The following updates on the Barberton Block House were sent through by Marius Bakkes and the team from Mpumalanga Heritage. A very tough scenario faced by activists and officials across the country. [Originally published February 2013]
According to the Barberton museum’s heritage walk information sheet, this fort dates from 1900 and is a example of the earliest design (made of wood and iron guard) of the British block houses in South Africa. It was built during the war (along with four others) as position to protect the concentration camp and hospital. It was manned by the Barberton town guard which consisted of local men. Over the past years the structure became quite derelict until the local Ratepayers Association raised their concern. Recently the following correspondence came under our attention:
Andy Nuns, Chairman Barberton/Umjindi Ratepayers Association wrote: We were recently advised by Roland Jones that the Blockhouse door was missing and the inside was a mess. Marjorie and Roland did a preliminary inspection of it on Saturday. Marjorie and I inspected the Blockhouse on Sunday afternoon and established the following:
- It has deteriorated considerably due to lack of maintenance. The roof is loose and flapping and rusted through in parts
- The barbed wire previously surrounding it has been trampled flat.
- The door has been stolen.
- The floor has rotted through probably due to ingress of water and floor boards have been removed presumably for Firewood. The place is not safe to enter due to the rickety floor and missing floor boards.
- The inside was full...
