JOHANNESBURG HERITAGE WEBSITE

It is only 80 years since Johannesburg received City status, and the mining town only came into existence in 1886 with declaration of the triangle of Uitvalgrond, Randjieslaagte, was set aside for the community which was developing around the gold mining claims.

This is a good time to be celebrating Jo’burg’s heritage with its old gold mines receiving a second life, mining out what was left behind in the pillars, the Bird and Kimberley reefs.

So it is a mining town at heart, greedy and pretty ruthless, generous when the occasion calls and pretty lawless.

But it certainly has an exciting history of turbulence, exploitation and a strong labour movement, suppression and resistance, apartheid and non-racial developments. The man made scenery changes as the price of gold rises. Buildings topple with the surging economy yet the heritage sites remain, are overgrown or simply fall to pieces with neglect.  

So exploring Johannesburg’s heritage requires some of the pioneering spirit.

Join the tours organised by the Parktown and Westcliff heritage Trust.

Visit the buildings and sites that have been identified with blue and white heritage plaques.

The most important site must be Constitution Hill: The Old Fort, for most of its life a gaol. Stunning views. A history of repression is followed by the hope for all South Africans, the Constitutional Court �accessible and full of artworks. Everyone from Gandhi to Mandela was incarcerated here so follow Struggle history, working class history and gender activism, the Anglo Boer War. Even the crooks and the criminals served time here.  

Click on TOURS for a list of weekly tours.

Click: Customised tours if you want to arrange a private tour touching on your heritage interests.

Click Plaques & Art Deco Plaques, these include the Art Deco buildings in the city centre.

 

 

NEWS UPDATE!!

 

RISSIK STREET POST OFFICE FIRE FINALLY SOME ACTION TAKEN BY THE NEGLIGENT OWNERS

 

The heritage architect has only been appointed now, almost four months after the fire.

The building is rapidly disintegrating with no roof to stop the  rain water pouring in, and it has been a very wet summer.

No work was undertaken to shore up the structure, or to prop the facades which no longer have their internal walls to brace the structure of the building.

Once the Heritage assessment is finally completed (why it was not carried out immediately after the fire is unimaginable) then the redevelopment of the building will still need to go out to tender.

There are no dates forthcoming from Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) regarding when the restoration work will actually begin?

It really would seem that JPC see no urgency in pushing ahead with the restoration of this building �it seems on track to be left to rot as a sinkhole in the center of the city.

The heritage Architect is Fanuel Motsepe who restored the old Reserve Bank Building. That gives room for hope. Hic client certainly cares nothing about heritage buildings.

 

To get to Parktown and Westcliff the historic suburbs and homes of the elite see: www.parktownheritage.co.za

 

 

Set up to retain the historic architectural heritage of Parktown and Westcliff, the Trust tries to make this heritage accessible through tours of the buildings and the area, publications and special programmes for school children.

It is a fund-raising organisation and donations are most welcome.

Contact Details

	+27-11-482-3349 weekdays between 09:00 and 13:00 (GMT+2) or use that number to leave a message or send a fax to (011) 482 7807 .
	Northwards 21 Rockridge Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2193;
	parktown@intekom.co.za www.joburgheritage.co.za
	Visit our office at the same address, weekdays between 09.00�3.00

 

Last Edit : 29/03/2011