Declarations

Try turning away when the Kaaimans River Railway Bridge comes into view. You can’t; it is the very definition of eye-catching. You’re intrigued. Located between George and Wilderness in the Western Cape, the bridge crosses the Kaaimans River as it enters the Indian Ocean. Whether you spot it from the river below, the Dolphins Point viewpoint above, or the N2 as you navigate its curves, the bridge and the undeveloped forested hills as they rise above both sides of the river mouth present an awe-inspiring picture. Together, they reflect the past era of railways as well as the challenging natural landscape through which the rail traversed.

The famous bridge from the river below (Wikipedia)

So in February 2021 I was surprised to learn that there was an application to construct a home on the hillside next to the bridge. The request was seeking permission to clear vegetation and undertake earthworks in order to build a dwelling, two guest rooms, and associated infrastructure on the property. For this, the owner needed an OSCA permit. The Outeniqua Sensitive Coastal Area process is the most significant tool to protect the environment in delineated parts of the Wilderness area. OSCA, however, does not cover all properties in the area by any means; in fact, it excludes many oceanfront and other properties that need such...

A public meeting held at the Castle of Good Hope on Saturday 16 March, which, attended by residents and members of SAHRA to discuss the heritage declaration of the Bo-Kaap, was stimulating and productive.

Entrance to the Castle (The Heritage Portal)

Statues of former Kings Cetshwayo, Langalibalele and Sekhukhune and 17th century resistance leader, Doman at the Castle of Good Hope, representing the changed attitudes in this colonial structure.

Here, deep in the bowels of a structure completed 340 years ago and representing colonialism and suppression, two groups worked enthusiastically towards a common goal, that of establishing the Bo-Kaap as a National Heritage Site. There does appear to be an argument to seek World Heritage status too.

Facilitated by the...