Foundations preserves local heritage

On September 24, South Africa celebrated Heritage Day.

The day recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of South Africa.

Heritage is made up of the practices and traditions that are passed on from generation to generation.

Heritage is monuments, objects and culture.

It is the activities that a family takes part in, believes in, and passes on from parent to child.

The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation is a perfect example as they pride themselves in preserve history and passing it on from generation to generation.

The foundation was formed in 1985, and was called The Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust.

In 2012 it changed its name because it is now working with and covering the City of Joburg.

The aim of the JHF is to promote the interesting city’s heritage and to protect what is valuable and significant.

“We take tours to show people what is valuable from Yeoville and Troyeville to Orlando.

“We also erect blue plaques, which are placed on the boundaries of properties so that people have a chance to understand what is so significant about the buildings or place.

“These may be homes of people who contributed to the struggle, for architects who designed fine buildings, poets or events which changed our history.

“The foundation wants to foster pride in the city and its roots,” said Johannesburg Heritage Foundation chairperson, Mr Flo Bird.

This year the foundation hosted a fun tour to Cullinan on September 24, with an emphasis on mining and the architecture of the mining village.

The tour returned via the Sammy Marks Museum in Johannesburg.

“The foundation conducts tours on a regular basis and there are publications, school tours and tours for the public.

“The tours are mainly of buildings, but also includes cemeteries and on heritage weekend, we do tours to many places in Johannesburg,” said Mr Bird.

The foundation has commented on applications which involved buildings over 60 years old and they also perform surveys and gradings of buildings.

“The foundation collects history on a daily basis from people who are willing to tell their stories, from collecting newspaper articles to studying old buildings,” said Mr Bird.

“We have several researchers at our research centre. Two people work regularly at Museum Africa and one at the City of Johannesburg’s Building Survey branch. We have a range of books, cadastral maps, biographies and books about Johannesburg,” said Mr Bird.

The foundation also restores old buildings when funding is available.

“When we can find sponsors we try to restore special buildings. Last year we completed the restoration of St-Mary-the Less in Jeppestown, which is the oldest building in Johannesburg and repaired James Mpanza’s house in Orlando East including restoring the lions which were given to him by the community in recognition of his courage.

“We also planted trees behind the War Memorial to the men of Bez Valley who died in the First World War” said Mr Bird.

Johannesburg Heritage Foundation is the true spirit of Heritage passed on from generation to generation.

For more information visit www.joburgheritage.co.za