Cultural Affairs and Sport

Whether there are any heritage sites in the Swellendam municipal area; if so, [a] where and [b] what is their importance;

Response:

1[1]          Yes

1. See attached list.
2. Swellendam has a number of heritage resources such as archaeological and palaeontological heritage as well as old structures that may not yet have been formally identified.  Municipalities are required to identify and grade heritage resources at the time of introducing or amending their Spatial Development Frameworks.  Sites identified must then be submitted to Heritage Western Cape for approval in the form of an inventory of heritage resources.  This has not yet been done for Swellendam.

These structures were declared as National Monuments under the previous National Monuments Act [1969] based on their architectural merits.

When the National Heritage Resources Act [NHRA] was promulgated in 1999, all previously declared National Monuments were automatically accorded status as Provincial Heritage Sites. However, the legislation makes it clear that the criteria used to determine the significance of these old National Monuments may not be relevant in terms of the current needs of South Africa. As such, in terms of the NHRA, these old National Monuments are required to go through a grading process to determine their significance based on criteria relevant to the needs of South Africa, today.

Heritage Western Cape [HWC] – a public entity that falls under the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport -  is in the process of grading these old National Monuments of which the Western Cape has approximately 2500. Until HWC grades these structures, they remain Provincial Heritage Sites of significance to the whole Province.

1[2]       Whether these sites are marketed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

Response:

1[2]       The role of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and it’s public entity, Heritage Western Cape [HWC], is responsible for the conservation and management of the heritage resources situated within the boundaries of the Western Cape. While HWC supports the promotion of our significant heritage resources, it is not within our mandate to market heritage.  Such tasks are left to local tourism authorities and initiatives.

1[3]       whether any special events are planned to showcase these sites; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

Response:

1[3]        HWC has no special events planned for the resources situated within Swellendam.  Certain of the sites in Swellendam fall under the control of the Drostdy Museum which is a province aided museum affiliated to the provincial Museum Service.  As such those sites are showcased in that they are open to the public.

With regard to marketing and showcasing of heritage resources, it is important to understand that most such sites are private property.  The purpose of protecting heritage is primarily to ensure conservation for future generations.  Private owners provide their consent to declaration as provincial heritage sites and in so doing are reassured that their privacy will be maintained.  Marketing and promotion of heritage sites is hence a matter of negotiation with owners and is not the primary task of a heritage resources authority.  Protection of heritage does, however, create potential for showcasing as part of tourism and local economic development.  In protecting such sites HWC hence creates opportunity for heritage to play a role in the economy.