A coalition of Tshwane organisations* has written to the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng (PHRAG) objecting to the current reconstruction of the perimeter wall at the Pretoria Indian High Commission (Arkleton). The coalition argues that all work should be halted immediately until ‘historically accurate design documentation and specifications are provided, scrutinised and approved’.
In May and June 2016 there was a loud public outcry over the demolition of the historically and architecturally significant perimeter wall. A number of newspaper articles appeared and a series of letters was sent to the PHRAG and heritage consultant by concerned parties. Despite the uproar, demolition continued and a new wall with little resemblance to the old emerged. Local heritage groups have been left feeling angry, frustrated and disappointed that the system designed to protect our heritage has allowed this to happen.
The coalition of organisations believes that the wall was eminently suited for restoration 'using conservation principles and structural engineering solutions'. Despite promises of restoration made by the contractor, the reality has proved to be very different. The before and after photographs below reveal a very sad loss of Tshwane's built environment heritage. The photographs and notes are courtesy of the Old Pretoria East Residents' and Ratepayers' Alliance (OPERRA)
Before
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In the article below, Graham Dominy highlights a number of heritage battles currently raging across Tshwane. The battles reveal many of the issues that continue to plague the heritage sector. Thank you to the editors of the Arcadian for giving us permission to republish.
The Old Pretoria central area of Tshwane is home to some of the most important architectural heritage in South Africa. The most visible of the buildings are the Union Buildings, set in Sir Herbert Baker’s beautifully terraced gardens. However, there are other important public buildings including the City Hall; there are churches (designed by both Baker and Gerard Moerdijk); schools, university buildings and ordinary homes. Sometimes it seems that they are all under attack, by developers, politicians, careless officials and planners who see the preservation of heritage as an obstacle to their grandiose visions. The developers mantra is that they are implementing the government’s densification policy which they like because it helps them turn a quick profit. Very little effort is made to relate this policy to the urban context in which it must be implemented unless there is public pressure.
The Old Pretoria East areas of Arcadia, Brooklyn, Clydesdale and Sunnyside East are under unremitting pressure from developers. The densification policy and the need for student accommodation at the University of Pretoria are used as excuses to destroy homes and dwellings with heritage value and to replace them with blocks and blocks of near-dormitory style dwellings for students. Even the university has woken up to the...
