THE City’s renewed attention on dilapidated and hazardous 40 Wills Road in Berea has revived hope among the members of the Warwick Avenue Museum Committee of gaining access to the illegally occupied property.

In 2015, the NPO had applied to the eThekwini Municipality to lease the heritage property with plans of turning it into a museum. Years later, the property has become derelict and illegally occupied by over 30 adults and around 10 children.

Rafs Mayet, spokesperson for the Warwick Avenue Museum Committee, said the renewed attention to this issue following the Berea Mail article titled House of Hazard (published February 20) and the intervention of the DA, will get the City moving and looking at their application to take over the property which they intended to renovate to its former glory.

“Warwick was once a thriving and vibrant community, and its story deserves to be preserved and shared with future generations. Our motto is: Promote, Preserve, Educate,” said Mayet.

Also Read: Video: Crumbling Wills Rd heritage house becomes dangerous haven for dozens

The proposed Warwick Avenue Museum in Durban will focus on the Warwick Junction precinct, with history dating back to the 1870s.

Exhibits will cover a wide range of topics, including the era of the Zulu Kingdom, the arrival of Francis Farewell, the wildlife that once inhabited the area, the development of a diverse and mixed community outside the city centre, underground anti-apartheid political movements, sporting life in the area, and the eventual displacement of the community.

Mayet said extensive research undertaken by the Research of Curries and Surroundings (ROCS) team supports the committee’s vision of transforming from books and archives into a visual and educational museum experience that will also benefit the city.

“Since October 2015, however, the committee has experienced significant difficulties within the governance structures of the eThekwini Municipality. Unfortunately, our project is not the only initiative that has stalled. It is disheartening to watch the building continue to deteriorate. What is most concerning is that the municipality has never met with the committee to meaningfully discuss the matter,” said Mayet.

Also Read: City orders eviction from dilapidated Wills Rd heritage house

He added, “Such a development would have helped revitalise the area and may have prevented some of the social challenges currently affecting the precinct, including homelessness and drug addiction.

“Despite these setbacks, we remain optimistic that the Warwick Avenue Museum Committee can still make a meaningful contribution to the area and develop a local and international ‘must-see’ attraction.”

Application not yet off the table

According to the City the NPO’s application has not been declined. Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the matter was recently submitted to the relevant committee, which resolved to defer it to allow the Parks, Recreation and Culture Directorate to address issues raised during the meeting.

“Once these matters have been resolved, the report will be resubmitted through the appropriate governance structures for further consideration,” said Sisilana. She said no lease agreement can be concluded until all legal, compliance, and council approval processes have been finalised.

“The municipality acknowledges the heritage and cultural significance of the property and supports initiatives aimed at its restoration and appropriate public use. The long-term future of the building will be guided by council resolutions, heritage regulations, statutory compliance, and approved legal frameworks governing occupation and development,” said Sisilana.

She added, “The City remains committed to achieving outcomes that promote urban regeneration, heritage preservation, and the lawful management of municipal assets.”

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