GRHS concerned about buildings

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Founded in 1786, this town is the 6th oldest town in South Africa and often described as the Heart of the Great Karoo.

It is one of South Africa's most cultural and heritage towns, home to more national monuments than any other town in the country, with over 220 heritage buildings and restored pre-Victorian homes.

Between 1965 and 1981, Dr Anton Rupert contributed significantly to the culture and heritage of Graaff-Reinet by actively supporting the restoration of many of the town's most significant homesteads and other buildings.

Since its establishment in 1975, the Graaff-Reinet Heritage Society, a registered conservation body, has also been involved in preserving heritage and acting as an advisory to the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality which is responsible for enforcing heritage legislation.

Members of the Graaff-Reinet Heritage Society are concerned that the municipality has not been upholding its duty to protect the town's cultural heritage resources as required by the National Heritage Resources Act.

According to Liz Buisman, one of the concerns raised by the Graaff-Reinet Heritage Society relates to the upkeep of cultural heritage resources.

"These resources should be properly maintained, with their value and history intact. Our appeal to the municipality to attend to areas of the town hall which are condemned was futile. The ladies toilets are cordoned off, but offices there are in use, so the employees have to use them.

"Metal from the War Memorial has been stolen, and parts of the wall are soaked with urine. Some privately owned heritage-listed buildings also need attention and this should be taken up with the owners."

Furthermore, in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act, special consent of the municipality is required for any alteration affecting a building listed in the heritage register.

In assessing an application for special consent, the municipality must consider the cultural significance of the building and how this could be affected by the proposed alteration, as well as any objection registered or representations made concerning the application by any registered conservation body.

In addition, a permit must be applied for from Eastern Cape Heritage Resources Agency (ECHRA) to change the facade of a heritage-listed building. The Graaff-Reinet Heritage Society believes that the municipality failed to uphold heritage legislation when a particular heritage-listed building in Parsonage Street was significantly altered without the necessary permission.

"In the event of any alteration to a heritage building, without the consent of the municipality, the municipality may require the owner to restore the building to its previous condition within a specified period.

"If the owner fails to comply with this requirements the municipality has the right to bring about the restoration itself and recover the cost thereof from the owner. This was never done."

Buisman says the alterations to the building in Parsonage Street also involved changing the facade of the building without the owner having the necessary permit. This is unlawful and should have been addressed as such.

"The Graaff-Reinet Heritage Society also finds it concerning that the municipality granted permission for alterations to a heritage-listed building on the corner of Stockenstroom- and Park Streets that involved changing the facade of the building."

According to the Heritage Society, Bennie Arends, Director of Infrastructure Services, who granted permission for these alterations admitted that a mistake was made, but it was not rectified.

"The unique architectural style of Graaff-Reinet is vital to the economy as it attracts many visitors. It is therefore, important to maintain the characteristics of the town by preventing further destruction of heritage buildings, particularly since the municipality's local economic development performance rating has been considerably low for the past number of years."

An enquiry was sent to the Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality and the response will be published as soon as it is received.

The house on the corner of Stockenstroom and Park streets. The façade facing Park Street was changed by putting in two normal steel windows. The façade facing Stockenstroom Street was also changed. Photos: Chriszanne Janse van Vuuren