Mpumalanga

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:

1. It has deteriorated considerably due to lack of maintenance. The roof is loose and flapping and rusted through in parts
2. The barbed wire previously surrounding it has been trampled flat.
3. The door has been stolen.
4. 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.
5. The inside was full...

We are very pleased to publish Tony Ferrar's report on a recent journey along the Barberton Makhonjwa Geotrail organised by the Mpumalanga Historical Interest Group. MHIG Chairman, Duncan Ballantyne confirmed that eighty eight people attended, a new record for the young organisation. Attendees gave the recently finished Geotrail a big thumbs up. We expect it to become a major tourist attraction and inspire similar projects around the country in the coming years.

The Mpumalanga Historical Interest Group booked a conducted tour along the geotrail a short time ago. This well organised group was led by their chairman Duncan Ballantyne (Marius Bakkes was in Mozambique) and we had notice that it would be well attended.  The co-operative visitors were all organised into a minimum number of vehicles at Jathira, and we departed from the Mediclinic soon after 8am.  In total there must have been about 80 people in about 30 vehicles; everyone staying at least until lunch at Lebombo view, and about three quarters going the whole way to Bulembu. Sappi contributed a snack-stop at mid morning at geosite six which was much appreciated.  The weather was perfect, pleasantly cool and dry and sunny in the afternoon.

The stops at each site were un-hurried, allowing for a presentation talk at each, which resulted in plenty of discussion and lots of questions.  As the geosites rolled by there were increasing compliments and expressions of amazement at what they all learned, and surprise that there were such scenic and scientific riches so well presented right on their doorstep. ...

A massive scandal is brewing in Barberton as the town's famous historic core comes under threat. Below is an article written by Chris Rippon and Marjory Nunns and disseminated by the Mpumalanga Historical Interest Group. Click here for updates.

The Rimer’s Creek Park debacle continues. Government approves a heavy truck parking lot and pipe storage yard on the irreplaceable historical site of the Central Mill in Rimer’s Creek in the midst of heritage homes, four provincial heritage sites and residential properties.

In May 2007 a beautiful Memorial tree park, zoned public open space and situated in Rimer’s Creek - the historical ‘heart’ of Barberton - was illegally bulldozed. The indigenous trees in this park were planted by Rotary in memory of people who had played a part in the growth and development of the town.

This happened without any procedures for alienating public open space, any EIA, HIA or rezoning approval. This area is also protected in terms of the Municipality’s own Spatial Development Framework. It subsequently came to light that a conditional Deed of Sale Agreement had been entered into in April 2007 between Umjindi Municipality and IRRICON (trading as Leadal Property Investments (Pty) Ltd.) – a local irrigation company wanting to expand their industrial activities in the Commercial area into historical Rimer’s Creek situated behind their building. It was also subsequently established that this irreplaceable heritage site was required for the parking of Irricon’s abnormal load trucks, heavy machinery and irrigation pipes. Although only 2641 square metres...

In 2013 Chris Rippon and Marjory Nunns compiled the article 'Scandal brewing in Barberton'. Almost two years have passed and the scandal is definitely here. Read on for details from the same authors. Click here for updates.

Following the eight year battle to prevent the rezoning of the irreplaceable historic site of the Central Mill in Rimer’s Creek from Public Open Space to ‘Special’ for Light Industrial purposes, and a shocking EIA process, I&APs recently won their Appeal against the environmental authorization issued by MDEDET in the ROD dated 12 August 2013.  This authorisation paved the way for what was basically a heavy load truck parking lot in the historical heart of Barberton. However, before finalization of the 18 month Appeal decision making process and without the knowledge of the community - and despite an assurance to the contrary - the Municipality transferred the land to the Applicant!

Six months after the event I&APs discovered that transfer took place on 4 December 2014 but they were never notified officially, they know very little, and only found out because the Appeal Decision made reference to the transfer of property.  However, following a query from the Ratepayers Association on 11 May 2015, the municipality confirmed that all the relevant conditions had been complied with and an advocate acting on our behalf was subsequently advised that rezoning had taken place.

To date, despite requests for information over two months ago – including proof that the various conditions had been complied with -...