[Intro originally published in March 2013] A few weeks ago we visited Yukon, the famous historic mansion in Bez Valley. The owners, Henry and Loretta, gave us an overview of the mystery and intrigue behind the disappearance of the house's hugely significant stained glass windows. It would be fantastic if we could find them and bring them home to South Africa. Below is a brilliant article from the Saturday Star (1993) that gives some background to the saga.
Everytime we travel to Wits campus we look up in amazement at the majestic Tower of Light. It has been standing since the mid 1930s and is still a landmark on the Johannesburg skyline. The Tower was rated one of Johannesburg's Top 100 sites in the lead up to the Centenary Celebrations. Below is the statement of significance written by Bernard Cooke in 1985.
[Originally published March 2012] Every year Heritage SA (renamed the Heritage Association of South Africa) runs a powerful symposium for its members and affiliates. Last year the Drakenstein Heritage Foundation played host and selected the following theme: 'The role of inidgenous peoples, settlers and slaves in creating 18th century opulence at the Cape.' Below is a report that appeared on the Heritage SA website via Courant Vant Vlekaancaap.
[Originally published 11 March 2013] On Saturday 9th March the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation had a walking tour around Fordsburg looking at heritage buildings and talking of the dramatic history. At 3.30 pm the group reached the historic Fordsburg Square where a plaque was unveiled recording the final battle of the 1922 Strike which took place in the Square. Dino Badroodin, proprietor of The Train on the Square, and Flo Bird of the JHF unveiled the plaque as shown in the photograph above.
[Originally published 11 July 2014] A modern day mystery appears to be developing in Highland Road, Kensington. No one seems to know what has happened to Marius Van Den Spek, the apparent owner of the iconic Kensington Castle. Over the last few years the property has fallen into disrepair with various sources stating that Marius has abandoned his inheritance (along with a very large council bill).
The following article, highlighting two remarkable heritage sites south of Johannesburg, was compiled by Calvin Montgomery of the Southern Suburbs Heritage Society in 2013
We are incredibly excited to publish this superb article on a little known piece of Cape Town and South African Mining History. In the paragraphs below Professor Peter Spargo traces the rise and fall of a gold mining venture on Lion's Head. The article was originally published in the June 2015 edition of the Bulletin of the National Library of South Africa.
[Originally published 14 March 2015] The Three Castles Building, located a short distance from the ABSA / Barclays precinct in the east of the Joburg CBD, has been in danger for many years. This unique building is a survivor but we fear she may be on her last legs! On a recent visit we noticed that one of the previously bricked up sections has been opened up allowing free access to the property (the building was sealed off at the beginning of 2013). Below are a few images of the neglect that continues to impact this Joburg icon…
Over the weekend members of The Heritage Portal team took a stroll through the Johannesburg CBD and paused outside some of the heritage buildings that were painted pink between June and August 2014. The campaign, run by a team of foreign and local artists, aimed to highlight the neglect of inner city buildings in the context of an affordable housing crisis and in doing so spark discussion among the citizens of Johannesburg.
Below is the Egoli Heritage Foundation's response to the revised statement by Urban Joburg (published 15 September 2014) on the 'Pink Buildings Controversy'. Those wishing to catch up on the saga can view previous letters and statements here.
