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THE BOOK
Mill technology was introduced into South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in the seventeenth century and subsequently, many hundreds of mills, driven by water, wind and horse were constructed. Most of these are either in a state of total dilapidation or serious disrepair; a few notable exceptions have been renovated and are in working condition. The Josephine watermill and Mosterts windmill are examples of renovated mills.

These mills, many located in spectacular settings in the South African countryside, are crumbling away, their function in South African history forgotten or ignored. Apart from the technical publications of the late James Walton, whose book about South African mills was published 32 years ago in 1974, there have been no publications since.

THE AUTHOR
born in London, England in 1951, and schooled in South Africa, Canada and Singapore, Chester Staples has now made South Africa his permanent home.

After completing his education in Vancouver, Canada, he became involved in the oil industry, starting as a roustabout in Southern Alberta during college vacations, and moving through other fields until he ran his own equipment supply and rental company. This period took him through Canada, the USA and most countries in south eastern Asia. In 1991, he left the oil industry after nearly twenty years, and returned to Johannesburg. He is now involved in the Information Technology industry.

In 1994, his friend Michael de Pinna starred in the first Vodacom, Cellular Service Provider�s TV advertisements to launch their entry into the cell phone market in South Africa. The advertisement, which featured a yuppie from town who locked himself out of his car in the countryside and then bought a roadside vendor�s entire stock � Bankole�s wire wind mill models � in exchange for the use of the vendor�s cell phone. This memorable advertisement planted in Chester�s mind the seed of interest in the fascinating world of Mills.

Chester has spent six years researching the subject of mills, during which time he has travelled some 25,000 kilometers, recording, visiting and photographing mills around the southern African countryside. Apart from becoming a student of history Chester is now also a knowledgeable molinologist. He now lives in Johannesburg with his two daughters.