stidolph

Do you live in a neighbourhood that deserves to be featured in The Witness? It can be a street, complex, block of flats or undefined area. Contact us at features@witness.co.za or phone 033 355 1111 in the mornings and ask to speak to Shelagh McLoughlin.