Angela will be remembered by most for Angela’s Picnic. Remembered by the many 1000s who have attended the event over the last 30+ years mainly at Delta Park. SAMCA – South African Marque Clubs Assn. was formed by 6 classic car clubs (Austin Healey, MG, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, I think Lancia and Morgan) over 30 years back. Very soon after its formation Angela suggested a laid-back, totally uncompetitive, picnic in the park for all owners of interesting cars – whether members of SAMCA or not. After Angela died of cancer it was considered appropriate to take a collection at the entrance to the park for the Cancer Association. Subsequently the beneficiary was changed to Hospice. Well over R 700 000.00 has been donated in Angela’s name to the immense credit of SAMCA.
What not many in the Classic Car fraternity know is that Angela also ran Friends of the Opera. She visited Bayreuth in Germany most years for the Wagner festival. On her annual sorties abroad she would visit England to collect Edwina, her Rolls Royce which took her all over the continent including behind the iron Curtain.
Angela was the Morgan agent in South Africa for over 25 years and ordered one of the first +8s ever made in 1968. It was originally supplied in undercoat because she couldn’t decide on a colour. The final paint (a metallic green – before it was rebuilt in framboise frappe – pink to you Charlie!) was applied here. This was probably the only Morgan to leave the factory starkers.
She was a leading light in the Doberman club inviting and hosting many top judges from overseas. She was a member of the Swiss Rifle club though I know not of what their activities consisted. She was the first South Africa Agent for Nava Helmets, KTM Motorcycles, Bilstein Shock absorbers and was I understand the first woman member of the Motor Industries Federation. She rode her own KTM and visited the Roof of Africa Rally many times in her Jeep. She managed to tip this vehicle nose over tail while going up too steep a slope. She raced hotrods at the old Wembley Stadium. Angela started writing a book on gargoyles of which she had thousands of photographs from all over the world. She also flew her own crop-sprayer.
Angela’s dinner parties at no.6 The Munro Drive, Houghton were legendary. Over 20 people could be seated at her table in the dining-room with candles being the only light source. 66 candles if I remember correctly. I put them out with the snuffer on at least one occasion. The view from the dining-room window was amazing. I’m sure I saw the Voortrekker Monument one clear day. You were invited to dinner on the basis of how interesting you might be and what you could contribute. Seating was done according to how you may, or may not get on with your neighbours. I don’t remember leaving before 2:00 a.m. – ever!
Angela’s family name was Jordan and her father was Kirchoff’s Seeds. I remember a discussion amongst a few people bragging about how their family names had become part of history. She suggested that there was nothing to which her family had given its name – except perhaps that river between Israel and Jordan. A magic lady – remembered by all who knew her with immense affection and admiration.
Long may she be remembered.
Terry M. Allan (2019) – 082 412 0371
……………………………………………………………………………………………..After Angela died , SAMCA continued to stage Angela’s picnic and a collection is made at the picnic every year, which is donated to the South African Hospice Association. Over the years SAMCA has collected and donated up to R700,000-00 to organizations for cancer sufferers and terminally ill people. For the past 2 years Covid lockdown regulations have prevented the event from being held.
