Just in time for Heritage Day, the stolen pieces from the statue of Just Nuisance have been replaced and the statue returned to its previous glory thanks to the efforts of the Simon’s Town Historical Society.
Earlier in May this year, the bronze replica collar and RN sailor cap from the statue at Jubilee Square in Simon’s Town were stolen. The Simon’s Town Historical Society offered a R5 000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to the recovery of the stolen pieces but eventually decided to replace them altogether.
Appropriately, dog food company JOCK helped sponsor the funds needed to replace the original statue pieces, commissioning artist Jean Doyle who was the original artist responsible for the pieces.
Artist Greg Breach assisted with matching the new hat and collar’s colour to the existing Just Nuisance body as it experienced some weathering over the years.
The iconic statue is named after Just Nuisance, a male Great Dane born in 1937 in Rondebosch, Cape Town who was the only dog to ever be enlisted in the Royal Navy.
At an early age, Just Nuisance was sold to Benjamin Chaney, who moved to Simon’s Town to run the United Services Institute (USI). The USI was frequented mainly by the Royal Navy sailors – The Royal Navy being at that time in charge of the Simon’s Town Naval Base. The pooch soon grew to be a massive dog and it was in Simon’s Town that he would come to be a legend.
He was well-known and much loved by many due to his friendly nature and considered all sailors his natural friends. He got his name due to the fact that he would laze about on the decks of the boats all day and sailors would often say, “You’re just a nuisance, why do you have to lie here of all places?!”
Just Nuisance died in 1944 and was laid to rest with full military honours. The statue of the dog, his collar and sailors cap place next to him, is a fond reminder of his extraordinary character.
Pictures: Trace Photography ZA