Constantin's inspection tour of Matabele Province had lasted only a few days before he had to return to First Town to welcome the New Year with his family. This trip through Matabele Province had essentially gone no farther than Harare city.
Boarding the special train, Constantin said with some regret, "Time was too tight this trip. It would have been nice to visit Bulawayo!"
"Your Majesty, Bulawayo city can wait until next year. Now that there is a railway, getting to these cities is no trouble. Aside from Bulawayo, the only city in the south worth visiting is New Hamburg City. But New Hamburg City was built entirely according to the models of Dar es Salaam city and other cities. They are much of a muchness, without much distinctive character."
That was what Kade, the steward, said. In truth, New Hamburg City differed greatly from many East African ports. Its bay contained three port districts, including a naval port, and it was divided into inner and outer harbors. If one truly went to New Hamburg City and toured it by boat, one could discover and appreciate its unique layout.
As for Kade's claim that it had been built according to the templates of Dar es Salaam city and other coastal cities, that was not wrong either. It was simply more a matter of shared standards, reflected in urban infrastructure and public amenities.
"Kade, how is Pretoria in Hechingen Province—the former capital of the Republic of the Transvaal—doing now? It seems I have not heard any news about it," Constantin asked.
Before East Africa occupied the South African region, Pretoria had unquestionably been one of the foremost cities in southern Africa. Only Cape Town stood a level above Pretoria. Now there was not even a whisper about it, which made Constantin