MIDWAYS Constructed in 1926 on the foundation of aq house which had burned down, Midways was built for Sir Reginald Blankenberg and his wife Laura Veryan. The epitome of a fine civil servant, Blankenberg was private Secretary to Sir Richard Solomon, then to Prime Minister General Louis Botha. He was also Acting High Commissioner in London, and upon his return, was appointed to various corporate directorships. Lady Laura Blankenberg was the Commissioner for the Girl Guides of South Africa. Midways was designed by the Cape architect AJ Marshall, based on the original house built in the English Arts and Crafts tradition.