I know this story yet you had me on edge! Story, music everything tied so nicely together. Cannot wait for part 2! Well done on this one Al.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Ulandi! Glad you enjoyed it.

@rudewaanphillips9622

Жыл бұрын

AI? Is the narrator a robot? Woow! 😅

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

@@rudewaanphillips9622 I've got the artificial bit down, but I wouldn't bet on the intelligence. 😜

I am South African. My mom and aunt in the 1980's would whenever they had a bad hair day, tell the other one: "You look just like Daisy de Melker. 😂 Love your video. Good recourse!

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that story. My late aunt also had a brilliant turn of phrase. Often saying something that couldn't be repeated in polite company. 😜

@traceys1938

Жыл бұрын

My late mom also used to refer to a bad hair day saying " I can't go out looking like Daisy de Melker" 😂😂

I'm so glad you have brought Mary the Less church into this post... Thank you ❤

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

A pleasure, thank you. There is so much beauty in its simplicity.

I had an unusual experience on my 74th birthday @ 22 Tully st. I had only just discovered that it was a "Daisy" house. I parked my motorcycle over the road from the house, and while sitting on my bike, 2 black foreigners came from #22 to ask me what I was doing there! I blew my stack, I was born 4 blocks away and this was my home turf, but that's a story for later. Once I had calmed down, they were very interested in the story of Daisy & invited me to meet their pastor. We met on the stoep, he asked for my phone no. and we had a cordial chat. Next day I got a call summoning me to see the pastor, & out of curiosity I went back, to hear a bizarre story. Apparently the pastor had tried many times to pray with his adherents in what must have been the main bedroom at the front of the house, without success! Something was blocking his efforts. After our discussion the day before, he consecrated that room and the atmosphere lifted. They had no problems after this I believe. WOW!

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment! I've always maintained that history is alive and people have fascinating stories to tell. I'd love to connect and chat more about this so that I could possibly add to the next episode. If you're interested, please mail me info@alprodgers.co.za

@YESYES-qz2ex

Жыл бұрын

@jeffbaxter8770 .. read my comments in the second episode that was posted 3 days ago. It will shock you.

Another fascinating episode Al. I too have just finished reading Ted's book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is keen on learning about crime in Jhb back in the early days. I await the conclusion of this story with eager anticipation .

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks David. The more I learn about the old part of Johannesburg, the more I want to visit it.

I spent a good minute trying to remember where i know you from, the face might have changed a wee bit but i knew i know that voice.. You made my childhood so much more bearable, you were on a kiddies show back in the early 90s, i cant remember if it was Kideo or the ones that were on TV2, i think you used to sing in that show too.. You probably didnt know but you made many a snorty-nosed kids' childhood 💕

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

You have an excellent ear and memory. Yes, I did a short stint as Mr. Patchitt on Kideo. The SABC repeated the episodes for years afterwards. I'm amazed that you recognised me and genuinely touched that they added something good. Thank you.🙏

@justinafrika7860

Жыл бұрын

A decade or two ago I found Al to be a hilarious standup and saw him live several times, including at comedy festivals.

Daisy has become such a legend that generations of South African children grew up being told she'll get them if they're naughty, like the boogeyman 😂

@JustOfftheHighway

11 ай бұрын

Yes, there's something about her that captures the imagination.

Brilliant. You brought the woman back to life. No pun intended! I'd love to see an episode dedicated to Bubbles Shroder and the mystery of her murder.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for your comment. That is a creepy mystery. I'm not sure I could add anything of value, but I'll definitely look.

@iyankirschner49

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. It's very interesting. My parents spoke a lot about it. My mother was on the very periphery of that social circle ...

@kimaglioti7775

Жыл бұрын

Me too. I heard Bubbles was murdered by two wealthy brother's and they covered it all up. Shocking.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

@@kimaglioti7775 Fascinating. I know very little about this case. I must begin to research.

valuable commemorating of these fascinating stories, Al, well done! loving it 🤩

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Rod! I lived so close to the Lorentzville house and only just found out about it.

I watched the movie as a Teenager. I was fascinated by it. Thank you for bringing it back to life. You did a great job.🎉🎉🎉

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much.

Decades ago the SABC produced an excellent 4 part series on Daisy de Melker. Haven't seen it since, but it STILL makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. Edit: I see this was a 3 hour 12 minute TV movie made in 1993 and starring Susan Coetzer as Daisy. It is listed on imdb. Really worth watching if you can find it.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I found a short snippet on KZread. Unfortunately, that's all. Excellent work with some very fine actors.

@friendlypiranha774

Жыл бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighway - That's all I found as well. However, I did watch it in its entirety back in the day and the way Daisy (Susan Coetzer) addressed her son Rhodes STILL gives me cold chills down my spine.

@tanyaroets2833

Жыл бұрын

I met Susan Coetzer in 2015 and the first words I blurted out were, "Daisy de Melker!" and she instantly slipped back into character, saying, "Bloed in die water, bloed in die grond" 😮 It was CHILLING and brilliant! We had a good laugh afterwards. Lovely lady. Would love to watch that movie/mini-series again.

Fascinating Al! And so interesting to see those parts of Jo'burg that I've driven through but not known more of the background. Look forward to part 2.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Hi Heather, thanks for your comment. Yes, even our relatively young city is steeped in mystery and exciting stories. Glad you enjoyed it.

My grans brother was the owner of Spilkins Pharmacy where the poison was bought.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

According to the book, that would be Abraham Spilkin. Thanks for your comment. We now have comments from descendants of almost all the major characters. What a fascinating example of living history.

@yonagalbraith1966

Жыл бұрын

@JustOfftheHighway Yes thatd right it was Abe Spilkin. I visited the pharmacy often w with my granny Rose Spilkin.

Love it!!

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Wow! Huge thanks, Jolene! Very generous of you.

Very informative video thanks Al😊

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure. Thanks for watching and commenting.

Howdy Al. My mother's paternal family were Spilkins, and Abe Spilkin was my grandfather's brother (my great uncle, I guess). Small world, huh? :)

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Hi Marc, that's so cool! Thanks for sharing.

Morbid topic but South African. On KZread nogals. I'm proud. Nice one! 🎉

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

There are 2 more houses in the south, which are said to be "Daisy" houses, I hope they come up in the next episode.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Hi, I only know of one. Please contact me if you'd like to share your info. info@alprodgers.co.za

@bushbabybotha9943

Жыл бұрын

There is one on a corner opposite the turfontein race track. A double story, don’t know the address but I’d recognise it.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Yes, that's the one I'm familiar with.

This is wonderful! Looking forward to part 2

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Part 2 is in production right now.

Hi good morning Al. Thank you very much for all your postings. This one is very well done. But way to short. Old Daisy was executed by hanging on my birthday 30 December 0f 1936/38. Not to sure. Keep up the good work you are doing for us. May you be blessed with many more interesting programs.... 😅

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your kind comment. She was indeed hanged on the 30th of December, but the year was 1932, only about 4 months after her conviction. They didn't delay in those days.

Thanks!

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for your support. I really appreciate it.

Dit blyk of hierdie Daisy almal geMelk het, LoL.

@lillianvandenberg3698

Жыл бұрын

😂 Spot on André.

What isn't greatly known that when Daisy and Rhodes went to the UK in 1928 they went to Liverpool and the Isle of Man to visit her first husband, Alf Cowle, brothers. She visited Liverpool first and the home of Lewis Cowle, Alf's brother. At the time, Doug Cowle, Lewis Cowle's son, and his wife Ann were staying with him with their 4 year old son, Ronald, and Daisy shocked them by asking if she could take Ronald back to South Africa with her. They said no way, and were glad to see the back of her as she sailed across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man. In the Isle of Man, she visited Thomas Edwin Cowle, another one of Alf's brothers. Daisy did the same thing there and tried to persuade my late mother, Dorothy Cowle to come back to South Africa with her. My grandmother Maggie Cowle, said: "Dorothy's going nowhere until she's of age." Dorothy was 17 at the time so that probably meant 21. My mother did go to the pictures with Rhodes whilst he and Daisy were staying at my Grandparents home at No. 25, Allan Street, Douglas and he told her lots of strange tales about Daisy, which I won't go into. My mother's family were shocked to read later in the Daily Express that Daisy had been arrested for murdering her first two husbands and her son Rhodes. Mad, bad, Great Aunt Daisy. God bless her!

@JustOfftheHighway

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely fascinating! This is information that I've never found in any of the source material I read. Thanks very much for sharing!

@ManxKat

11 ай бұрын

I’d heard the story of Daisy’s visit to the Isle of Man from my mother and my Uncle Alfie (another William Alfred Cowle and another plumber!) but I didn’t get really interested in the story until a chance meeting in a dentist’s waiting room in Reading, England where I was waiting for specialist orthodontic treatment. I got chatting to a dental nurse who came from Johannesburg. I mentioned Great Aunty Daisy and asked if she had heard of her. The nurse said “if you mean Daisy de Melker everybody in Johannesburg has heard of her!” I said I’d only heard of her by the name of Daisy Cowle and told her about Daisy’s visit to the Isle of Man in the 1920’s. The nurse was really interested in this information as it turned out her father was a retired judge and collected stories about Daisy. When I retired in 2009 and went to the British Library Newspaper Library in North London and got copies of the Daisy de Melker Trial as published by the Rand Daily Mail. Later, I wrote to the South African Police Museum in Pretoria telling them about Daisy’s visit to the Isle of Man. They sent me lots of newspaper cuttings and a picture of Daisy. A guy called Bob Smith had seen my letter at the museum and sent me a letter saying he was a blood relative of Daisy and would I like some family photographs of Daisy. I wrote to him thanking him, but I never heard from him again. The information about Daisy’s visit to Liverpool was provided by a distant cousin, Anne Barry, when I was doing some family research. I recently became interested again in Daisy when Ted Botha’s new book came out. I did contact him by e-mail and told him about Daisy visit’s to Liverpool and the Isle of Man and sent him some details about William Alfred Cowle‘s family in the Isle of Man. He had no idea either about Daisy visits to Alf’s brothers in the UK. @@JustOfftheHighway

@JustOfftheHighway

11 ай бұрын

@@ManxKat I would love to chat further about this. If you're interested, please email me at info@alprodgers.co.za so that I can make direct contact.

Great story. Thank you from Kalk Bay.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Hi, thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

My mother knew her since the 1940 she told us of Daisy DE Melcket. In JHB they even showed us her stuff in a place where all muderers was displayed

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Interesting. I didn't know her artifacts were on display.

About 25 years ago my young sister started dreaming of the "White House" in Turffontein. My mom took her there when there was an open house and sis started walking around as though she had been living there for years. That area has a lot of spiritual vibes.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

That's fascinating. (And a bit disturbing.)

@deanobambino23

Жыл бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighway Sorry it took me so long to find your page. Binging now 😎👍

My great grandmother was her prison gaurd in Pretoria while she awaited her execution. She herself had 5 husbands who died suspiciously 😂. My grandmother (her daughter in law) spread the rumour that Daisy "passed on some tips" 😂 funny enough, she threw the fire place's wood Axe at a woman flirting with my grandfather years later so she's one to talk! 😂 I visited the neighboring farm to where Daisy grew up in The Vaal Triangle once, luckily I don't look much like my great grandmother for the fear of being recognized by Daisy's undoubtedly haunting Ghost! 😂... Looking forward to the next video... Thank you 😁

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this delightful story! 🙏

Brilliantly done. Seems like I have to check your channel first before I attempt any new material. That means that I will have to subscribe. Oh well...

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying. Please share your channel name so that I can follow you too.

We also grew up in jhb south, in turffontein and so we had to pass that house on our way home and we'd always ask our dad to tell us the story again of the "spook house" haha. My sister and i were like, hide, we're passing the spook house... i was always facinated with that house, its changed over the years like deterioration and i always wonder if whoever lives there knows the story... thanks for this its brilliant, youre a wonderful story teller... cant wait for the next video... always facinated with this story.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. I want to touch on that "spookhuis" in part 2. Thanks for sharing your story.

I’m told my ex-wife was somehow ancestrally related to Daisy de Melker. Her family waited until after the wedding to disclose that bit of info. And yes, the ex WAS that hot tempered “strawberry blonde”…. 😁 More importantly, I loved your standup bits Al and friends and I have seen several of your hilarious live performances in various SA cities, including at a few comedy fests.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment. I'm proud I was able to give you a laugh. I hope to do more stand-up in future. The circuit has been a bit lean since Covid. (Don't know who the strawberry blonde is, but it sounds like you had to be careful! 😜)

Watch the movie made years ago....of daisy....in pretoria there is at a museum....many items and story of her murders...scary lady....

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks I must try to find the museum.

@tanyaroets2833

Жыл бұрын

Sadly, the Police Museum in Pretoria closed its' doors many years ago. But it was a favourite place to visit in the mid-1990's. Creepy, and not somewhere you'd want to be at night, but morbidly fascinating! They had many items related to 'famous' murders, like Daisy's and the Scissor Murder. The Panga Man was the scariest! I spent many a lunch hour there when I worked at Navy HQ ...

Lovely story. Yes, as a child if my hair was cut in a certain way my dad mocked me and said I looked like Daisy. Another lady also mentioned that in your comments. I guess we all grew up with Daisy. 😂.

@JustOfftheHighway

11 ай бұрын

😜I'm glad this episode has revived the saying, even in the smallest of ways.

Wow very true and interesting. I grew up in Rosettenville not far from the pharmacy that Daisy used. My mother told me as a youngster about Daisy poisoning her husband and sons with arsenic and apparently buried them in the yard, not 100% sure if that is correct. In Johannesburg cbd there was a chamber of horrors that featured Daisy, i never went but an interesting place.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Hi, Her 2 husbands and the son the poisoned are all buried in the same burial plot in the old Brixton cemetery.( I visited the grave in Part 2.) Thanks for your comment. You've showed once again that this part of Johannesburg has a rich history, sense of community and oral tradition. 🙏

@kimdhotman9199

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the update

Hi. Love this channel. I grew up in turf club in turfontein so knew a bit about the story. My mother always maintained Daisys house was haunted. She also referred to a ghost in the park nearby. Christopherson park. According to her it was a woman who was beheaded. Would you know anything about that?

@JustOfftheHighway

Ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for sharing that detail. No, I don't know that story, but I think I do know who to ask. Thanks for your kind words about Just Off the Highway.

My kids are now grown-up and out of the house. It's a pity that I hadn't been aware earlier of Daisy's little trick that she pulled on her son Rhodes. If I had known that while my boys were teens, and making my life a misery, I reckon I would've been generously plying the little feckers with cups of lovely steaming coffee... ☕

@JustOfftheHighway

4 ай бұрын

😁 Good thing I know you're joking Tat! Glad you're liking the channel.

@TatsEntertainment

4 ай бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighway I think you meant that you HOPE that I'm joking... 🤣

@JustOfftheHighway

4 ай бұрын

😅

Well done Congratulations!

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Hi! Thank you very much.

I remember growing up, knowing she was the first SA woman to be found guilty of murder. A Huisgenoot storie.

@bushbabybotha9943

Жыл бұрын

No, the first woman to be hanged.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I also grew up with her name used as a sensational story. "Huisgenoot storie" is a lovely way to describe it.

Fantastic storytelling and video. I always thought she killed only her son and husband. Just one question plz if any person can comment on it. There was also a lady called Maria Lee who was hanged if im correct? Would love to hear a bit of her. Keep up the good work!

@JustOfftheHighway

11 ай бұрын

Hi! Thanks for your encouragement and for the added information. This is the first time I hear about Maria Lee. Google tells me she was executed for poisoning her husband. Another fascinating story to look into.

I lived in some of the suburbs mentioned in this video years ago. It looks like Daisy was one of the most prolific female serial killers of all time??

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

She was only convicted of murdering her son. She denied murdering him, but she worded her denial in a way that left ambiguity about whether or not she murdered her husbands.

@charlesknowles6301

Жыл бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighway , what you say sounds true? However? Far too many of her husband's and children died of similar simptoms relating to being poisoned? I think she was a vile and evil minded woman who eventually got what she deserved.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Yes, the more I researched the more horrific it became. There were too many coincidences. BTW, she was also suspected of 2 more murders on Bulawayo, but I couldn't find enough about them in the time I have available.

@charlesknowles6301

Жыл бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighway , I look forward to the 2nd Video about Daisy? I often watch episodes of Forensic files on TV. How they catch criminals through science. Back in the days of Daisy, people could get away with murder much easier than today. This one episode? They caught this one guy who murded a young girl. Because of his palm print. He was in prison for minor offences before. It later came out that he could well have murded many women and got away with it for a number of years. Your past will sooner or later catch up with you? As was the case with Daisy.

Where is PART 2 ?

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Hi, part 2 is still in production. Thanks for your interest.

How evil. For money????? But why kill her son too??? She had a bad face. Scary woman. Dark.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

That mugshot is menacing. Yet in earlier photos she is quite different. While researching, I wonder what caused that change.

@kimaglioti7775

11 ай бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighway The evil inside of her black soul.

🆒😎👍! My father use to take us as children to Joburg for Xmas and Passover shopping in the 70 's . We always asked him to go show us Daisy's house and tell us the story.

@sheri2845

Жыл бұрын

Same haha, we asked about a million times to hear this story. And my dad told us about it about a million times.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

The more I researched the story, the more horrific it becomes. And going to the places makes it worse.

We stayed in Westtdene I was 14

My grandfather was owed money by her for goods that she purchased and when he went to collect as they did in those days she would put her dogs on him . Evil lady

@masterq2.033

Жыл бұрын

Well , she could have invited him in for a cup of tea instead.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

😜😂

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for another piece of the puzzle. Not exactly congenial, yet, strangely, she had no problem finding husbands.

@masterq2.033

Жыл бұрын

Daisy De Melker is actually a great ,great,great aunt of mine on my dad's side of the family. On my mom's side, my mom's great aunt was one of her friends, apparently. I would not admit this if it was not anonymous. Her friend , my mom's great aunt, had this to say about her husband that she was convicted for. He was such a sh!t that even if she did do it , he deserved it.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment! I've always maintained that history is alive and people have fascinating stories to tell. I'd love to connect and chat more about this so that I could possibly add to the next episode. If you're interested, please mail me info@alprodgers.co.za

My great grandmother (sarah botha)knew her, my great grandmother was her prison warder at the womens prison at constitution hill in JHB where she was held during her trial and after sentencing before she was transferred to Pretoria Central Prison for execution.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment! I've always maintained that history is alive and people have fascinating stories to tell. I'd love to connect and chat more about this so that I could possibly add to the next episode. If you're interested, please mail me info@alprodgers.co.za

@bushbabybotha9943

Жыл бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighway unfortunately all I know about that is what I’ve mentioned, my great grandmother died in 1949 so I never knew her, this is information that my uncle and his cousin told me. She was apparently a cousin of Baden-Powell, her maiden name was Powell, Baden -Powell was apparently born Robert Powell and his father’s first name was Baden, when he died his mother changed their surname to Baden-Powell. She is buried under my great grandfather at west park cemetery, she was born in 1885. That’s all I know.

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. We carry history with us.

Was my Grandpa Ken's cousin

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Daisy?

i think daisy worked as a nurse in durban

My grandpa and grandma live in das hous but here both are dead ❤👌👍

@JustOfftheHighway

11 ай бұрын

Hi. Which house? The one in Turffontein or Lorentzville? Would love to know if they knew of the Daisy connection.

@rikastemmet8849

11 ай бұрын

Think it is the first hous in the video

Is that the dies irae i hear at 4:38? Sneaky!

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

You give me too much credit.

@Ryan-ho4hf

Жыл бұрын

@@JustOfftheHighway ok so not sneaky, just spooky then? Vox did a great piece on this eerie bit of music kzread.info/dash/bejne/X2dhxLiLibXUg7A.html Nice vid! Looking forward to the conclusion!

Ek noem hierdie insetsels v jou 'mini- historiese dramas'. Ek kyk so lekker en leer so baie.....

@JustOfftheHighway

7 ай бұрын

Baie dankie!

Creepy women😮😮

@JustOfftheHighway

3 ай бұрын

Oh yes indeed!

Thanks!

@JustOfftheHighway

Жыл бұрын

Hi Louise, Thanks so much for your support. I'm glad you liked the episode and I appreciate your contribution. 🙏