Owl House Chair bows out to standing ovation

BUSINESS NEWS - For the past four years Nieu Bethesda’s Owl House Foundation has seen many progressive changes under the leadership of outgoing Chairperson Fulvio De Stefanis.

Under his tenure the very important Heritage Agreement was signed in June 2019 with the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA), guaranteeing acceptable heritage practices within the Owl House and Camel Yard ensuring that experts are consulted and utilised for the ongoing required restoration work.

Further to this, in terms of the Heritage Agreement, the foundation completed and submitted an Integrated Conservation Management Plan for The Owl House and Camel Yard which was approved by SAHRA in November 2021.

In terms of restoration work at the Owl House, the foundation continues to call on the expertise of Amanda Snyman, the elected glass expert who has visited the Owl House on several occasions this year to continue the work of glass restorations.

Another progressive achievement by the foundation was the finalisation of the conversion of the 1999 Articles of Association that governed the Owl House Foundation into a Memorandum of Incorporation in terms of the 2008 Companies Act of South Africa which was unanimously adopted within the context of the Companies Act only at the recent AGM.

Under the chairmanship of De Stefanis, the Lease Agreement with BNLM was also finalised. Perhaps the gravest risk to the foundation was that it had no security of tenure in that there existed no formal agreement between the asset owner of The Owl House, namely the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, and the Owl House Foundation.

Undoubtedly one of the most severe challenges faced by the foundation during these past four years was the Covid-19 pandemic and the disastrous effects it had on the foundation.

The pain and suffering caused by the pandemic was felt throughout the community; loss of life as well as economic strife – the crafter’s of Nieu Bethesda’s livelihoods were decimated.

The former chairman’s tenure would not be complete without mentioning the contentious issue of the Crafters Precinct. From the outset he set out to make it a priority to ensure that the Owl House Foundation implements tangible and measurable assistance to the Nieu Bethesda Crafters.

The idea of a Crafters Precinct has been discussed for many years. These discussions and meetings at all points in time, have developed with the continued input of the crafters themselves.

Many are in agreement that the crafters' dire situation of exposure to the harsh elements of the Nieu Bethesda environment needs to change but it’s the location of these structures which appears to be the main sticking point.

As it stands, during the Municipal Planning Tribunal held at the end of September 2022, the application was approved.

The Owl House crafter Jan Oudtshoorn with his cement and glass sculptures.

In his parting words on the matter, De Stefanis said: "Ultimately, this decision is left to the politics of the village and as I will no longer be on the board of directors of the Owl House Foundation, I wish the village and the board can find common ground on allowing this 'dilemma of the crafters' to be finally resolved as 'The part can never be well unless the whole is well'."

On that note, we wish you well Fulvio, and thank you for your outstanding contributions to the Owl House Foundation. Much has been achieved under your watch.

We commend you and the directors of the Owl House Foundation for persevering with the relentless administration required to achieve these pillars of accreditation, guaranteeing a firm foundation for the continued success of The Owl House Foundation and the local Nieu Bethesda community.

The foundation is pleased to announce that Andre Pierre Marais, who has notable experience working with Heritage South Africa, has been elected as the new chairman of the Owl House Foundation.

The well-known Camel Yard of The Owl House.